.png?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
All Elite Wrestling have excelled in terms of character work, promos, and rivalries in their first three years since their formation in 2019. The freedom for wrestlers to speak for themselves, as well as the less restrictive TV rating, has led to incredibly exciting angles that has had viewers on the edge of their seats.
However, Tony Khan and AEW aren’t flawless in their booking, and they have been prone to a poor choice of character alignment on occasion. Which wrestlers among AEW’s ranks could benefit from a character shift from babyface to heel, or vice versa?
10 Heel: Samoa Joe
While this would be a hard sell to some AEW viewers given his immense popularity, Samoa Joe has always thrived as a heel with his viciousness and brutality on full display.
His AEW run has certainly been very good thus far, but this would light a fire in a way that could send Joe rising up the card in no time. AEW have a shortage of bad guys in the main event scene; Joe is a perfect candidate for such a position.
9 Face: PAC
PAC is one of the most exhilarating in-ring performers in AEW, with his unbelievable athleticism and moveset. Now, with the addition of the All Atlantic Championship, could be the perfect opportunity to capitalize on PAC’s brilliance and shift his character in a new direction.
Viewers are undoubtedly appreciative of his ability already, if AEW were to lean into his exciting offense they could have a new babyface main event star on their hands.
8 Heel: Bryan Danielson
Some viewers will argue this has already been leaned into during Danielson's feud with 'Hangman' Adam Page, but seeing a full-blown heel turn for Danielson would be a treat for AEW viewers given the electrifying potential of such a move.
His recent tension with Eddie Kingston would be a fantastic way to lean into a more devious and sneaky Danielson as we have seen in the past opposite a fan-favorite in Kingston. A main-event level heel waiting to happen, this would be a bold but spectacular move by AEW.
7 Face: Kyle O'Reilly
Kyle O’Reilly is a fantastic wrestler who has demonstrated such in recent weeks on Dynamite, particularly in his main event match against Jon Moxley. While ReDRagon is a spectacular duo, the potential for O’Reilly as a singles babyface is too tempting to look past.
He could easily rise the card with the support of the crowd creating another star for AEW. While he is a stellar tag team wrestler, O’Reilly’s ability could be seriously utilized in the singles scene as a babyface.
6 Heel: Jon Moxley
This would certainly cause some controversy or division among AEW viewers, but it would be a boldly brilliant move by AEW. Clearly Moxley is immensely popular with audiences everywhere, but the potential for an even more brutal, sadistic Jon Moxley as a top heel is too enticing to look past.
A Moxley vs Punk feud with Moxley leaning into more devious tactics or outright brutalizing Punk would be incredible if AEW are willing to take the risk. Or, a fiery attack on Hiroshi Tanahashi during, or after, their match at Forbidden Door for the Interim AEW World Championship.
5 Face: Britt Baker
Britt Baker has been AEW’s biggest female star in a stellar heel run for years now. Turning heel on the 22nd of January 2020 edition of Dynamite after chastising commentator Tony Schiavone, Baker has been on top ever since as AEW Women’s World Champion until her recent loss to Thunder Rosa.
While the women’s division already has a few babyface stars such as Rosa, Toni Storm, and Ruby Soho, a refreshing change of pace would be a face turn for Baker. Her popularity among audiences is already immense, so this would be a simple and clever move from AEW.
4 Heel: CM Punk
CM Punk is currently injured after a foot injury requiring surgery, as AEW are set to crown an Interim World Champion at Forbidden Door on June 26th. With Jon Moxley facing Hiroshi Tanahashi, the likelihood of Moxley winning is high, but it’s not wise counting Tanahashi out either.
What better way for Punk to establish his status as the true champion than to attack the winner post-match, or simply lean into more devious tactics upon his return? This could be an enticing angle if AEW were to risk turning their biggest star into the top bad guy, in controversial but exciting fashion.
3 Face: Adam Cole
Adam Cole is a tremendous talent and has been one of AEW’s top heels since his debut at 2021’s All Out. However, his immense popularity never fails to radiate despite his status as a bad guy.
Were AEW to lean into this crowd reaction could lead to a fantastic shift of direction for Cole, without any need to change his character in any way. The potential feuds are incredibly exciting for a babyface Adam Cole in AEW if they are brave enough to attempt the story.
2 Heel: 'Hangman' Adam Page
While Page has certainly maintained momentum despite his AEW World Championship loss to CM Punk at Double or Nothing, there is always the possibility of a heel turn for Page in the coming weeks or months. Again, it would be a bold move given his immense popularity, but seeing a fire lit under Page’s character like never before would be spectacular.
Some viewers may argue that if AEW were to execute this, they would have done so at Double or Nothing when Page teased hitting Punk with the championship belt. However, there is still time to consider it as an option, even in a huge double turn with Adam Cole as they re-ignite their rivalry, or in a huge re-match with Punk.
1 Face: MJF
MJF is arguably AEW’s hottest star right now due to his on-screen and off-screen feud with Tony Khan that has taken the wrestling world by storm. This is a splendid opportunity to capitalize MJF into main event stardom as the crowd rallies behind him.
While MJF has demonstrated his ability to be a top heel particularly with his promos, this could be a brilliant shift in character that would lead to tremendous stories in the main event scene with MJF as a babyface.