I’ve been mulling this one over, over the weekend. And whilst I thought maybe it was just me, it turns out pretty much everyone is on the same page, online.

So, either the writing and story beats are plain to see. Or we’re all getting worked-up over nothing. Is Cody Rhodes going to make a heel-turn after years of being QB1?

The face of the WWE (whether you think he’s worthy or not is a different discussion), golden boy might be going bad. I think it’s about time, and will actually be more telling as to whether or not he’s a good performer when he’s allowed to flex a little more character.

Cody Rhodes

The WWE Universe is buzzing, and not just from the usual Friday night excitement. Following the October 17, 2025, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, the burning question on every fan’s lips is: Has Cody Rhodes finally turned heel?

The “American Nightmare,” long hailed as one of WWE’s premier babyfaces, displayed an aggression and disregard for the rules that has sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and left us all wondering if we’re witnessing the dawn of a new, darker era for the Undisputed WWE Champion.

What happened?

The evening began with anticipation for a pivotal main event: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu, a clash designed to crown the next #1 contender for Cody’s prestigious title. However, the wrestling gods, or perhaps something more sinister, had other plans. Jacob Fatu was discovered brutally attacked backstage, throwing the entire card into disarray. Hopefully Jacob Fatu survived, after rumours swirled last week about him potentially being out of action for quite some time, due to health issues.

Enter Cody Rhodes.

An uncharacteristically furious Cody, clearly not buying Drew McIntyre’s claims of innocence, wasted no time. He stormed to the ring, a man possessed, and issued an immediate, impromptu challenge to McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

The stakes were suddenly astronomical, and the tension was palpable.

The match, as expected, quickly spiraled into a chaotic brawl. Both men threw caution to the wind, but it was Cody’s actions that truly stunned the crowd and set the internet ablaze.

In a moment of pure, unadulterated rage, Cody Rhodes intentionally struck Drew McIntyre with his own championship belt. The referee had no choice but to call for the bell, disqualifying the champion and costing him the match.

But the story didn’t end there. This wasn’t just a moment of frustration; it was a declaration. Cody, far from showing remorse, continued his assault on McIntyre after the bell, displaying a viciousness rarely, if ever, seen from the “Grandson of a Plumber.” He dove onto McIntyre and the security guards attempting to break up the melee, a man completely consumed by his fury.

Heel tactics

The intentional use of a foreign object to cause a disqualification is a time-honored tactic of professional wrestling’s villains. For a superstar who has built his career on resilience, honor, and “finishing the story,” this calculated act of aggression is a stark departure.

While one could argue it was righteous anger on behalf of his friend Jacob Fatu, the sheer intensity and “ballistic” nature of Cody’s attack transcended mere defense.

For weeks, fans have speculated about the immense pressure on Cody as champion. Has the weight of expectation finally broken him? Has the darkness that always lurked just beneath the surface of the “American Nightmare” finally emerged?

This shocking display on SmackDown has all the hallmarks of a classic heel turn. The crowd reactions, the post-match violence, the blatant disregard for rules – it all paints a picture of a champion who is perhaps no longer interested in being the hero.

Getting interesting?

I recently spent a long time writing an article about the state of WWE in 2025. Just before Crown Jewel. It never got published because a lot of my complaints are seemingly being addressed right now.

Cody never really did anything for me, I don’t get the hype. He seems like a solid dude in real life, and I’m pleased he’s having a great career post-AEW. But his current run is pretty vanilla and I’d like to think there’s more to him. All being well, this will be the start of something a bit more fun and interesting.

Is this the beginning of a darker, more ruthless Cody Rhodes? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: The landscape of WWE just got a whole lot more interesting. The American Nightmare might just be living up to his name, in the most unexpected way possible.

Do you think he’s making the turn?