WWE Rumors on Cody Rhodes Heel Turn, Drew McIntyre's Title Win and Trish Stratus' Future

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

Cody Rhodes Character Change Coming Soon

After Cody Rhodes lost the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre on SmackDown this past Friday, many began to speculate that a potential heel turn could be in the works for him.

However, it sounds like it's safe to pump the brakes on hoping for Rhodes to assume the villain role, but that doesn't mean that there won't be some changes. Cory Hayes of Bodyslam.net reported that Rhodes' character will soon start showing a different side of himself.

"Not a turn, but a character shift," Hayes said when asked about Rhodes' next move (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News).

WWE shook things up to start the New Year when McIntyre emerged victorious over Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell Match. Jacob Fatu returned from injury and attacked both wrestlers during their cage match in the final stage, but McIntyre was able to escape the cage while Rhodes was occupied.

Fans have been begging for Rhodes to evolve from the quintessential babyface that he's been since he returned to WWE in 2022. It sounds like The American Nightmare will be bringing out the dark side a little bit more as he tries to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Details on Drew McIntyre's Championship Win Revealed

WWE fans were shocked to see the company end the title reign of Cody Rhodes when Drew McIntyre defeated him for the Undisputed WWE Championship, and details about the creative plans behind the decision have emerged.

A recent report from BodySlam.net (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News) revealed that the finish of the Three Stages of Hell Match that saw Jacob Fatu interfere and cost Rhodes his title against McIntyre was finalized just hours before the start of SmackDown. Multiple ideas reportedly were pitched for the finish, but WWE opted to roll with McIntyre winning and informed the Superstars involved in the main event just a few hours before the show.

The report further stated that the last-minute decision "wasn't random" (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News). Instead, it's expected that McIntyre's surprise win will set the stage for the road to WrestleMania 42.

"It was part of a larger creative strategy — one that opens the door for several storyline directions leading into the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and eventually WrestleMania," Upton explained. "With McIntyre now holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, the road ahead is intentionally unpredictable, giving the company room to adjust based on momentum, reactions, and returns."

It sounds like there are more surprises in store for the next few months, so WWE fans will surely be excited for what's to come.

Trish Stratus Reportedly Could Return in 2026

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus made only a few in-ring appearances in 2025, but it sounds like she could be more active this year.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported in a recent Q&A that the door is open for Stratus to return to the ring following her limited matches in 2025.

"There were a lot of people around her and in WWE that were very surprised she didn't wrestle more throughout the year," Sapp said (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News).

WWE reportedly had internal discussions about a celebration of Stratus' 25-year anniversary with the company, but it never came to fruition. Her most recent match was her loss to former WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton at the Evolution premium live event on July 13.

"The expectation that we'd heard was that WWE would do some sort of '25 Years of Trish Stratus' thing, and it just didn't happen," Sapp continued. "People that I speak to say she's always pitched things over the years, and has been very easy to deal with and made herself available when needed."

Still, Sapp suggested that Stratus won't be returning to retirement just yet, so she could have a say in the road to WrestleMania.

"I think we'll see her at some point in 2026," Sapp said.