8 New Directions For WWE After Elimination Chamber 2026
1. Cody Rhodes Finally Going Heel
This has to happen.
In theory, Cody's WrestleMania 42 dream just died a death when he was screwed over yet again by Drew at Elimination Chamber. He has been handed a possible reprieve by GM Aldis, but all signs point towards Rhodes flipping and going heel sooner rather than later. Cody has been dropping heel hints in his promos stretching right back to the John Cena business, and it’s time to go that road with him.
He’s at risk of getting stale as a babyface after years of top work. Nothing lasts forever, and there’s money in an elitist heel version of Rhodes who’s hyper-aggressive and has a chip on his shoulder. The agitated looks Cody flashed around the place right at the end of the PLE on Saturday night in Chicago say it all. This is a man who's close to the edge, and he just got outsmarted by McIntyre and his buddy Orton.
WWE might not go all in on heel Rhodes until 'Mania 42 in the rear view. However, they have to be preparing for life without him on the babyface side. His merch sales are still ridiculously strong, which could make management hesitant, but they surely know there's some excellent creative waiting on the other side once he goes rogue and quits the 'company man' act.
Cody's facial expressions as the PLE faded to black suggested reality is starting to sink in. He's on his own.
Where else can you see WWE heading after Elimination Chamber 2026? For more wrestling, check out 15 Wrestlers That Got BANNED From WWE and The WORST Moment From Every WWE WrestleMania!