Some of the biggest moments in pro-wrestling and sports entertainment have come from the classic "heel turn". When a "face" or good guy flips the switch and let's out his inner bad guy (hey yo!). Those of us who were brought to the dance with WWE (then WWF) in the 80's could never forget when one of the biggest fan favorites of all-time in Andre The Giant turned heel on a classic "Piper's Pit" segment hosted by the rowdy one himself Roddy Piper and his guest, the immortal Hulk Hogan. Andre, joined by his new manager Bobby The Brain Heenan, ripped the shirt and cross off of Hulk, and was the beginning of the road to one of the greatest events in all of sports and entertainment, Wrestlemania III. Another was the birth of The Heartbreak Kid in Shawn Michaels, when he turned heel against long time partner Marty Jannetty, super-kicking him as well as throwing him through the window of the "Barber Shop". The late 90's saw two more big heel turns, with Rocky Maivia becoming The Rock, and who could forget when Hulk Hogan was revealed to be "the third man" and launching the nWo.
There have been many, many heel turns though out time, but based on the examples listed before, a simple turn can lead to much bigger and much better things for not just the individual but the business over-all. Of course, a turn doesn't always equal success, short nor long term (Goldberg/New Blood?), but the following list contains people that may as well give it a try. For some it's simply a re-freshening to prolong their career, others it's an opportunity to possibly go up a level or so, and then there are those who could simply cause tremors through out the mainstream media and bring attention back to the profession.
Kofi Kingston
Remember Shelton Benjamin? Great athlete, was always the highlight of any ladder match he was in, but just couldn't quite make it past mid-card status? Well, Kofi is the same thing but with dreads. However, there is a difference. Kofi seems a little more comfortable on the mic than Shelton was, and in this biz that is very good. The chances of there being a IC or US title match with Kofi involved, are about the same as there being a 6-Man tag match on Smackdown! (really high, for those unaware). That and a combination of being a "face" since debuting, is leading to staleness, and eventually fans could turn. Why not beat them to the punch, and shock them. Perhaps as part of a group or faction, but regardless Kofi is in the spotlight getting a huge push. Could be Rock-like, and if not, simply turn back.
John Cena
Yes, we know, "the kids". But, there must be a way to work this so that he is a "heel" for those of us old enough to attend an event without a parent or guardian and still be a "face" for the kids. Perhaps something similar to Bret Hart back in the day where he was hated by the US crowds, but fan favorite everywhere else. I will admit though, regardless of how it is done, it will be hard as those who "boo" now could likely "cheer" when the turn happens. Forever looking for our next Stone Cold perhaps.
Rey Mysterio
I think he was a heel at one time or another back in the WCW days, but how long ago was that? He has been a "face" since entering the WWE back in the early 2000's, and the "underdog" bit has run its course awhile ago. Now it is unlikely as Rey must be winding down his career due to the endless list of injuries and surgeries, but perhaps a change could help him go out with a big bang, or even lengthen it. Especially if he develops more of a ground attack for his inring moves, tease the classic moves but flip off the fans and not do them. Even blame the fans for his body being broken. Join up with Alberto Del Rio (who should always stay heel by the way) or Vicki. Although likely not as big as a Hulk Hogan turn was, but never say never in this industry right? With the fan base he has it's possible.
The Great Khali
Okay, many might say he should just retire. However, despite his immobility he is still an attraction much like Andre The Giant was even at the twilight of his career. Being teamed up with Hornswoggle and being made out as a joke just isn't working. I say out Hornswoggle through a table, and then simply operate as a monster with a "get in, destroy all, leave" way of doing things. Although, he could garner fan cheers doing that to Hornswoggle, so perhaps Santino Marella.
Santino Marella
Speaking of Santino, he is tough one to knock. Although he is the comedy source of the shows, he performs very well both in the ring and on the mic. Wouldn't be mainstream big, but it would be WWE Universe big if the Cobra started lashing out at same "faces" (pun intended). To really make this turn work, they could tap into his Italian roots and perhaps show him as an evil genius and leader beneath his funny man exterior. Even perhaps give him a faction similar to that of a mafia (yes, even TNA's "Main Event Mafia"), and a push to go along with it if all goes well that is.
