Cody Rhodes Says Babyfaces Are Making a Comeback: ‘It’s About Being Authentic’

Cody Rhodes recently weighed in on playing a heel vs. babyface, noting that the good guys are making a comeback in a different way. Rhodes has played both sides of the wrestling alignment chart in his career but has been babyface since coming to WWE. He was asked about the nuances of playing both in his appearance on All The Smoke and said he believes babyfaces are coming back into vogue.

Rhodes cited the fact that a babyface is about authenticity now. He pointed out how John Cena’s heel turn fell short, arguing that Cena had too much equity as a babyface to get boos. You can see highlights below:

On Playing a Heel:

“Today it’s easier to be a heel, I suppose. You know, traditionally a heel is going to lead the match… They’re going to feel the crowd. Hopefully, they’re educated enough to know their connection with them. When they want you to get up, when they want you to, ‘Not yet’ in terms of, ‘then this comeback comes,’ whatever. Even with that said, it’s a little easier to be disliked today.

“Whereas in 2025 now and in the last 5 years or so, babyfaces were essentially an endangered species. Because something about doing the right thing wasn’t as cool as it used to be. You know, the ’80s are one thing. Bob Backlund was amazing and beloved by fans, but that type of kind of goody two shoes, virtuous style wasn’t the thing that was on. We got Breaking Bad on TV, you got Game of Thrones, there’s a different type of hero.”

On Babyfaces Making a Comeback:

“But something opened up in the wrestling space where — I don’t know if it’s virtuous or if it’s goody two shoes or whatever it may be. But something opened up in the wrestling space where good guys have become a thing again. And I don’t think it’s about being virtuous as much as it’s about being authentic. You know, Jey Uso is one of the most popular wrestlers on the planet. Jey’s done some diabolical stuff. I’ve been so lucky, I got a great following with our young audience. I’ve done some terrible stuff. I would hate if they looked up to me. But when they see me, they are 100% sure that is authentically who I am. Authentically. And I think that’s been the key to being a good guy.

On Why He Couldn’t Go Full Heel Anymore:

“I also think it’s more challenging. We’re at this point where the longer that it goes for me, the less I’m able to turn to this nefarious demon bad guy. Because so much has happened, right, that there’s a core audience now that won’t go. And we actually saw this with with John Cena recently. I admired him taking the challenge and loved him going for the idea of being a bad guy at the end. But you’ve got decades of equity built with them.

“All that’s probably going to happen is ‘No, we’re we’re going to stay with you. We don’t agree with a lot of these decisions, but we’re staying with you.’ Which is fun in its own way, because it creates a hell of an acoustic in the live crowd. But heel-babyface is really funny to determine. If you were looking at a sheet of our roster, a lot of guys who look like heels might be babyfaces. A lot of guys who look like babyfaces might be the heels. Same with the girls. Our audience is going make the choice.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit All The Smoke with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.