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Being a babyface in WWE is a tricky prospect, as Superstars would need to follow a more rigid structure while cutting promos. There have been occasions when fans have not been that invested in a certain face, with a heel turn being an easy solution.
If given the choice, most WWE Superstars would likely prefer to be a heel.
There are several heels in the company who should remain as such throughout their WWE careers, but some current villains would do better as babyfaces. Most of them have been faces for an extended period of time, with some only recently turning evil.
These Superstars do not necessarily have the malice and mean streak required to prosper as a heel. Their strengths lie over in the babyface side, with a turn being beneficial for most of them.
Here five WWE heels who work better as babyfaces.
#5 Johnny Gargano
To be fair, Johnny Gargano has not been a heel for very long. But looking at how well his babyface run has been in NXT, it will take a monumental effort for the 'Rebel Heart' to be better as a heel. This is also not the first time Gargano went bad on the black-and-gold brand.
Back in the fall of 2018, Gargano turned heel due to frustrations in failing to beat Tommaso Ciampa. However, despite some great matches with the likes of Aleister Black and Ricochet, it did not hit the mark and ended up confusing WWE fans.
Also, Gargano was one of the greatest babyfaces in NXT history. His excellent wrestling skills coupled with his tremendous heart and ability to garner sympathy may be enough to ensure that this current run as a villain does not eclipse the peak of Johnny Wrestling, in early 2018.
Hopefully, Gargano does have a successful run on NXT as a heel before he is even considered for a WWE main roster call-up. That being said, he will forever be associated with the good guy role.
#4 John Morrison
While he is talented at being a cocky heel, John Morrison's lovely moveset warrants a babyface turn in the near future. He returned to WWE as a heel, being re-introduced by reuniting with The Miz. But it seems like the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions could be on their last legs.
WWE's need for tag teams might prolong Miz and Morrison's run together, but a split wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. The 'Prince of Parkour' was a brilliant good guy during his last WWE run, coming across as a massive star on both SmackDown and RAW.
Morrison bagged several great matches in 2009, even defeating Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship. It wasn't difficult to garner sympathy for the 'Shaman of Sexy' as well, with him getting so close to breaking out as a main-eventer.
His 2011 contract expiry may have stopped him from becoming a World Champion in WWE, but John Morrison had the momentum to go all the way at the time. This is something that may not have been possible as a bad guy. Morrison can use his Parkour skills to jump from heel to babyface.
#3 Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn is doing a great job as the heel "manager" of The Artist Collective. He even won the Intercontinental Championship in this role and still has the title. However, the original Sami Zayn is something that WWE fans miss dearly.
He may be a master at irritating the WWE Universe and being a coward, but Zayn can be so much more. He is a phenomenal pro-wrestler, one who can get the crowd on his side better than nearly every WWE Superstar.
Zayn was a fantastic babyface who was mishandled by WWE, before his heel turn. If you have doubts over this, watch his NXT Championship match against Adrian Neville from NXT TakeOver: R Evolution or his WWE main roster as a part of John Cena's United States Championship Open Challenge.
The 'Underdog from the Underground' is also extremely likable as a person. It's a shame that we haven't been able to see Sami Zayn as the ultimate babyface on the main roster, save for his debut against Cena, and his classic against Kevin Owens at Battleground 2016.
#2 Kairi Sane
When the Kabuki Warriors turned heel, it felt like a perfect change for Asuka. It rejuvenated her and made her feel like a star again. And while they did capture the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, it felt like Kairi Sane was being miscast. She still did a decent job alongside Asuka, though.
It is obvious where Sane's strengths lie. However, it felt like she sacrificed them for some Championship gold in WWE, as well as to allow the Empress of Tomorrow to blossom. The 'Pirate Princess' quite clearly plays second fiddle to Asuka, which is no shame, but she can be used better.
Like the others on this list, Sane's time in NXT is proof of how good she is as a babyface. Along with her general likability, she is smooth in the ring and can garner sympathy like very few can. The highlight of her time at Full Sail has to be that match with Shayna Baszler at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 4.
If Kairi Sane is staying with WWE, an unlikely prospect, it would be beneficial for her and Asuka to split up as it is very clear how much more comfortable the 'Pirate Princess' is as a babyface.
#1 Cesaro
Another member of The Artist Collective stable, Cesaro would greatly benefit from going solo and turning babyface. He may make a great heel bodyguard, but there is so much potential being wasted. Cesaro is genuinely one of the best wrestlers in WWE today.
The Swiss Cyborg is not a favorite of the "front office" in WWE, for some reason. He was even banned from doing his impressive moves as a heel, due to it being too flashy. There is a very, very simple solution to that. Just turn Cesaro face and play to his strengths.
He is excellent at almost every aspect of professional wrestling, from look to technical prowess to immense strength. And while Cesaro's promos might need some work, he does have a subtle charisma.
His Bond-style gimmick, along with appearances on outside channels like UpUpDownDown have showcased his personality. It is a shame that WWE has not pushed Cesaro as a babyface, because that is where he excels. He connects with the fans as well, evidenced by the 'Cesaro Section' among the crowds back in 2015.
It is obvious that being a babyface suits Cesaro much more than being a heel. Hopefully, WWE's "front office" realizes that and works on making him a top Superstar. It is never too late to make someone a star. And hopefully, Cesaro becomes one.
