WWE Survivor Series 2011: Cody Rhodes' Massive Pop Will Lead to Face Run

Last night at Survivor Series, there were three WWE superstars who received massive pops from the New York City crowd. The first was The Rock, in a close second was Zack Ryder, and in a surprising third was Cody Rhodes.  

Yes, the former dashing one who used to look into a mirror on the Titantron before he came to the ring. As soon as the crowd at Madison Square Garden heard Rhodes’ music hit, they exploded for the intercontinental champion. This probably was as surprising to Rhodes as it was to WWE management.  

However, the WWE should have listened to the crowd at Madison Square Garden last night and start to give Rhodes more of a face push.  

Smackdown is littered with talented superstars that could play the role of a heel to Rhodes. He could start up a great feud with Wade Barrett, Mark Henry or a returning Christian once he heals up from his ankle injury.  

Where Smackdown is lacking is in their face department. After the Big Show, who is the next big face on the roster? Daniel Bryan could be considered the next big face, however we won’t see anything from him until the build for WrestleMania XXVIII. Maybe Randy Orton, but we have seen him at the top of the Smackdown card for too long. 

Having Rhodes as a big face on the Smackdown side of the roster would give a breath of fresh air to the world title scene. Mark Henry is getting stale in his title defenses with the likes of Big Show and, potentially, Randy Orton.  

With Rhodes playing the chasing face to the heel champion in Henry, it would make for a great story to putting Cody over as someone to lead the WWE into the future.  

The start to Cody’s rise into face territory should start with a feud over the intercontinental title with Wade Barrett. They could argue who was more responsible for their team’s victory at Survivor Series. 

From there, they can have a nice stretch of matches at Tables, Ladders & Chairs and the Royal Rumble for the intercontinental title where Barrett wins the title off of Rhodes. It will then free up Cody to move on to the main event scene with the WWE universe behind him. 

His face push has to start somewhere, and it seems like after last night at Survivor Series it started in New York City at Madison Square Garden. 

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