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In recent years, it has become more and more of a challenge to be disliked by fans. In many cases, the heel today is ‘cool' and offers something counter to what the face does that somehow appeals to fans. Often a face has a tendency to be generic and doesn't offer much that is fresh or exciting.
In comparison, the heel has all the freedom in the world to get a reaction and do what is necessary for their character. Over the last year or so, several faces have turned heel, and doing so has been just what was needed for their careers.
The challenge with staying over as a face is ensuring that you don't change too much of what got you liked, while still maintaining the kind of reaction you've been getting. In these recent cases, these characters had to abandon everything in order to achieve change.
There couldn't be any more hand slapping and fist-pumping, they needed to reach into a dark place, where self-confidence that crosses over into arrogance was all that mattered for them to be over once again. Here are five recent heel turns in the WWE that worked well.
#5 Hideo Itami
After losing to Bobby Roode in an NXT championship match, things weren't the same with Hideo Itami. While his friends such as KassiusOhno tried to keep him focused, his character was going in another direction.
While he and his friend appeared to be on the same side, ultimately Itami's need for respect resulted in his ending their friendship. He frequently proclaims he wanted respect but has managed to disrespect Aleister Black in the process.
Since his heel turn, Itami has continued to beat up and beat down opponents, to the point where he has turned victories into defeats as referees have reversed their decision. Though he was one of NXT's most beloved faces, having Itami turn heel was undisputedly a stroke of brilliance. His arrogance has led to an incredibly believable and fruitful run. Fans are convinced by Itami's complaining that he is disrespected and are jeering him loudly
#4 Neville
He is the self-proclaimed King of the Cruiserweights, and since his heel turn, Neville has continued to impress with each and every match up he has had. Upon his return and subsequent beat down of Rich Swann, the Cruiserweight champion at the time, Neville appeared all but certain to become the next Cruiserweight champion. It was as though Swann was simply holding the title for Neville.
Whether it has been against Swann, TJP or Austin Aries, Neville has found one way or another to showcase just how capable he is of being a major part of the division. The heel turn has done him a world of good, as it has made fans look past his high-flying and showcased Neville's technical side as well. The inclusion of moves such as a superplex and the rings of Saturn submission have helped add to his character. He is a heel the fans have truly bought into.
#3 The Usos
When you come to the ring as a babyface and the appreciative cheers and accolades you once received from the fans have turned into jeers and heckles, it is time to make a change. This was the case for Jimmy and Jey Uso, the SmackDown Live tag team champions. One of the things that hurt them prior to their heel turn was their relationship with their cousin, Roman Reigns. After the turn, their bright colours and bubbly personality were replaced with a more urban look and style, which may be more reflective of how they dress outside the ring.
While fans have applauded their promos, it should be noted that they were never poor, but they are just allowed to express themselves better as heels. They are also not being shown on-screen with Naomi, as they are on opposite sides of the face/heel spectrum. The brothers' heel turn came after they were defeated by American Alpha, at a point when fans didn't see it coming but they are glad it happened.
#2 Tomasso Ciampa
"This isn't our moment…this is my moment," screamed Tomasso Ciampa as he attacked his unsuspecting tag team partner Johnny Gargano. At the end of their triple threat tag-team match against The Revival and the Authors of Pain, Ciampa and Gargano embraced in the ring, basking in the appreciation of the fans as they applauded their effort. On several occasions during the match, Gargano put himself in harm's way to prevent his partner from being hurt, essentially taking a bullet for Ciampa.
After the match, as both men stood at the top of the rampway, Ciampa uttered the words mentioned earlier and systematically decimated Gargano, forcing him to be stretchered out of the arena. It was recently announced that Ciampa would be out of action until March 2018, due to injuries he suffered both before and during that match, but that will make his return that much more anticipated. His heel turn and address to the NXT crowd a few days later also suggest that Ciampa will showcase just how dangerous he can be as the ‘Psycho Killer'. It was a heel turn fans didn't see coming, and those in attendance were caught jeering Ciampa as a result.
#1 Big Cass
To Enzo Amore, he may be a 7-foot catchphrase, but Cass' admitting to sneak attacks on Enzo and the subsequent beat downs were so well handled that fans in attendance couldn't help but jeer him mercilessly. He often says that he is where the money is, and it may very well be that Big Cass will become a prominent solo performer on the main roster. However, his initial boot to the face of Enzo, his apparent apology and subsequent attack the following week have fans loathing the big man.
While the splitting up of the team may have been something many thoughts were coming, a BigCass heel turn was teased early on, but fans were thrown off the trail when he appeared to have been laid out as well by a backstage attack. The look of disappointment and betrayal on the face of Amore proved to fans that he was just as hurt as those that loved them as a team. Cass' turn was well handled and left the fans wanting blood after seeing what he did to his little buddy.
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