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WWE fans will return in July 2021 and that will officially kick off the return to live touring. 2020-2021 was an interesting period for the company and one where they made bold moves that they normally never make.
There were some interesting character changes, with Roman Reigns undoubtedly being the most significant one. That aside, several superstars thrived in this era, while some didn't. Here are five superstars who could turn heel or face before WWE fans return:
#5. AJ Styles - A much-needed character change in WWE
It's interesting how AJ Styles' runs on RAW and SmackDown have been the polar opposite. While his run on SmackDown between August 2016 and April 2019 was regarded as one of the best in the Blue brand's history, both stints on RAW can't be viewed as the same.
His first run on the Red brand in 2019 saw little to nothing on the creative front except a United States Title reign, while his current reign as RAW Tag Team Champion has a lot left to be desired.
For starters, Styles only appears to be in the RAW Tag Team Title mix because there were no other plans for him at WWE WrestleMania 37. In the long run, it was at the expense of The Hurt Business, who had to drop the titles to The New Day.
But even as the RAW Tag Team Champion, there has been nothing of note for AJ Styles. He has taken a pinfall to the controversial Jaxson Ryker, which should sum up his second run on RAW in a nutshell.
Realistically, the reason for him being on RAW seems to have to do with Paul Heyman being on SmackDown. Either way, there isn't much for him going on in WWE, even as a Champion.
Omos was a great addition, but neither man has been utilized well enough. A babyface turn might be what AJ Styles and Omos need to have a fresh start on RAW. With the crowds returning, things are only going to get more exciting. Perhaps a return to the main event scene would be the right move. His biggest success in WWE has come as a babyface.
#4. Jimmy Uso - Is a heel turn inevitable in his return to WWE?
Jimmy Uso returned to WWE recently after more than a year away. A devastating injury at WrestleMania 36 kept him out for 13 months, and his return has been an interesting one.
Roman Reigns has attempted to make the WWE Tag Team legend fall in line just like his brother, but that hasn't worked out as planned. The ongoing storyline has seen the multi-time WWE Tag Team Champion rebel against his brother and cousin, wanting to reunite The Usos and pick up from where he left off.
Except things aren't the same as when he left. This is a different Roman Reigns, and it's a different Jey Uso as well. While a Reigns-Jimmy match-up seems inevitable at some point, the outcome might be the same as what happened in the summer of 2020.
Jey Uso faced and was brutalized by his cousin Roman Reigns before eventually joining him. The same could happen to Jimmy Uso, who might turn heel before the crowds return to WWE.
#3. Riddle - Is a heel turn in the books for R-K-Bro's WWE future?
Riddle and Randy Orton have formed an odd-pairing tag team in WWE. Although it isn't the first of its kind, it's quite a fun dynamic to watch, with some comparing it to Sheamus and Cesaro in 2016.
It was hard to imagine somebody like Riddle ever teaming up with an intense superstar like Orton, but sometimes, things work out better than expected in WWE.
While it seemed like a Randy Orton face turn was the direction that WWE was going with, that may not be the case. Riddle hinted at a heel turn, and it's possible that we could see it happen before crowds even return.
It's an interesting direction. While The Original Bro doesn't appear to have the characteristics of a heel, the same was said about many babyfaces who eventually made the switch. Sometimes, it unlocks another side that eventually fuels another babyface turn in the future.
Either that or Randy Orton could be the reluctant heel. In 2016-17, Sheamus played a heel but was technically a babyface even with his characteristics.
#2. Sami Zayn - Is a face turn long overdue for him in WWE?
Sami Zayn's heel run in WWE has lasted longer than his run as a babyface. While he was a beloved babyface from 2013 to 2016, things changed the following year, and he aligned with Kevin Owens at Hell in a Cell 2017.
While he had to take a few periods of time away, he has proved to be an all-rounder as a heel. While the negative aspect is the fact that he has taken away many moves from his arsenal, he has come leaps and bounds as a character.
He has even gotten regular screen time, and 2020 was arguably the best year of his WWE career in terms of accolades. Since then, he has been presented as a consistent title challenger. When crowds return, Zayn will continue to get booed because that's how good he is.
Otherwise, we wouldn't be surprised to see WWE start the process of a face turn. While it's hard to see it happening before crowds return, it's a long-term storyline worth building to. Sami Zayn as a babyface is money.
#1. Braun Strowman - Is a change in character needed to revitalize his WWE career?
It's a shame that since Braun Strowman lost the Universal Championship, he hasn't done too much in WWE. While he gets regularly featured on RAW, he is often used as the "fall guy" to help build other superstars.
The two highlights of Strowman's year in 2021 have been his WrestleMania steel cage match against Shane McMahon, and his challenge for the WWE Title in a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania Backlash.
Both matches were good, with the former exceeding expectations. But there isn't much to be excited about when thinking about Braun Strowman's WWE run in the future.
With crowds returning, so will some bigger names. That will further take away the spotlight from The Monster Among Men. What he might need is a good heel turn that will establish him as a World Title challenger again.
Unfortunately, with Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, and potentially even Brock Lesnar looming, the likeliness of Braun Strowman winning another World Title soon seems slim to none.
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