The WWE turned several superstars heel in 2016 including A.J. Styles, Chris Jericho, Brock Lesnar, The Usos and Neville. In 2017, expect the same thing as the WWE tries to create a new set of bad guys the fans want to boo. Here is the list of five WWE superstars who need to turn heel this year.
Dean Ambrose
2016 was the year of "The Lunatic Fringe" as he won the Intercontinental and WWE World championships. However, the fans turned on Ambrose for his character's lack of improvement. His persona is back to being the crazy, unpredictable lunatic that he is during his feud with The Miz.
But why not try it with Dean as a heel? It will revitalize his career and turn him into one of the most hated stars in the WWE. The funny Ambrose is already used up so the WWE needs to turn him bad and let him wreak havoc on SmackDown Live.
Sasha Banks
"The Boss" was the biggest female babyface on the main roster last year. However, 2017 is the year the WWE needs to turn her heel and to the real "The Boss" character. Banks has worked heel back in NXT and she looked more comfortable in that role.
The WWE also has the perfect babyface replacement for Sasha in Bayley, who is the most popular female superstar on the roster. The story writes itself as Sasha grows jealous of Bayley and they re-create the magic of their NXT rivalry in 2015.
The New Day
The Raw tag team division lacks real heels since The Club has been booked poorly and no one takes The Shining Stars seriously. According to Ringside News, the WWE has been planning to turn the longest-reigning tag champs bad but they are waiting for the right time.
Many fans are calling for their breakup but it would be better if they become a heel stable and take over Raw. Xavier Woods can compete in the cruiserweight division, Kofi Kingston turns his attention on the U.S. title while Big E. goes after the Universal championship. Together, The New Day could be unstoppable.
John Cena
Why not, right? The WWE has already started teasing his heel turn last week with an arrogant promo on SmackDown Live. But knowing Vince McMahon, he is very reluctant to turn John Cena into a bad guy. The 39-year-old is still the face of the WWE and his charity work outside of wrestling is admirable.
However, the WWE also need to create some buzz this year and Cena turning heel might be the biggest storyline of the decade. And as for worrying about the merchandise sales, adults will surely buy his new gears that are not rainbow-colored fruity pebbles because Cena is cool again.
Roman Reigns
Isn't Roman Reigns a heel already? The majority of fans inside the arena boo him out of the building and the internet wrestling community hates him with all of their passion. Why not turn him heel and let him be his real self?
If you haven't watch Reigns on several non-WWE related videos, you will notice that he's actually a cool guy. You'll also notice that he is kind of arrogant and cocky which would totally work as his new wrestling character. The WWE could blend it with Reigns' original "First Class" character back in FCW.
"Roman Reigns is always dressed to impress and takes great pride in the presentation of the most valuable commodity in WWE, himself. Roman Reigns is simply First Class in every aspect of life," Reigns' official bio on FCW.com states.
Turning Reigns from the Kevlar-wearing, Shield looking superstar into his arrogant, "First Class" character could do wonders for his career. Fans would legitimately hate the guy who calls himself the most valuable commodity in the WWE because it's true.
Check out the video below for one of the rare Roman Reigns heel promo down in developmental. And for more WWE news, rumors and updates, just follow me on Twitter @johnnyrundown.