Cody Rhodes is standing at a pivotal moment in his career. Fresh off reclaiming the WWE Championship in a brutal SummerSlam Street Fight against John Cena, he’s locked in as the company’s top babyface. Backstage sources say there’s no rush to change that. The idea of turning him heel isn’t even on the table right now WWE wants to ride the wave of crowd support he’s earned.
Off-screen, Rhodes is stepping into new territory. His role as Guile in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter film starts filming soon, but insiders are confident it won’t disrupt his WWE run. While other top stars like Roman Reigns will also be in front of the cameras this year, Rhodes’s shoot schedule is expected to be far lighter.
Keeping the crowd in his corner
He knows the danger of disappearing too long. He’s said himself that extended absences can weaken the bond he’s built with fans. WWE is well aware of that, which is why they’re working to keep him present, even as Hollywood calls.
Merchandise sales are another factor. As one insider put it, it’s hard to sell a smiling Rhodes action figure if he’s being booked as the bad guy on TV. Creative wants to avoid that whiplash. That’s part of why they scrapped any real push for the heel turn The Rock reportedly suggested earlier this year.
At SummerSlam, there were whispers of a possible double turn Rhodes leaning heel, Cena going face but WWE ultimately kept them both in their current roles. The match ended as a clean, definitive victory for Rhodes, cementing him as the face fans can rally behind.
For now, he is balancing championship duties with a growing profile in Hollywood. WWE seems happy to let him do both, as long as it doesn’t pull him away from the ring for too long.