Jacob Fatu challenged Roman Reigns for the world title at Backlash, pushed a competitive bout, but Reigns retained by pinfall. After the match, Fatu attacked officials and signaled a heel turn, setting up a likely rematch (potentially overseas).
Randy Orton, previously a babyface, underwent a major character change on WWE SmackDown by attacking Cody Rhodes during a contract signing, signaling a return to his 2009-era heel persona and setting up their Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42, with Orton drawing unexpected crowd support as Rhodes was left bloodied.
This WWE stock report highlights the rise of The Brons as main event heels and the fall of Rey Fenix, Jacob Fatu, and Seth Rollins due to injuries and storyline setbacks, while CM Punk, Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, and Ilja Dragunov see their stock rise with significant wins and returns.
Sammy Guevara turned heel at ROH Death Before Dishonor, winning the ROH Tag Titles with a surprise partner, Rush, and attacking the Von Erichs, marking a significant heel turn in his wrestling persona.
Paul Heyman discussed John Cena's abrupt end to his heel turn before SummerSlam, highlighting the audience's complex reactions—booing him as a heel but cheering him as a beloved star at the end, demonstrating their understanding of wrestling performance and Cena's connection with fans.
John Cena has reverted to his face persona on WWE SmackDown ahead of his SummerSlam match against Cody Rhodes, after a storyline where Rhodes challenged him to a street fight and Cena publicly thanked Rhodes for pushing him to be his true self, culminating in a celebratory moment with fans.
John Cena ends his heel persona on WWE SmackDown, returning as a fan-favorite and addressing his past misdirection, setting up a potential face-off with Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam.
Hulk Hogan's shocking transition from all-American hero to villain in 1996 revolutionized professional wrestling, leading to the creation of the popular nWo faction and shifting industry dynamics, although it also impacted his public image.
A recently debuted WWE star, formerly AEW Women's World Champion Mariah May, now known as Blake Monroe, is expected to undergo a heel turn soon on NXT, with plans for her to turn heel in the near future after initially appearing as a babyface.
WWE is considering turning Blake Monroe, a recent NXT debutant, from a babyface to a heel, with discussions ongoing about a potential heel run in the near future, despite long-term plans for her character.
WWE is planning to turn Blake Monroe, who recently debuted on NXT, into a heel character in the near future, despite her current face role, as part of long-term storyline development.
Former AEW Women's World Champion Mariah May, now known as Blake Monroe in WWE NXT, is reportedly being considered for a heel turn soon after her debut as a face, with discussions about her turning heel already underway within NXT. Monroe recently aligned with Jordynne Grace and is set to face Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley at the Great American Bash, with her heel turn possibly happening in the near future.
WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley speculated on the recent heel turn of The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods against Big E on WWE RAW, suggesting it might be a strategic setup for a future storyline twist. Dudley hinted that the apparent breakup could be a ruse to unite against The Bloodline, with Big E potentially making a surprise return. He acknowledged the longevity of The New Day's partnership since 2015 and the potential for new developments in their storyline.
WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley speculates that The New Day's recent heel turn could be a setup for a surprise reunion with Big E to take on The Bloodline. Dudley acknowledges the group's long history since 2015 and suggests that while a swerve could be exciting, the future remains uncertain.
The latest episode of WWE SmackDown featured a mix of highlights and disappointments. Fans appreciated the introduction of a WWE Transfer Window, which could refresh the brand split concept, and the intense women's match showcasing Bianca Belair, Piper Niven, and Chelsea Green. However, there was criticism over the lack of significant fallout from Survivor Series and the underutilization of Elektra Lopez despite her strong performance. Additionally, the #DIY tag team finally turned heel, adding intrigue to their storyline, while Chad Gable's involvement in the Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens narrative was seen as a misstep.