Jul 12, 6:30 PM
Turning Cody Rhodes heel: How, why, and when
Cageside Seats
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JULY 10: Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face off during SmackDown at Paycom Center on July 10, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. | ((Photo: Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images) A post-match celebration at a recent WWE live event may have given a glimpse of how WWE could turn Cody Rhodes heel. On Saturday, Rhodes teamed with CM Punk in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to defeat Gunther and Ricky Saints. Afterward, Rhodes carried Punk around on his shoulders before gently setting the Undisputed WWE Champion down on the second rope. The Champ and the Nightmare celebrating ❤️ 📸: totallytawnyy | IG pic.twitter.com/U8rLcqTrwD — Teffo (@Teffo_01) July 12, 2026 Rhodes seemingly had two chances to turn on Punk: falling backward while Punk was seated on his shoulders or delivering a low blow while Punk had his back turned. Though “The American Nightmare” didn’t pull the trigger, he still could. Rhodes and Punk reunite this week to face Gunther and Sami Zayn at Saturday Night’s Ma