Bully Ray Says Cody Rhodes Is 'Really Close' To Losing The WWE Fans

Cody Rhodes has been in the top scene of WWE since his return to the company at WrestleMania 38. He's been a multi-time Undisputed WWE Champion, but recently, many fans online believe his character has gotten stale.

Rhodes is set for a sit-down interview on "WWE SmackDown" after refusing to punt Randy Orton in the head at Sunday Night's Main Event, a storyline beat that many, including the hosts of "Busted Open Radio," didn't understand. Bully Ray said that he believes Rhodes is close to losing the fans, and he needs to get to the point of why he didn't punt Orton on Friday's show.

"In my eyes, he's this close to losing fans," he said. "He's this close. Tiny bit, little bit. So, Cody's gotta do something and say something."

Bully Ray and Dave LaGreca pondered whether or not Rhodes should turn heel after previously saying in a different chapter of his career that he never would. The WWE Hall of Famer said that the "American Nightmare" is far from what he believes was his top babyface moment.

"Cody Rhodes is far away from the night he took off his robe in Hell in a Cell," he said. "He's as far away from that moment in time as he's ever been. That moment when he takes off the robe and he shows the world how screwed up his pec [was]... and the fact that he had no business wrestling, but he kept on trucking. 'This is what I'm willing to do for you.' From there, to him not punting Randy in the head? Night and day."

Bully Ray said that when stars spend a lot of time at the top of the card, they tend to get in their own head. He said it's easy to second guess yourself or even make bad decisions. He questioned if Rhodes is in his own head right now, and said if Rhodes was listening, to forget about what he and LaGreca were saying, but to listen to the other voices.

"What about fans who are calling in who are kind of like, teeter-tottering on Cody right now, and we got a lot of them this week," Bully Ray said. "We got a lot of people who were like, 'Aw, man. It's becoming a struggle to continue to be a Cody fan.'"

He said that Rhodes could always pivot to put this on the fans. Bully Ray explained he would love to see Rhodes "put the WWE universe on notice" by going out in the ring and cutting a promo.

"Tell them, 'I'm giving you a week,'" he said. "To the 15,000 people in this arena tonight, I'm giving you a week. To the millions that are at home watching on USA, I'm giving you a week... Do you love me, or do you hate me? I'll be back in this same spot next Friday.' It's an interesting twist. 'Make up your mind.'"

LaGreca said he believes many fans have already made up their minds, and Bully Ray agreed that's why the interview on "SmackDown" is important. He said Rhodes has to make him understand why he didn't take the opportunity to punt Orton, and make him believe in him as a babyface again.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "Busted Open Radio" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.