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WWE Superstars are known to play the characters that are handed to them. Superstars perform as babyfaces or heels, and their characters help the creative team book some great rivalries.
Many fans have questioned why superstars would want to play heel characters and get booed when they can get cheered as babyfaces. However, superstars have explained that playing villainous characters helps them grow and do something different.
Over the years, several top superstars have personally requested that the company turn them heel. Many superstars have even approached Vince McMahon for such a request.
Take a look at the five top WWE Superstars who once requested to turn heel.
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#5. Former WWE SmackDown Champion Bayley wanted to change her look and turn heel
Former WWE SmackDown Champion Bayley carried the entire company on her shoulders during the pandemic era. Bayley turned out to be a shining star as she performed her heart out without a live crowd in attendance.
The Role Model had a great heel turn that helped her reach the top of WWE. Bayley was asked about her heel turn and how she has transitioned into a new role by Newsweek.com.
When questioned whether the turn was her idea or WWE’s, the former SmackDown Women's Champion said:
“A little bit of both. When this first happened I had to, I think it was [WWE’s] Hell in a Cell when I lost the title to Charlotte for like a week or something, and I had to cry and put on this big ol’ scene and cry and blah blah blah. And I knew I couldn’t come back to being the same Bayley. What, am I going to cry and everything is going to be ok? What would be the point of that? I always had this idea of wanting to be a heel whether people believed I could do it or not because I had this John Cena little-kid run where, no, you’re going to be the same forever. Cena can do that—he’s awesome, but I don’t want to do that. I want to try different avenues in wrestling as long as I have my career going. It was kind of my idea, I pitched everything I wanted to do and my look and all this stuff and when it was approved I was like, ‘Oh crap. Well, this better work,'” Bayley said.
The Role Model has been one of the best things about SmackDown over the past couple of years. However, an unfortunate injury slowed her down recently. Fans will be waiting for Bayley to return soon and get back in the SmackDown Women’s Championship picture.
#4. Finn Balor returned to WWE NXT as a heel in 2019
Finn Balor is currently one of the biggest names in WWE. He has carved a niche for himself in the company and has become one of its top performers over the past many years.
At WWE SummerSlam 2019, Balor was defeated by ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt after a quick match. Balor then moved back to WWE NXT and started appearing for the brand in October 2019.
The Prince reportedly discussed his move with Triple H and Vince McMahon before deciding to turn heel. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Balor spoke about his decision to bring forward "The Prince" character.
“Everybody talks about ‘Finn going back to NXT’ when in reality I’ve gone back to who I was. I’d been caught up in the bubble of WWE and what they wanted me to be and how they expected me to perform as a character, and I took some time off to re-evaluate who I am and where I came from,” Finn revealed.
“I re-evaluated what I want to do and what I want to achieve, and I decided the best thing for me is to be true to who I am. I don’t fit the mold to play corporate ball and please everyone. I need to please myself, so I’m going to shake the trees and see what falls out,” Balor said.
Finn Balor struck gold with his new character and managed to take the brand by a storm. He had an extended stay in NXT that saw him become the brand’s top champion.
#3. Daniel Bryan turned heel on SmackDown in 2018 to win the WWE Championship
Daniel Bryan was one of the top babyface WWE Superstars of all time. Bryan fought as an underdog in most of his big matches and gave fans some great feel-good moments.
Roman Reigns defeated Bryan earlier this year and ended his WWE SmackDown career. Fans aren’t sure whether they will watch The Planet’s Champion in WWE again or not.
In 2018, just a few days before WWE Survivor Series, Daniel Bryan faced AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. The Yes Man shocked the WWE Universe after he low-blowed Styles and won the title to end his 371-day WWE Championship reign.
During an episode of Wrestling Observer Radio that followed, Dave Meltzer stated that Bryan himself pitched to turn heel. He pitched it to Vince McMahon, who finally agreed to it.
"Daniel Bryan has been pushing the idea of going heel," Meltzer said. "Whatever the reason, I don't know the reason. But it was over the weekend, Vince changed plans and wanted to go with Brock Lesnar against Daniel Bryan. This is before the Becky Lynch injury. The heel turn was decided [Tuesday] afternoon. It was basically Vince saying 'let's do it all in one day and get the biggest impact.'"
The heel-turn, coupled with the title change, gave fans a once-in-a-lifetime match between Brock Lesnar and Bryan at Survivor Series. The Yes Man had a great run on SmackDown following his turn that saw him get into several big rivalries.
#2. Roman Reigns wanted to turn heel for his return at WWE SummerSlam 2020
After the break-up of The Shield, Roman Reigns became one of the biggest babyface superstars in WWE. Even when fans did not get behind The Big Dog, WWE continued to push him as a babyface.
After taking a break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Reigns returned to WWE SummerSlam 2020 to take down Braun Strowman and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt. It was soon clear that Reigns had returned as a heel to begin a new journey in WWE.
During an interview with Fox Sports, The Tribal Chief was asked about his heel turn and who was behind the idea.
"I’ve always wanted to turn heel," Reigns said. "I didn’t feel like I should have been the babyface out of the Shield group."
"So, it was one of those things where it was like, 'Man, I want to do this because I know I can tap into a different level of character work. I know I can create so many more layers as a performer if they allow me to do this, but the numbers just wouldn’t let me."
"When the opportunity came I jumped on it. It was kind of a team discussion. Obviously, you gotta have the big man involved and gotta have the blessing from him. But, it just all seemed to work out with perfect timing," Reigns said.
Roman Reigns has since been the greatest heel in all of WWE. He’s held the Universal Championship for almost a year now and has taken down the biggest men in the industry to retain his title.
#1. Becky Lynch asked to turn heel before her return at WWE SummerSlam 2021
Becky Lynch has had one of the greatest rises in all of WWE. Becky’s “The Man” character has helped her reach new heights in the wrestling industry.
After Lynch took a break last year, fans patiently waited for her to return to wrestling. She surprised the WWE Universe with a big return at SummerSlam 2021 and picked up a quick victory over Bianca Belair to become the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.
According to reports, Becky returned as a heel at SummerSlam and picked up a quick victory to draw heat towards her.
“PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple WWE sources that Becky Lynch is now a heel,” Johnson wrote. “Yes, you read that correctly. We are told that going forward, Lynch will be positioned as the top heel on Smackdown, initially feuding with Bianca Belair.”
In a report from Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline, Becky Lynch's heel turn was something that she herself requested and the company granted. Fans will be able to watch Lynch perform as a heel on Friday Nights going forward.
It’ll be interesting to see how The Man builds her new character in the months to come. Will she ultimately join her husband, Seth Rollins, in a storyline?
