Fans pleading with WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes to turn to the dark side can stand down for a while longer. A fan on X reacted to a clip of Rhodes short

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has responded to fans calling for him to embrace his darker side once again.

WWE SmackDown after Crown Jewel 2025 ended with Cody Rhodes suffering a loss via disqualification against Drew McIntyre.

The hunter is the hunted on WWE SmackDown, and the champ is angry. "The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu's hopes to challenge undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes were crushed after Fatu was discovered bloodied, beaten and missing teeth backstage.

Cody Rhodes has yet to turn heel since returning to WWE in 2022. Could the American Nightmare be pondering the dark side?

Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, has maintained his dominance over the WWE roster for months. Although the American Nightmare suffered a pinfall loss to Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel this week, Rollins’ injury could prevent him from being recognized as the company’s new top star, allowing Cody Rhodes to remain the face of the industry.

Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre at Wrestlepalooza on Saturday to retain the WWE Championship. After beating John Cena at SummerSlam to become a two-time WWE champion, Rhodes joined forces with Cena on the Aug. 8 episode of SmackDown.

Cody Rhodes could enter WrestleMania 42 as WWE Champion and there is a potential challenger who could finish his story by turning heel.

One member of that cast is current WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who will play the classic character Guile. In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rhodes confirmed that Guile would pull off all his signature moves in the movie, and also revealed that he insisted on doing all the movie’s physical work himself. Rhodes said;

Cody Rhodes has been the top babyface in WWE since returning WrestleMania 38. Though Rhodes has maintained his position as the top babyface, fans have called for a potential heel turn.

Friday's chaotic "WWE SmackDown" broadcast ended with all formalities dashed, as Cody Rhodes turned an unsanctioned brawl with Drew McIntyre into a title match.