'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Daniel Bryan turned heel on the recent episode of Smackdown Live. An out of the blue decision was made to turn one of the most loved superstars in WWE heel. However, this is not the first time a popular babyface has turned heel.
In recent memory, Dean Ambrose, Jonny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, and Sami Zayn are prime examples of much-loved babyfaces turning heels. A heel turn is generally used to freshen up the character of such superstars and more often than not, works really well.
AJ Styles becomes the victim of yet another superstar turning heel after low blowing him. Shinsuke Nakamura tried to low blow himself into WWE Championship victory quite a few times but was never successful. Bryan did that on Smackdown Live with great success!
We look at five such superstars who are stale right now and can turn amazing heels if WWE tries!
#5: Bayley
The list's off to a weird start, right? Why would WWE ever turn Bayley heel? Well for the same reason WWE decided to pull the trigger on a heel turn for the likes of Bryan, Zayn, and Gargano.
Bayley debuted on the main roster in August 2016 and received one of the biggest pops in recent memory. She ended Charlotte's undefeated streak on PPVs and went on to win the title in Wrestlemania 33. However, a feud with Alexa Bliss killed all her momentum and she has never been able to recover from that.
Bayley went from being one of the most dominant performers in NXT to having random matches on RAW with no storyline or purpose to her character.
Bayley is one of the most talented wrestlers on the roster and could potentially unlock her potential with a heel turn. Her on-off feud with Sasha Banks(more on her later!), had many teases of a heel turn but it never materialized.
WWE should not waste her prime years and do something with Bayley. A heel turn would be interesting, right?
#4: Sasha Banks
Bayley's "best friend", Sasha Banks had to make this list. Bayley and Sasha Banks were part of the "Women's Revolution" in 2015 and produced arguably the greatest women's match in WWE during that time.
Sasha Banks played the role of a menacing villain in her feud with Bayley which earned her applause and critical appreciation, but ever since her face turn on the main roster, that charm has been lost.
Sasha Banks has not suffered as much as Bayley on the main roster, having won the Women's Championship quite a few times. Her rivalry with Charlotte was named as Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Rivalry of the Year in 2016.
However, Banks, similar to Bayley, is totally lost in the shuffle at the moment and is in desperate need of a heel turn. Her "boss" character is tailor-made for a heel persona, and she has all the tools to pull off a successful heel run as we've seen in NXT.
#3: Bobby Roode
The Glorious One. The superstar who's NXT narcissistic persona was well-appreciated has found little success on the main roster. He has unfortunately been downgraded to being a guy with a great theme song and an amazing spine-buster.
Bobby Roode was destined for big things when he hit the main roster back in August last year. However, WWE made a big mistake of bringing him in as a babyface instead of the narcissist heel that he played in NXT.
He's had feuds with the likes of Randy Orton and Baron Corbin, but that's about it. He won the US title in January but had a forgettable run. He has been relegated to the lower card on RAW and is currently in a tag team with Chad Gable.
Bobby Roode turning heel against Chad Gable and subsequently joining the upper-mid card of the singles division will provide quality entertainment. One could even say it would be glorious!
#2: Apollo Crews
WWE brought up Apollo Crews during RAW after Wrestlemania in 2016. He immediately caught the attention of the WWE Universe with his amazing physique and delightful aerial offense. He was termed as the second-coming of Bobby Lashley.
However, similar to Bobby Lashley, Apollo Crews was presented with a bland personality. His promo skills left a lot to be desired and he found himself relegated to the lower card.
Recently, WWE has tried to push Crews once again. He has been featured in matches with Elias and Jinder Mahal. WWE needs to put Crews with someone who can talk and be his hype man. Lio Rush has worked wonders for Lashley, and someone like that for Apollo will be really helpful for his character.
Titus O'Neil recruited Crews to his faction which was quickly dissolved. However, Crews joining Lashley and Lio Rush in a new stable will be an interesting move.
#1: Finn Balor
If you were not expecting him to top this list, then you haven't been watching WWE recently. Finn Balor has suffered the most due to his booking as a babyface on the main roster. He was the first ever Universal Champion, but ever since his injury, he hasn't won a single championship in WWE.
Balor hasn't had any real and meaningful feuds on the main roster in quite some time. He had a creepy feud with Bray Wyatt, moved onto Seth Rollins and Miz, and has not featured in any meaningful feud since.
The handling of Balor on the main roster has been pretty baffling. He could use a move over to Smackdown Live, reunite with his Good Brothers and form the Bullet Club in WWE.
Finn Balor is one of the best wrestlers the company has right now, and WWE should ensure they do not let him go to waste.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
