Add as a preferred source on Google CM Punk is not expected to turn heel for his Undisputed WWE Championship program with Cody Rhodes.
Self Made Pro reported on Self Made Sessions #43 that Punk initially planned to work heel whenever the long-discussed program with Rhodes came together. Punk viewed himself as the Terry Funk to Rhodes’ Dusty Rhodes, placing Cody in the clear babyface role.
That direction is no longer expected because Punk remains too popular with WWE crowds. The report said his current reactions make a turn unlikely, even as the SummerSlam build has given both men a harder edge.
Punk recently made the same point publicly on WWE Radio. He said the audience ultimately decides who is a babyface or heel and argued that he would still be cheered if he tried to play the black hat.
Rhodes is in a different position. Self Made Pro also reported that his alignment is completely up to him and that WWE is ready to turn him heel whenever he gives the word.
WWE has kept Punk and Rhodes on the babyface side through the build. Punk accidentally caught Rhodes with the title after they beat Gunther and Sami Zayn at Saturday Night’s Main Event, while their July 24 SmackDown promo made the title program increasingly personal.
Punk will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Rhodes on Night 1 of SummerSlam this Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The two are scheduled for one final face-to-face on Friday’s go-home SmackDown.