'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
We’ve seen more shocking WWE heel turns in 2017 than any other year in recent memory. From Big Cass and Enzo Amore on Raw to Sami Zayn and Mojo Rawley on SmackDown Live, it’s certainly been a year of back-stabbings and betrayals.
On the flip side, face turns have been less frequent over the last 12 months, with Charlotte Flair, Bobby Roode, AJ Styles and Braun Strowman the only high-profile characters to have had a positive shift of attitude.
Looking down the rosters for both Raw and SmackDown, the number of full-time heels far outweighs the number of full-time babyfaces.
So, with that in mind, we predict the next five WWE Superstars who will switch to the good side in the next few months.
#1 Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe has been one of WWE’s best heels ever since he turned on Finn Balor in NXT two years ago – but he also has the potential to be one of the best babyfaces.
There was no clearer sign of this than at Great Balls of Fire and SummerSlam earlier this year when Joe, supposedly the biggest bad guy in both of his main-event matches, was cheered louder than anyone.
Suggestions that he would return from his recent injury as a babyface were quickly dismissed when he cut a heel promo on the night of his comeback, but you only have to listen to fans during his entrance theme to realise just how popular “The Samoan Submission Machine” really is.
There are plenty of heel opponents who Joe could face on Monday Night Raw, so don’t be surprised if WWE has him switch between babyface and heel opponents, much like they do with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, in the near future.
#2 Drew Gulak
If you’d have been told a few months ago that 205 Live was either going to have its own live events in January 2018 or it was going to be cancelled from the WWE Network forever, you’d probably have guessed that the latter would happen.
However, WWE has announced that the cruiserweight division will be going on its very own mini-tour for three shows in January, presumably with a view for the 205lbs and under Superstars to become their own touring brand.
We’ve seen more and more cruiserweight performers get screen time over the last few months, most notably Drew Gulak, and the division has a totally different feel to it now than it had a few months ago.
There’s no better character on 205 Live right now than "Gabba-Gulak" and it’s no surprise to see him having a more important role every time he’s on our screens. If the WWE Universe continues to support him in the way they have recently, expect a face turn in the not-too-distant future.
#3 Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt is a peculiar man who spends much of his time rocking away in a dark room while he talks about devils, demons and claims to have the spirit of his dead sister living inside of him.
On any other television show, Bray would be a bad guy. But this is WWE we’re talking about. This is a company whose most iconic and well-respected performer, The Undertaker, spent 27 years playing a man who is literally dead and the fans loved it.
So, looking at it that way, would it be so strange to see “The Eater of Worlds” turn face for the first time in his WWE career? It has only been seriously teased on one occasion, shortly after WrestleMania 32 during an angle with Roman Reigns, during his four years on the main roster.
Even the biggest fans of Bray will admit that 2017 hasn’t been a great year storyline-wise for him, so a significant change to his character, possibly during his feud with “Woken” Matt Hardy, could well be best for business.
#4 Hideo Itami
Bobby Roode and Asuka’s NXT journeys saw them debut as babyfaces, turn heel and then turn face again before joining WWE’s main roster – and that’s exactly what many are expecting when Hideo Itami debuts on 205 Live.
There were huge expectations for the man formerly known as Kenta when he officially signed with WWE in 2014. However, two major injuries delayed his progress and restricted him to just one main-roster appearance.
That came at WrestleMania 31 when he was the only Superstar from NXT to be involved in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, in which he gave a good account of himself before being eliminated by Big Show.
WWE has confirmed that Hideo will finally be joining the cruiserweight division soon and with the ever-annoying Enzo Amore currently holding the title, it’d make sense for Hideo to be a face when we next see him on television.
#5 Rusev
During his first year on the main roster, Rusev was one of the most-hated characters WWE had seen for a very long time. He despised America, he had "Ravishing Russian" Lana by his side, he had the United States Championship – the guy had everything he needed.
Fast forward to now and, as is the ever-changing way with WWE, he’s evolved into a comedic bad guy whose alignment with Aiden English has seen him become one of the most entertaining Superstars on the SmackDown Live roster.
“The Bulgarian Brute” has never been an out-and-out good guy in the eyes of the fans, but if he continues to gain support with his new “Rusev Day” gimmick, WWE will be left with no choice but to make him a babyface.
Viewers of Total Divas will know what a likeable, charismatic person Rusev is in real life, so there’s no doubt he’d succeed as a good guy if WWE ever decides to fully go down that path.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
