Imagining Heel Cody Rhodes After WWE WrestleMania 42

Since WrestleMania 38, where Cody Rhodes returned as The American Nightmare, WWE fans have seen only one version of him, and it may be time to explore a new version.

WWE fans have not seen Rhodes embrace a darker side since his first run in the company, yet his time as a heel delivered some of the best early moments of his career.

Currently, The American Nightmare is the top star in WWE, but fans are beginning to turn against him due to the fairly common babyface fatigue with top guys.

Rhodes has a chance to quickly respond to that fan backlash and keep himself fresh with a dramatic turn at WrestleMania 42.

Would this be the right move for The American Nightmare? Could WWE thrive with Rhodes as a new top heel?

Why Turn Rhodes?

Rhodes was the biggest star in wrestling at WrestleMania 40, capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship from Roman Reigns with complete fan support.

Two years later, the shine is off The American Nightmare. Even while Randy Orton attacks him and aligns with Pat McAfee, the crowd still supports The Viper in his pursuit of a career-defining 15th world championship.

WrestleMania audiences, which often include many international fans, are rarely accommodating and will likely support Orton over Rhodes.

WWE is heavily committed to The American Nightmare as the babyface going into this matchup, but the crowd may necessitate him playing more of a villain.

It would be a true lasting 'Mania moment if Rhodes committed to that heel focus and left with his title in spite of the crowd.

The alternative is Orton defeating Rhodes and trying to sell his new heel persona to crowds that are still more invested in The Viper as a violent tweener again.

How Would WWE Deliver a Rhodes Heel Turn?

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Randy Orton and Pat McAfee's partnership could sow the seeds for Cody Rhodes' heel turn.

Rhodes will walk into a fight with Orton where WWE is putting all the heat on the man at ringside, McAfee.

While the former NFL punter has chosen to support The Viper, that pairing already feels wrong. The dynamic does not work.

Perhaps the reason is that McAfee fits better as the hype man for a corporate-heel American Nightmare.

With fans rooting on Orton at WrestleMania 42, Rhodes can grow increasingly more violent and underhanded in a rare double-turn match.

By the end, it would be easy to sell fans on the idea that this is a different American Nightmare, who has grown desperate to stay on top no matter what.

This could even include Stephanie McMahon backing Rhodes, who lived up to her advice on tapping into a dirtier side to stay on top.

What Would a Heel Rhodes Look Like?

Following a victory over Orton at WrestleMania 42, the corporate-interference teases could easily pay off in creating a new corporate champion.

While Rhodes has played the heel before, from Dashing to Undashing to even Stardust, none of those gimmicks work for The American Nightmare.

Instead, he should look more to his WrestleMania 40 rival and the man who tried to turn him heel last year, The Rock.

The American Nightmare can be an obnoxious obstacle for everyone in WWE, especially backed up by Pat McAfee, Stephanie McMahon and even TKO as a whole.

This version of Rhodes would be the man "the company needs" and could even echo another man in charge by delivering a new "Reign of Terror" at the expense of the current WWE roster.

The Landscape of WWE with a Heel Rhodes

The next champion of SmackDown should be a heel based on who is stepping up to the world champion next.

Following a likely win against Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu is the obvious next man up with a previously built history with Rhodes that has yet to be fully explored.

Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov are both exciting babyfaces in need of an opportunity. Trick Williams is on the verge of a babyface turn. Damian Priest has main event upside with the right rival.

CM Punk could even make the jump based on how he fares against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42, given his passionate pipebomb promo that railed against Orton and McAfee.

A corporate heel role could also set up a new stable, launching underused heels such as The Street Profits, Johnny Gargano and Grayson Waller. It could also help elevate a newly turning Sami Zayn as a villain.

Whether the champion is Rhodes or Orton, the babyfaces lined up can create an exciting title run for the heel champ.

However, The American Nightmare would be the more interesting option, as Orton hunting the title is more compelling than Rhodes chasing again.

This is the Best Path Forward for WWE

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Cody Rhodes and Stephanie McMahon may align in a heel pairing post-WrestleMania 42.

WWE needs to take big swings at WrestleMania 42 to get fans invested again, and there is no bigger swing than turning Rhodes heel.

This would not be the first time WWE has made such a big change with the face of the company, but this is a moment when everything has aligned to make it feel right.

The American Nightmare cannot stay in this generic, fiery babyface role when the crowd is actively choosing even veterans over him.

It could affect Rhodes' short-term ability to connect with the younger audience, but it will freshen him up as a whole.

Falling into a corporate-heel role with obnoxious stars behind him would force other babyfaces, such as Fatu, who just need that shot, to step up.