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It’s tough to remain on the top of the WWE roster for a long period of time. Eventually, everyone has to make way for someone else who has started to gain momentum. This mostly happens because the audience often wants something fresh. And, a prolonged run with the same gimmick often ends up reducing the charm of Superstars who once enjoyed the entire attention.
Usually, this monotony is tackled with the help of a shocking face or heel turn. This shift in gimmick allows WWE to keep their talents interesting and have them engage in fresh rivalries. Other than that, an important factor is the natural talent of the Superstar in question because some of the WWE Superstars work better as heels.
In this article, we will take a look at five current WWE Superstars who desperately need a heel turn. While some of them need it to make their characters more interesting, others need it to make themselves relevant once again. So, without further ado, let’s begin.
#5 Elias
WWE Superstar Elias is an extremely talented wrestler who can play the role of both a heel and a babyface with utmost perfection. However, I still think he is much better as a heel than he is as a face.
For a long time, Elias' gimmick has been the kind that insults anyone and everyone he can find. These days, he only directs the insults towards the bad guys on the roster.
That, in turn, has led to Elias being used as a catalyst in most of the storylines where his role does little to nothing in helping him move further up the latter. Elias is way too good to be wasted in the mid-card. If he turns heel, he could be booked into storylines where he is challenging for the titles.
This will eventually allow the creatives to create a rivalry between him and one of the top babyfaces, something that will help both the Superstars involved.
While Elias is excellent inside the ring, his skills on the mic are equally good and he can control the narrative even when he is not on the good side of the story. A heel like him enhances any rivalry only because it can actually force the audience into choosing sides.
It’s unfortunate that a character as interesting as Elias has been spending so much time on the sidelines. He should turn heel soon and must initiate feuds with his counterparts, making for a few engaging rivalries.
#4 Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio is one of the most legendary Superstars to have graced the squared circle. He has several accolades to his name and has an incredible career behind him. That being said, one can’t deny that his days in the pro-wrestling business are now numbered.
He has been a part of good storylines in recent years but now he needs something more interesting before he eventually hangs his boots.
Currently working on RAW, Mysterio has not been part of a compelling storyline since his feud with Brock Lesnar. Even then, it was more about introducing Cain Velasquez. Now that he is not actively involved in any other storyline, WWE can have him turn heel and feud with up and coming Superstars which will prove to be beneficial for all those who are involved.
For Mysterio, it will be a huge shift in character and will come as a surprise, thereby helping the creatives in keeping the audience hooked onto the latest developments.
But more than that, it will prove to be a boon for the rising Superstars who will have a great opportunity to strengthen their position on the roster and convince the bosses of their potential - especially when they are put over by a veteran of the business.
#3 Aleister Black
Before I present my argument, let me say that Aleister Black has one of the best gimmicks in WWE today. From his in-ring prowess to his mic-skills, everything about him makes him a whole performer. But the problem arises with his booking on RAW. Someone as talented as Black deserves to be a part of much more engaging storylines.
Even after being involved in a handful of good feuds, Black is already considered as one of the top guys of the Red brand. But he is rarely seen in memorable storylines which might hurt his credibility in the long run.
If the creatives don’t have anything in store for Black, they should turn him heel and explore opportunities with that angle.
As a heel, Black will have a chance to go up against the likes of Kevin Owens and Drew McIntyre. Even if he is far from winning the Championship, he must be pushed into the title picture because he can make a brilliant heel. His gimmick is compelling and can be used to narrate more intense storylines.
WWE can also have him turn heel and work alongside AJ Styles, now that the ‘Phenomenal One’ is all by himself after Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows were released last week. Both Styles and Black possess phenomenal in-ring ability to this prospect is particularly mouthwatering.
It will be extremely helpful for Black and will make for a good storyline when he eventually turns on Styles.
#2 Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns is probably the only Superstar on this list who may never turn heel in WWE. And that’s also the biggest reason why he should. Except for the initial days with The Shield, Reigns has never been the bad guy.
And the fact that he is always booked as a righteous, strong man who never loses is the reason why fans have felt disconnected from him in the past. Vince McMahon has vested a lot of trust in Reigns but he doesn't experiment with one of his most celebrated talents despite the fact that he can afford to take that risk.
It seems like a difficult decision because the ‘Big Dog’ is extremely popular amongst the kids who regularly watch WWE. It is hard to imagine him as a heel but he is undoubtedly capable of carrying that switch in the gimmick, provided the creatives book this shocking heel turn in a credible fashion.
It will also help the company in getting Reigns over with the WWE Universe, something that they have been trying to do for a really long time.
WWE had a huge opportunity at hand to book this surprise after Reigns defeated The Undertaker at WrestleMania. That gained him a lot of heart from the fans and it was the best time for the creatives to turn him heel.
The second-best time is now. Let’s be honest, Reigns' extended run as the biggest babyface in the company has now started to grow stale and he is extremely predictable.
Maybe it’s a well-planned heel turn that will help him find that spark to become an interesting character.
#1 Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is one of the most popular Superstars in WWE today. For as long as one can remember, he has been booked as the ‘Monster Among Men’ on the WWE roster. But it was only this year that he finally found himself wearing the gold.
First, he won the Intercontinental Championship and then he won the WWE Championship. Things worked out in his favor at WrestleMania 36, and he now has the title that he has deserved for so long.
It’s not that Strowman has only spent his time on the sidelines. He has found himself in the title pictures several times in the past but would always come short in the final task. This time, however, he managed to win the title. But unfortunately, there’s a high chance that he will be used as a transitional champion.
Strowman undoubtedly deserves better, but if WWE are going to use him to put over other talents, they must do it without harming his character.
Therefore, a heel turn for Strowman will be the safest bet. First of all, even if he loses, it will not hurt his gimmick because the good guys are supposed to win. Secondly, it will help Strowman in exploring the depths of a rather different character and engage in rivalries that would not be possible otherwise.
But most importantly, it will allow the creatives to bill him as one of the biggest obstacles to all those who are reaching for the top. Strowman could turn heel after he eventually loses his title to Bray Wyatt.
Considering their history, the two Superstars can account for a brilliant rivalry, provided it’s booked properly.
