5 Clear signs that Cody Rhodes is finally turning heel after Nick Aldis threatens to strip him of WWE Championship

Cody Rhodes' feuds with WWE stars Kevin Owens and Drew McIntyre have pushed him to the limit in 2025. The valiant and courageous hero still exists, but as each feud progressed, Rhodes exhibited more heel-like tendencies.

His attack on McIntyre at his home while Nick Aldis was negotiating a peace treaty was even more proof that a big change could be in store for WWE's golden boy.

The Scottish Warrior did attack The American Nightmare on his bus, but he brings it to every arena and show. It puts anyone riding on it at risk.

Despite portraying the guy who always does the right thing, the next five signs indicate that Cody Rhodes is finally turning heel after Aldis threatened to strip him of the WWE Championship.

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#5. His frustrations are boiling over

Heroes try to do things the right way, and only resort to underhanded tactics when they're pushed too far. It's the sign of a good guy in wrestling, and with each attack or big moment ruined, Rhodes has slowly lost his resolve.

People can only take so much before they finally snap. It's the reason for the saying "the straw that broke the camel's back."

Letting things out at intervals is probably healthier, but when Rhodes gets the same results with his dealings, he resorts to drastic measures like invading McIntyre while he's at home.

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#4. His words with Nick Aldis on SmackDown

Nick Aldis has given Rhodes a lot of slack when dealing with McIntyre. Whenever McIntyre attacks Rhodes or does something bad, he gets fined, suspended, or threatened.

Rhodes does the same thing, but has rarely been admonished for his actions. This changed after the WWE Champion went to his rival's home and attacked police officers.

Aldis claimed he couldn't punish Rhodes since it didn't occur at a WWE event, but employers punish employees all the time for illegal actions outside the workplace. He also said Cody was proving Drew right and forcing his hand.

After claiming Rhodes wasn't above the law, the champ said as long as he has the title, he is the law, and that Aldis works for him. Those are heel words from a guy who's supposed to be the biggest hero in the company.

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#3. Drew McIntyre's claims gain more steam each week

Heels usually just attack the good guys without much reason or provocation other than "he beat me." With Rhodes' feuds against Owens and McIntyre, however, there are levels of grey.

Owens was upset that his friend had no problem teaming with a guy (Roman Reigns) who brutalized him for four years. When Cody wouldn't acknowledge that, it forced Owens' hand.

McIntyre has been screwed out of major titles numerous times, including against Reigns. With CM Punk, he was the author of his own demise half the time. Aldis doesn't punish Rhodes, even if he cheats.

This happened when he dumped McIntyre on the title belt while the ref was down in a match where he'd be stripped if he was disqualified. The Scottish Warrior isn't off the hook for all of his actions, but his words have some reason behind them.

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#2. Cody Rhodes is stale as the WWE Champion again

The best thing for WWE during John Cena's Retirement Tour would have been if a star like Bron Breakker or LA Knight won the Undisputed Championship from Cena instead of Cody.

Rhodes' victory just set things back to how they were before WrestleMania 41. Fans got the same feuds and same promos from the former AEW star.

This has caused Cody to become stale and predictable due to WWE's unwillingness to let someone else run with the ball. These actions and staleness would be easier to digest if he were a heel, as his opponents would be different.

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#1. A heel turn would be the jolt he and WWE need

As mentioned above, despite Rhodes' popularity, he's become stagnant by repeating the same cycle in his feuds and repeating the same promos. He's the top star in the company, and needs something different to do.

A heel turn would greatly shake things up on SmackDown, giving the fans a new look than the previous three years.

WWE is also in a lull period between the holidays and the Royal Rumble. WarGames underwhelmed due to over-reliance on the Bloodline.

They'll stack things for the RAW on Netflix anniversary show. The product has been average at best lately. A huge heel turn, like John Cena's, would reset the deck and open up storytelling to kick off 2026.

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Edited by Matthew Serocki