Cody Rhodes Character Overhaul Incoming After WWE Title Loss To Drew McIntyre
Cody Rhodes recently dropped the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre.
On January 9, 2026, the two superstars headlined the taping of SmackDown in Berlin, Germany. In a rare sight, the heel character was cheered by fans while Rhodes was booed several times.
Their bout was contested under the 3 Stages of Hell stipulation, with the match types chosen by McIntyre beforehand.
The Stottish Warrior won the first fall, which was fought under the traditional wrestling rules. Rhodes retaliated with a brutal Cross Rhodes on Drew on the commentator’s desk, getting the second pinfall under Falls Count Anywhere rules.
The third stage of the match occurred inside a steel cage. The closing minutes saw Jacob Fatu return to WWE after being out since October.
His attack on McIntyre caused a distraction for Cody Rhodes, who confronted Fatu only to be assaulted by The Samoan Werewolf. Drew saw the opportunity and snuck out of the cage to become a 4-time World Champion.
WWE Planning A Major Character Change For Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes has been a babyface since returning to WWE in 2022.
Over the years, he has hinted at a heel change with occasional surprise attacks on his opponents or by cutting a cross promo.
After his recent title loss, fans are expecting him to go full nuclear, with a massive heel turn.
Replying to a user on X, Cory Hays of Bodyslam.net stated that WWE is interested in a character shift for Cody Rhodes, but not a heel turn.
Not a turn but a character shift
— Cory of Bodyslam.net (@Cory_Hays407) January 9, 2026
Post-defeating Rhodes on Friday, Drew McIntyre did not waste any time in mocking the second-generation superstar.
On his social media platform, the 40-year-old Scot shared screenshots of tweets from fans like:
- He did the thinkable
- End of an error
- Don’t smile because it’s over cry because it happened