Following his stirring Undisputed WWE Championship victory over John Cena at SummerSlam Night Two, Cody Rhodes firmly addressed widespread speculation about a potential heel turn. During the SummerSlam post-show media scrum, Rhodes dispelled rumors of a shift to villainy, emphasizing his commitment to his current character while opening up about the deeply personal choice to incorporate his late father Dusty Rhodes’ voice in his entrance music.

Cody Rhodes’ comments came amid rampant fan theories anticipating a dramatic “double turn” during SummerSlam 2025, where Cena was rumored to revert to face status and Rhodes to turn heel. However, Rhodes rejected the idea on multiple platforms, including a recent appearance on the Gabby AF podcast, stating that such a pivot would be harmful to WWE and to his own connection with fans. “People talk about, ‘Oh, I bet they’re going to do this double turn.’ No,” Rhodes said. “I think, to take a page out of [Cena’s] book, if they think I’m a heel, then I’m a heel. To me, I’m not changing my game. It would be detrimental to the place I work to make a pivot. No more Kingdom, no more promos, no more merch. Real bad guy stuff.” He added that although he is aware that sometimes the audience’s perception can change, he sees himself remaining steadfast as a babyface[1][4].

This stance was further elaborated upon during his candid chat on The Bill Simmons Podcast, where Rhodes noted the challenge but significance of being a babyface in today’s wrestling landscape. While opposing sides of the internet clamor for a heel turn as an easy route to garner reaction, Rhodes emphasized the authentic bond he shares with fans since his return to WWE after his AEW tenure. “If certain people decide, ‘Yeah, Cody’s a heel to me,’ that’s fine. But I don’t think I’d ever turn, because there’s just too much of a connection with the people who were on board with me from the beginning,” he explained[3].

Central to Rhodes’ current presentation is his emotional homage to his family legacy. Post-match at SummerSlam, Rhodes revealed that the decision to use recordings of Dusty Rhodes speaking in his entrance was a heartfelt choice aimed at keeping his father’s memory alive in WWE and in the hearts of fans. This tribute resonated powerfully with the WWE Universe, connecting Cody’s personal history with his professional journey as the “American Nightmare.” According to insiders close to Rhodes, this auditory nod to Dusty is more than just soundbites—it’s a foundation for the character’s motivation and inspiration within WWE programming[WWE.com, reported sources].

The ongoing storyline leading to SummerSlam featured John Cena’s recent return to the babyface role following a controversial heel run beginning at WrestleMania 41. Cena’s heartfelt promo on SmackDown’s go-home show highlighted his renewed commitment to the true John Cena persona, thus fueling speculation about a possible double turn in the marquee Street Fight match. Despite these shocks, Rhodes stepping away from a heel turn preserves the narrative consistency and allows the feud to focus on personal pride and respect rather than character reinvention[2].

Experts from Fightful and WrestleZone concur that Rhodes’ refusal to turn heel underscores WWE’s creative direction for him as a long-term babyface figure, especially with Cena’s WWE tenure winding down. A heel turn now would risk destabilizing fan investment and character integrity. WWE insiders suggest that management is prioritizing Rhodes’ authentic connection over manufactured heat, signaling that the American Nightmare’s journey remains anchored in legacy and resilience rather than betrayal or villainy[1][4].

As the WWE Universe digests Rhodes’ triumph and his clear message, the question remains whether perceptions may slowly shift as storylines evolve. For now, Cody Rhodes stands firm as a babyface champion who honors his family legacy while rejecting the lure of turning heel. His use of Dusty Rhodes’ voice serves as a poignant reminder of his roots amid the high stakes of WWE’s biggest summer event.

This steadfast approach highlights Rhodes’ strategic and emotional mindset heading into the rest of WWE’s calendar year, promising a compelling mix of athleticism, storytelling, and heartfelt tribute. Fans can anticipate that Rhodes’ character will continue to evolve organically, driven by passion and respect rather than a forced character turn.

Sources close to WWE confirm that Cody’s focus remains on delivering memorable performances and connecting authentically with fans, a philosophy likely to shape WWE programming through the remainder of 2025 and beyond.

For exclusive updates on Cody Rhodes, John Cena, and WWE SummerSlam 2025, stay tuned to WWE.com, Fightful, and leading wrestling podcasts.