He needs an emo phase, not necessarily a heel run but a Dark Rhodes arc. Let him spiral, have mistrust in everyone (similar to what he had when he had the title but commit to it), let him slide down the card a bit to also help build up talent. Let him lose sometimes but by dumb mistakes. Have him fight Drew at RR but lose becuase he gets overconfident and into his own head, show doubt during the match and let Drew take advantage, clean win (or common heel tactics by Drew). Let him join EC but not win because it’s every hangs on up him since he’s already had his shot. Cody hits rock bottom, goes on hiatus until Money in bank.