WWE

The Rock’s New Ally Could Be Revealed at WWE Night of Champions

Speculation is growing about a potential heel turn for Cody Rhodes, a move that would mark his first since 2016 and could see him align with The Rock.

Leonardo Cunha
The Rock’s New Ally Could Be Revealed at WWE Night of Champions

A significant shift could be on the horizon for the WWE main event scene, centering on the possibility of Cody Rhodes embracing a heel persona for the first time in nearly a decade. This potential turn could realign him with the storyline machinations of The Rock, who has been absent from programming since the Elimination Chamber event in early 2025.

The immediate speculation points toward the King of the Ring Tournament final at Night of Champions, where Rhodes is scheduled to face Randy Orton. A turn against Orton in that high-profile match could serve as the catalyst for this new direction.

Such a move would tie directly back to the offer The Rock extended to Rhodes earlier in the year to become his “Corporate Champion,” a proposition Rhodes initially rejected. The storyline took a different path when John Cena turned on Rhodes to join The Rock, establishing Cena as the company’s top heel. A turn by Rhodes could now precipitate a face turn for Cena, setting up a complex web of new rivalries.

The Rock’s return to WWE programming in early 2025 was a central part of the company’s new era, which included headlining the debut of WWE RAW on Netflix. His involvement in the WrestleMania storyline with Rhodes and Cena fundamentally altered the creative landscape, and his lingering influence remains a key factor.

Rhodes himself has fueled these rumors. During a recent interview with Kay Adams, he acknowledged that things might have gone differently if The Rock had his way, suggesting a heel turn was a distinct possibility under those circumstances.

The long-term implications of this potential move are substantial. It could create the foundation for a main event program between Rhodes and a newly babyface Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Furthermore, it could pave the way for a highly anticipated retirement match for Cena against The Rock, while also igniting a personal feud between Rhodes and an injured Randy Orton.

While this scenario presents a compelling creative direction, it remains purely speculative. The narrative hinges on Rhodes’ actions at Night of Champions and the eventual re-insertion of The Rock into WWE storylines.