Cody Rhodes’s Run As WWE’s Top Babyface Comes Under Fire

The debate over Cody Rhodes’ long-term positioning as WWE‘s top babyface has reached the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, where Disco Inferno and Konnan had a candid back-and-forth about whether Rhodes is truly connecting with audiences — and who should be carrying the company’s hero role instead.

Disco Inferno was direct about his belief that a heel turn for Rhodes is overdue. “The decision should have been Cody turning in my opinion,” he said. When Konnan pushed back, arguing Rhodes is still over enough to be the number one guy, Inferno disagreed. “I don’t think he is. That’s the thing. That’s fake. He’s not very over.”

Disco Inferno Proposes Roman Reigns as WWE’s Number One Babyface Over Cody Rhodes

The conversation took a striking turn when Konnan asked Inferno who should be the company’s top babyface if not Rhodes. “Roman Reigns,” Inferno replied without hesitation. It’s a provocative suggestion given Reigns’ decade-long run as a heel authority figure — but one that aligns with the crowd reactions Reigns has been generating since his return, particularly in Boston where he was cheered despite attacking CM Punk.

Rhodes himself addressed the importance of fan connection on his What Do You Wanna Talk About podcast, emphasizing that getting to know a performer makes their work more meaningful. “There’s a connection to it,” Rhodes said, pointing to Je’Von Evans as an example of a performer whose personality amplifies his in-ring style. “Getting to know Je’Von makes you even more excited about the reinventive style. Because now you have a hope — ‘I hope he hits it.'” Whether the broader audience shares that connection with Rhodes heading into WrestleMania 42 remains the central question around his championship run.