Cody Rhodes finished the story at WrestleMania when he defeated Roman Reigns to become the Undisputed WWE Champion. Now, the chase is over and it's down to the American Nightmare to establish what sort of champion he'll be.
There are those who already believe Rhodes needs to turn heel despite being WWE's most popular babyface as we write this.
During a recent podcast appearance, the former AEW star acknowledged the desire from fans to see him turn heel (which, funnily enough, dominated talk among fans during his final few months in Tony Khan's company), confirming he's reluctant to do so.
"I think I'm lying if I say I don't think about it," Rhodes started. "The truth is, I'm so caught up in the connection that I have, whether it's the friendships bracelets I get at the shows, or just these moments you have with the kids coming full cosplay, this new generation of fan that's going to grow up and have podcasts and radio shows."
"I'm so invested in them, it's rare when I think outside of 'Well, what about a version of me that's hated? That's disliked, that's booed?'
"I've certainly been booed before, been booed heavily...I guess I think minimally about it. And I could...you never say never. John [Cena]'s never happened, and I think rightfully so," he continued. "I think what we got there, we look back at now and realize, I was just watching him vs. Umaga the other day, you see the magic of what John was able to do."
"With the time I have left, contract wise, I don't see it. But again, never say never. Absolutes are the worst thing in sports entertainment and pro wrestling."
In a separate interview to promote tomorrow's Backlash PLE in France, Rhodes also addressed demands from fans that he eventually square off with former Intercontinental Champion Gunther.
"I do think that he and I are probably destined to clash at some point," he teased. "That's something I really look forward to because here, here's why this is maybe a little inside baseball; Gunther is somebody that really is popular with the most hardcore wrestling fans, and there are definitely a bazillion different pockets of fandom."
"Just in the brief time we touched the Royal Rumble, that I got a sense this could be a major opponent for me at some point down the road. But if I could work with somebody, I'd say Jey Uso. So, if I could work against somebody, I'd say Gunther is definitely on my list...I look forward to Gunther and I look forward to everybody who challenges us as we move forward."
Watch the full interview with Rhodes in the player below.