Cody Rhodes, the current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, has been riding high on his recent successes in the wrestling world. After defeating Roman Reigns to capture the championship, he has become the top babyface in the Stamford-based company.
However, his recent behavior has raised concerns among wrestling veterans, including Matt Morgan, who warns that Rhodes’ “ultra babyface” character may ultimately hurt him.
Morgan, a TNA legend, expressed his concerns on the Gigantic Pop podcast, stating that Rhodes’ squeaky clean image and public support from the company may not be beneficial for him as a babyface in 2024.
Morgan criticized Rhodes’ booking, suggesting that it may lead to a direction that could harm the 38-year-old wrestler’s career. He pointed out that Rhodes’ involvement in announcing the first round of the 2024 WWE Draft alongside Triple H was unnecessary and may have contributed to his overly sanitized image.
Rhodes’ upcoming title defense against AJ Styles at WWE Backlash France has also sparked debate among fans and experts alike.
While some believe that Rhodes will emerge victorious, others predict that LA Knight may interfere to cost Styles the title shot.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Rhodes’ ultra babyface character will help or hinder him in this match.
Morgan’s warning comes at a crucial time for Rhodes, who has been defending his title in untelevised matches against Dominik Mysterio and Shinsuke Nakamura.
With his first televised title defense approaching, it remains to be seen whether Rhodes can maintain his momentum and continue to thrill audiences with his performances.
The veteran’s warning also raises questions about the nature of babyface characters in professional wrestling. Is being an “ultra babyface” necessarily a good thing? Does it make a wrestler more relatable and likable to audiences, or does it risk making them come across as too perfect and therefore less interesting?
As Cody Rhodes prepares to face AJ Styles at Backlash France, fans will be watching closely to see how his character evolves and whether he can overcome the challenges posed by Morgan’s warning.
Will Rhodes prove Morgan wrong and continue to thrive as an ultra babyface, or will he need to adapt and change his approach to remain relevant in the ever-changing world of professional wrestling? Only time will tell.
