WWE reportedly has no plans for a Cody Rhodes heel turn.
During Monday’s WrestleVotes Live Q&A on Fightful Select, WrestleVotes was asked whether the recent events involving Randy Orton could lead to a full character change for Rhodes.
“In the moment, don’t see a full heel turn for Cody Rhodes. It’s not in the cards. Haven’t heard it. There are many reasons for that.”
One of those reasons reportedly comes down to Rhodes’ merchandise value.
“One being he is extremely popular with people who spend money on merchandise, and that goes a long way. The analytics matter.”
“You’re not gonna take a guy like that and switch him and lose millions and millions of dollars for the benefit of the television. The story should come first, but that’s not how they think about it.”
That doesn’t mean Rhodes will stick with the same presentation, though. WrestleVotes left the door open for WWE to explore a more aggressive version of the character without going through with a full heel turn.
“A darker side, maybe.”
Rhodes and Orton’s feud picked back up at SummerSlam on August 1, when Orton returned and interfered in Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship match against CM Punk, helping Punk retain.
The tension came to a head at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. During the match, Rhodes had the chance to hit a Punt Kick on Orton but stopped when Orton begged him not to. Orton capitalized, hitting a low blow and an RKO to pick up the win.