Cody Rhodes’ brutal match with Randy Orton at Saturday Night’s Main Event had fans convinced a heel turn was finally coming, but a new report suggests that’s not actually the plan.
According to WrestleVotes, WWE currently has no intention of fully turning Rhodes heel, even though the possibility hasn’t been permanently ruled out.
The reasoning reportedly comes down largely to money. Rhodes remains one of WWE’s biggest merchandise sellers, and the company isn’t willing to risk that revenue for the sake of a more compelling television story, however much creative upside a heel turn might carry.
That doesn’t mean Rhodes stays exactly as he’s been, though. WWE is said to be open to leaning into a darker, more aggressive edge to his character without fully flipping his alignment. It is a direction that lines up with what played out against Orton, where the match spiraled into a violent brawl involving Rhodes’ family.
Rhodes battered Orton with steel steps and repeated strikes and hit two Cross Rhodes before Orton begged off, only for Orton to sneak in a low blow and secure the win with an RKO.
For now, it sounds like fans should expect an edgier Cody Rhodes rather than a fully heel one.
