Cody Rhodes is at a crossroads. After losing the WWE Undisputed Championship to Drew McIntyre in a “Three Stages of Hell” match—and being contractually locked out of a rematch—he has been forced to enter the Royal Rumble to claw his way back to the top. However, according to WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, Rhodes isn’t just fighting for a title; he’s fighting for the crowd’s affection.
A “Heelish” Turn?
Speaking on Busted Open, Henry pointed out that the reaction to Rhodes has shifted. He noted that the London crowd at the OVO Arena Wembley booed Rhodes loudly, a sign that his “white meat babyface” persona has eroded into something darker.
“Cody gets to travel the less popular road now. One of the things that I’ve said with Cody is, Cody has established himself as a tweener. He’s kind of been very heelish. This is the road he has to travel, where he has to re-earn the respect and admiration of the fans because of the journey he’s taken.”
Rhodes has delivered increasingly aggressive promos recently, hinting at a potential full-blown heel turn. As he attempts to “rebuild himself” on the Road to WrestleMania, navigating this mixed crowd reaction will be his biggest challenge.
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