5 possible heel turns that could happen at Backlash 2018

When a superstar's career is lying in a pit of obscurity the quickest solution any wresting critic or aficionado would suggest is for that superstar to leave their babyface persona behind and flip the switch.

Therefore, while it is lazy booking to turn a superstar heel on a dime in the modern era of professional wrestling, the benefits reaped from that decision is immense for WWE at the moment.

Moreover, when analyzing the 2018 Backlash match card, countless wrestlers have reached a point in their career where a heel turn would have logical reasoning and be aptly justified.

Moreover, Raw and Smackdown Live lacks authentic top heels in many divisions. Thus a heel turn from any one of these underutilised stars would genuinely change the landscape of the blue and red brand.

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#1 Bobby Lashley

Raw needs a monster heel

When Bobby Lashley returned to WWE on the night after WrestleMania 34, a majority of the WWE Universe were thrilled to witness the former United States Champion dominate monsters and jobbers in Vince McMahon's squared circle once again.

However, with Lashley's reported plans falling through, the WWE creative team made the most significant mistake possible when handling Bobby Lashley, they let him fade into the background.

From multiple tag team matches on Raw to more tag team matches on pay-per-view, Bobby Lashley has gone from a singles megastar to second-rate tag team partner in a matter of weeks.

Therefore, now that WWE has booked Lashley and Braun Strowman in a tag team match at Backlash, the only way to save some of Lashley’s underused star power is to have him destroy the Monster Among Men.

Monday Night Raw has been missing a truly destructive force ever since Strowman tuned face, and Lashley could quickly fill that spot.

#2 Sasha Banks

Banks turning heel would not only rejuvenate her career

At the 2018 Backlash pay-per-view, the WWE Universe would witness Ruby Rott vs. Bayley in singles action.

However, with the Riott Squad at ringside, any match cannot be considered a singles match. Therefore, with Bayley in action, it is only logical to assume Sasha Banks will be expected to come to her friend's aid when a highly predictable beatdown on "the huggable one" will ensue.

However, WWE has a chance at this pay-per-view to do something they should’ve done a long time ago, and that is to turn Banks heel.

The Boss finally betraying Bayley and revealing her real sadistic boss persona will be the best thing for the Raw Women’s division.

Whether WWE deices to pit Sasha as the new co-leader of the Riott Squad or have her go on a rampage as a singles star, a heel turn is genuinely needed to add depth the Raw women’s division.

#3 Randy Orton

WWE is wasting Orton as a bland babyface

At the moment, Randy Orton is at the peak of his wrestling career, as he is one of the best natural talents to grace the squared circle.

However, while Orton’s in-ring ability can never be questioned, his character work has been among WWE’s worst for over the last few years.

Orton is one the last full-time veterans WWE has on their roster. Thus it is shocking to realize that they are intent on wasting his one in a lifetime abilities.

The Viper is undoubtedly better suited as a heel that his current babyface persona, as the greatest work of his career came from his iconic “legend killer” persona and even his “deranged viper” shtick.

Therefore, whether Orton brings back his nostalgic gimmick or his unhinged persona at Backlash 2018, WWE needs to manage Orton better this year, and that all starts by turning this icon heel at Backlash.

#4 Asuka

Smackdown Live's women's division needs a true top heel

When Asuka tapped out in under a minute at Wrestlemania 34, a majority of the WWE Universe could not believe what they were witnessing.

Ever since "the empress of tomorrow" had debuted in the company, WWE had booked her as the most dominant athlete that had stepped foot inside the squared circle in a long time.

Therefore, after the “show of shows” had concluded Asuka has taken her losses with a smile and brushed it off as unimportant matters that don’t deserve her concern.

However, this week on Smackdown Live Corey Graves stated that Asuka’s losses might have caused her to lose focus, and that is the reason for her laid-back attitude.

However, at Backlash 2018 this could all change, as Asuka could end up destroying Charlotte and Carmella in their Smackdown Live Women’s Title match. Smackdown Live lacks a badass fighter in its women’s division, as Raw has Ronda Rousey.

Therefore, at Backlash WWE, needs to turn Asuka heel as it could revive her career, give the blue brand’s women division a top heel and increase the number of the number of badass heels on a WWE roster.

#5 Finn Balor

Finn Balor has more reason to turn heel than any superstar on the roster right now.

Former Universal Champion, former NXt Champion, and former Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winner, while Finn Balor’s list of achievements in the WWE might be impressive, his booking after he returned from injury has been akin to a midcard act instead of the main event superstar WWE would want their fanbase to believe.

Out of all possible heel turns at the Backlash pay-per-view, this would be the most warranted, as the man that would push Balor over the edge into heel territory is Seth Rollins. Rollins has taken everything away from Balor, namely his World Title, his chance to have his Wrestlemania moment and the privilege of being able to carry the IC Title. Therefore, Balor costing Rollins to his IC Title at Backlash would genuinely be the resurgence of Finn Balor.