Eric Young
Figured I needed a TNA person on here, but to be honest, everyone there has turned and turned back so I am going with EY himself. Yes they tried this before, but there wasn't really a push or build up to the reveal that I could remember. Why not try it again? And make him like Santino above, a brilliant bad guy contradicting his "face" persona.
Like I said in the beginning, these aren't guaranteed to work, but one can dream.
Stay Nerdy!
There have been many, many heel turns though out time, but based on the examples listed before, a simple turn can lead to much bigger and much better things for not just the individual but the business over-all. Of course, a turn doesn't always equal success, short nor long term (Goldberg/New Blood?), but the following list contains people that may as well give it a try. For some it's simply a re-freshening to prolong their career, others it's an opportunity to possibly go up a level or so, and then there are those who could simply cause tremors through out the mainstream media and bring attention back to the profession.
Remember Shelton Benjamin? Great athlete, was always the highlight of any ladder match he was in, but just couldn't quite make it past mid-card status? Well, Kofi is the same thing but with dreads. However, there is a difference. Kofi seems a little more comfortable on the mic than Shelton was, and in this biz that is very good. The chances of there being a IC or US title match with Kofi involved, are about the same as there being a 6-Man tag match on Smackdown! (really high, for those unaware). That and a combination of being a "face" since debuting, is leading to staleness, and eventually fans could turn. Why not beat them to the punch, and shock them. Perhaps as part of a group or faction, but regardless Kofi is in the spotlight getting a huge push. Could be Rock-like, and if not, simply turn back.
John Cena
Yes, we know, "the kids". But, there must be a way to work this so that he is a "heel" for those of us old enough to attend an event without a parent or guardian and still be a "face" for the kids. Perhaps something similar to Bret Hart back in the day where he was hated by the US crowds, but fan favorite everywhere else. I will admit though, regardless of how it is done, it will be hard as those who "boo" now could likely "cheer" when the turn happens. Forever looking for our next Stone Cold perhaps.
Rey Mysterio
I think he was a heel at one time or another back in the WCW days, but how long ago was that? He has been a "face" since entering the WWE back in the early 2000's, and the "underdog" bit has run its course awhile ago. Now it is unlikely as Rey must be winding down his career due to the endless list of injuries and surgeries, but perhaps a change could help him go out with a big bang, or even lengthen it. Especially if he develops more of a ground attack for his inring moves, tease the classic moves but flip off the fans and not do them. Even blame the fans for his body being broken. Join up with Alberto Del Rio (who should always stay heel by the way) or Vicki. Although likely not as big as a Hulk Hogan turn was, but never say never in this industry right? With the fan base he has it's possible.
The Great Khali
Okay, many might say he should just retire. However, despite his immobility he is still an attraction much like Andre The Giant was even at the twilight of his career. Being teamed up with Hornswoggle and being made out as a joke just isn't working. I say out Hornswoggle through a table, and then simply operate as a monster with a "get in, destroy all, leave" way of doing things. Although, he could garner fan cheers doing that to Hornswoggle, so perhaps Santino Marella.
Santino Marella
Speaking of Santino, he is tough one to knock. Although he is the comedy source of the shows, he performs very well both in the ring and on the mic. Wouldn't be mainstream big, but it would be WWE Universe big if the Cobra started lashing out at same "faces" (pun intended). To really make this turn work, they could tap into his Italian roots and perhaps show him as an evil genius and leader beneath his funny man exterior. Even perhaps give him a faction similar to that of a mafia (yes, even TNA's "Main Event Mafia"), and a push to go along with it if all goes well that is.
Eric Young
Figured I needed a TNA person on here, but to be honest, everyone there has turned and turned back so I am going with EY himself. Yes they tried this before, but there wasn't really a push or build up to the reveal that I could remember. Why not try it again? And make him like Santino above, a brilliant bad guy contradicting his "face" persona.
Like I said in the beginning, these aren't guaranteed to work, but one can dream.
Stay Nerdy!
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