Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes currently stand as the leading heel and babyface on WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown, set to face off for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. Despite their strong performances, some believe that Triple H might have miscast their roles. After a rather underwhelming period at the top of SmackDown, a fresh change is needed—potentially through a role reversal between McIntyre and Rhodes, with a double turn at WrestleMania offering an exciting shake-up for the brand.
Drew McIntyre’s Character Has Babyface Potential
- McIntyre’s rise to WWE Champion echoed the traditional journey of a babyface.
- His recent status as champion demands respect from fans.
- The audience is clearly ready to support McIntyre as a top good guy.
While McIntyre has thrived as a heel, his character’s genuine emotions and justified anger make him compelling to watch. For example, despite multiple clashes with Cody Rhodes, McIntyre’s losses were often due to questionable referee decisions or disqualifications. If McIntyre switched to being a babyface, his persistent chase for the WWE title would be seen as a fair and deserving quest, likely winning over the crowd. His recent championship victory, celebrated widely—including in his native Scotland—felt more like a heroic milestone than a villainous achievement. On the February 6th episode of SmackDown, McIntyre’s passionate promo defending the WWE title and responding to taunts from CM Punk and Roman Reigns showed characteristics more in line with a babyface, injecting energy into the brand.
Cody Rhodes’ Babyface Run Is Growing Stale in WWE
- Rhodes has been WWE’s top good guy for several years.
- Some of his recent storylines and matches have lacked impact.
- Rhodes could flourish if given a heel role by Triple H.
As Triple H’s chosen company man, Cody Rhodes has enjoyed extensive opportunities, including long WWE title reigns and main event slots. However, his recent booking has sometimes felt uninspired and repetitive, making his character seem outdated despite his abilities. Positioned as a “corporate champion,” Rhodes fits the mold of the polished, babyface Superman-type—a role reminiscent of The Rock, Randy Orton, and Seth Rollins in their careers. If Rhodes embraced a heel turn, he could tap into the heat and intensity that fans crave. Against McIntyre, if roles were reversed, Rhodes might come across as a crafty champion willing to cheat and evade challenges, a direction WWE could capitalize on to refresh his character and reduce the increasing audience apathy towards his babyface persona.
Triple H Could Engineer a Significant Double Turn at WrestleMania 42
- The match shouldn’t end with a straightforward finish.
- Rhodes could cheat to beat McIntyre at WrestleMania 42.
- A role reversal would revitalize SmackDown’s main event scene.
WrestleMania 42 presents the perfect opportunity for a dramatic double turn. McIntyre could capture the WWE Championship in front of the live crowd, only to be stripped of the title by a scheming Rhodes, injecting fresh energy and intrigue into SmackDown’s headline picture. Such a twist would prevent the storyline from feeling stale and repetitive, providing Rhodes with new rivalries—potentially clashing with stars like Randy Orton or Jacob Fatu, and maybe even Sami Zayn as a future title contender. There are many directions to take these characters, but the most compelling idea is for Triple H to realign McIntyre and Rhodes with roles better suited to their current trajectories.
Fan Take: This potential double turn at WrestleMania 42 could dramatically rejuvenate WWE’s SmackDown main event scene, giving fans a thrilling narrative shift just when things felt predictable. It’s a pivotal moment that could redefine these stars and reignite passion for WWE’s storytelling, making it a must-watch for any wrestling enthusiast.
