Cody Rhodes Talks Heel Turn, WWE Rumors on Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Gunther and Belair

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Rhodes Talks Ideas for Potential Heel Turn

Cody Rhodes is the biggest babyface in WWE, but if he were to turn heel at some point, he has some unique ideas for how he would get fans to hate him.

During an appearance Thursday on ESPN's First Take (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), Rhodes expressed uncertainty regarding whether he would be a good heel, but he shared some of his ideas regardless:

"I always like to say in what we do, never say never. And the more you're in this, it's probably likely. But I think my version of a heel is just way too … I don't know. I wouldn't have music. The song would go away. The entrance would go away. I'd try to get myself canceled. I don't know if it would even translate."

Rhodes went on to add that he doesn't "see it happening any time soon," in reference to a heel turn.

Ever since his return to WWE at WrestleMania 38, Rhodes has been arguably the most beloved Superstar on the roster, and that was only solidified when John Cena shockingly turned heel on him at Elimination Chamber.

Since dropping the WWE Championship to Cena at WrestleMania 41, fans have been behind Cody in his pursuit to win it back, and he will attempt to do precisely that Sunday at SummerSlam.

Given that Rhodes vs. Cena is a street fight, it feels like something big may happen in terms of interference or some type of major angle, such as The Rock showing up.

The Rock essentially tried to get Rhodes to turn heel earlier this year in the form of selling his soul, but Cody refused.

If faced with the option again, perhaps there is a chance Rhodes could accept at SummerSlam, which would turn the entire WWE landscape on its head.

Reported Plans for Rollins' MITB Cash-In

While it is unclear what will happen at SummerSlam, original plans reportedly called for Seth Rollins to cash in his Money in the Bank contract at WWE's biggest show of the summer.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WrestleTalk's Dave Adamson), WWE initially discussed Rollins cashing in after the World Heavyweight Championship match between Gunther and CM Punk on Night 1 of SummerSlam on Saturday.

Meltzer noted that while it has not been confirmed that WWE is still going to move in that direction, it was still the plan even a week after Rollins seemingly injured his knee during a match against LA Knight at Saturday Night's Main Event on July 12.

During that match, Rollins appeared to tweak his knee off a springboard attempt, and he required medical attention. Rollins got to his feet and the match quickly ended when Knight hit him with a BFT.

Days later, Rollins appeared on the Rich Eisen Show wearing a walking boot and using crutches.

Rollins said he felt his knee "pop and buckle" during the match, and added that he expected to be "out for an extended period of time."

However, rumors and speculation quickly spread regarding whether the injury was actually a work and WWE's way of setting up for a surprise cash-in.

Bryan Alvarez said on Wrestling Observer Live (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News) that he was told Rollins was dealing with only a "minor" knee injury, which necessitated WWE doing an injury angle to give him a short amount of time off.

Alvarez also said the angle would lead to Rollins returning more quickly than fans expect, potentially to cash in his MITB contract.

If that is indeed the case, SummerSlam makes perfect sense, and the Gunther vs. Punk match would be the perfect target, particularly if Punk wins.

Punk and Rollins have been at odds ever since Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series 2023, and Rollins cashing in on him would write another chapter in their saga.

Belair Reportedly Closing In on WWE Return

After missing more than three months of action due to a finger injury, Bianca Belair reportedly may be on the verge of returning to in-ring action.

According to WrestleVotes, Belair is "closing in" on a return and is expected to be cleared at some point next week.

It was noted that while she won't be cleared in time to get physical at SummerSlam this weekend, she could be back as soon as next week's SmackDown.

During a spectacular Triple Threat match for the Women's World Championship against Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley, Belair broke some fingers, necessitating a lengthy break from WWE programming.

Belair has appeared on a couple of occasions since then, including a segment with Jade Cargill and Naomi in her home state of Tennessee on SmackDown, and at Evolution where she served as special guest referee for Cargill vs. Naomi.

Given her involvement in the storyline between Cargill and Naomi, it would make sense for Bianca to return and enter straight into a rivalry with one of them.

Belair was Jade's tag team partner before Naomi attacked and injured her unbeknownst to The EST. Bianca then teamed with Naomi until Cargill came back and revealed Naomi as her mystery attacker.

It is possible Naomi and Jade could both leave SummerSlam as champions since Naomi is defending the women's world title against Sky and Ripley, and Cargill is challenging Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women's Championship.

Belair would be the ideal opponent for either of them, and there is little doubt that Belair deserves to instantly jump back into the title mix.