In early 2026, a surprising shift took place within the WWE Universe. Cody Rhodes, once one of the most beloved babyfaces in professional wrestling, is now facing growing criticism from fans.
Just two years ago at WrestleMania 40, Rhodes completed one of the most celebrated storylines in modern WWE history by finally winning the WWE Championship. The moment symbolized perseverance, legacy, and the emotional culmination of his long journey.
However, the landscape has changed dramatically. His rivalry with Drew McIntyre and another championship victory has led many fans to question WWE’s booking decisions. As a result, a noticeable portion of the audience has started to turn against Rhodes.
With WrestleMania 42 scheduled for April 18–19, 2026, this shift in fan sentiment could significantly impact WWE’s biggest storyline heading into the event.
Cody Rhodes’ Journey Back to WWE Stardom
Cody Rhodes’ path back to WWE’s main event scene began in dramatic fashion.
In 2022, Rhodes left AEW due to personal and professional reasons. His return to WWE became one of the most anticipated surprises in wrestling. At WrestleMania 38, Rhodes made a memorable comeback, keeping his “American Nightmare” persona and iconic entrance theme Kingdom.
The reaction from the crowd was overwhelming. Fans welcomed him as a top star and immediately invested in his journey.
The Road to WrestleMania 40
Rhodes quickly reestablished himself as a main event player. His story centered around “finishing the story” — winning the WWE Championship that his father, Dusty Rhodes, never held.
Although he came close at WrestleMania 39, Rhodes fell short against Roman Reigns. That loss only intensified fan support.
A year later, at WrestleMania 40, Rhodes finally achieved his dream and defeated Roman Reigns to become WWE Champion in what many consider a defining match of the generation.
At that moment, Cody Rhodes was arguably the most popular star in WWE.
The Championship Reign and Loss to John Cena
Rhodes’ reign as champion lasted roughly a year before he eventually lost the title to John Cena in a match that many fans viewed as underwhelming.
However, the story didn’t end there.
At SummerSlam 2025, Rhodes defeated Cena in a critically acclaimed match to regain the WWE Championship. The match itself received strong praise from fans and critics alike, and Rhodes continued to be widely supported by the audience.
Even though Cena received loud cheers, fans were still firmly behind Rhodes.
But things began to change soon after.
The Drew McIntyre Feud That Changed Fan Perception
The turning point came during Cody Rhodes’ rivalry with Drew McIntyre.
McIntyre had spent years rebuilding himself as one of WWE’s most consistent performers. Many fans believed he deserved another meaningful WWE Championship run after carrying the company during difficult periods.
During the feud, several storyline moments made it appear as though McIntyre was repeatedly being denied his rightful opportunity to hold the title.
This created a major shift in audience sentiment.
Instead of viewing Rhodes as the heroic champion, fans began to sympathize with McIntyre.
Eventually, McIntyre did win the WWE Championship, which was met with strong fan approval. Many believed this moment was long overdue.
The Controversial Title Win That Sparked Backlash
The situation escalated when Cody Rhodes refused to move on from the championship picture.
His obsession with reclaiming the title became a central part of the storyline. Eventually, WWE announced another championship match between Rhodes and McIntyre on SmackDown, officiated by Nick Aldis.
At that point, the crowd largely wanted McIntyre to retain the championship. A short reign for him would have felt disappointing given the build-up to his victory.
However, Rhodes won the match and became WWE Champion for the third time.
That result triggered a strong negative reaction from many fans.
Social Media Backlash and Crowd Reactions
The backlash wasn’t limited to live audiences.
A video of Rhodes winning the championship quickly circulated online and reportedly received over 200,000 dislikes, reflecting widespread frustration among parts of the fanbase.
On platforms like Twitter and wrestling forums, fans began expressing similar concerns:
Rhodes was winning too frequently
Other stars weren’t getting meaningful title runs
The storyline felt predictable
Even in arenas, reactions started to shift. While Rhodes still had supporters, the once overwhelming cheers were now mixed with boos.
Is Cody Rhodes Becoming “Super Cena”?
One of the most common criticisms is the comparison to John Cena’s “Super Cena” era.
During that period, Cena was often booked as an unstoppable hero who consistently overcame every challenger. While Cena remained extremely popular with younger fans, many older fans grew frustrated with the predictable booking.
Some fans now feel that Cody Rhodes is being positioned in a similar way.
When a babyface wins too frequently and rarely faces meaningful setbacks, audiences can begin to lose emotional investment in the character.
The risk is not that Rhodes becomes unpopular, but that fans simply grow tired of seeing him constantly win.
The Road to WrestleMania 42
Heading into WrestleMania 42, Cody Rhodes is expected to feud with Randy Orton.
Orton remains one of the most respected and beloved veterans in WWE. Because of that, there is a strong possibility that the crowd could side with Orton during the rivalry.
If the audience perceives Rhodes as overly protected again, the negative reactions could intensify.
This creates a difficult situation for WWE creative, led by Triple H.
What WWE Can Learn From Past Booking Decisions
WWE history offers several examples of how to manage similar situations.
Sometimes the best way to restore fan support for a character is to step away from the championship picture temporarily.
Charlotte Flair is a good example. Periods away from the title scene helped refresh her character and allowed fans to reconnect with her.
A similar strategy could benefit Cody Rhodes. Allowing other stars to shine while Rhodes rebuilds his character arc might restore the goodwill he once enjoyed.
Can Cody Rhodes Win Back the WWE Universe?
Despite the criticism, Cody Rhodes remains one of WWE’s most talented performers and compelling storytellers.
His journey from leaving WWE, rebuilding his career, and returning as a main event star remains one of the most inspiring narratives in modern wrestling.
The current backlash may simply reflect the passionate nature of wrestling fans rather than a permanent rejection of Rhodes.
With thoughtful storytelling and balanced booking, WWE still has an opportunity to turn the tide and restore Rhodes as the universally loved hero he once was.
As WrestleMania 42 approaches, the question remains:
Will Cody Rhodes regain the full support of the WWE Universe, or will the backlash continue to grow?
Only time — and WWE’s booking decisions — will tell.
