Say hello to the bad guys: WWE heels who need a bigger push heading into WrestleMania 41

[ASFN Admin]

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Logan Paul looks on during "WWE Raw." (Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images

Like any scripted drama, wrestling is about balance. Tip the scales too much in favor of the babyfaces and you remove the jeopardy on which everything depends. But let the heels run wild and you end up with no one for the fans to root for.

How is WWE doing on that front? Considering the celebratory feel of January's Netflix premiere, perhaps it was inevitable that the faces would be in the ascendancy, culminating in one of the company’s hottest babyfaces for years — Jey Uso — scoring a surprise win at the Royal Rumble.

While John Cena’s shock turn at Elimination Chamber may have flipped the script in the main title scene, there’s still a feeling that the babyfaces are still dominant on “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown” — a situation that may well change as we hurtle closer to WrestleMania 41.

As we hit that final sprint on the Road to WrestleMania, here are the heels we’d love to see get a push:

Logan Paul​

I make no secret of being a big Logan Paul fan, at least when it comes to his WWE work. And now that the world-famous influencer has been drafted to “WWE Raw” (with a fantastic-looking new finisher to boot) the pieces are in place for him to receive the mother of all pushes.

After briefly teasing feuds with John Cena and CM Punk, it looks like the current plan is to have Logan Paul square off against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 41. Hopefully “The Social Media Megastar” can draw on the heelish energy of some of his recent promos, which have leaned into the legitimate antagonism that he inspires from parts of the fan base.

The WWE may not relish the comparison in the circumstances, but do I sense hints of another groundbreaking heel who used his real-life wealth and status to become television dynamite? I think we used to call him Mr. McMahon...

Gunther​

Perhaps it was his absence from the Royal Rumble — an arena where Gunther has been particularly dominant in recent years — but WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion seemed to take a back seat earlier in the year.

Thankfully, things have since stepped up a gear on “WWE Raw," where “The Ring General” has returned to his natural setting — as the megastar heel who destroys his opponents for sport. Having him choke out the much-loved Jey Uso won’t endear him to the younger fans, but we wiser heads know that he’s doing exactly what he needs to do.

The big question now is whether WWE chooses to go for the ultimate heel option and have Gunther crush the Yeet movement into dust at WrestleMania 41.

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The New Day (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston) have yet to truly capitalize on the nuclear heat they garnered late last year. (Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images

The New Day​

The two remaining members of New Day turning on their old comrade Big E was one of the biggest gut punches of the current WWE era, instantly imbuing Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods with the kind of visceral heat that would normally take months to build.

But while the twist hit like a brick at the time, things have stalled since then. A scrappy feud with Rey Mysterio has helped keep Kingston and Woods in action, but it hasn’t exactly been groundbreaking. Neither has it addressed their future with Big E.

The WWE took a bold gamble when it flipped the script on the New Day. Perhaps they should channel that same bravery in having the duo win tag-team gold — and then rub the titles in Big E’s face.

Nia Jax​

Despite being dislodged as Women’s Champion, Nia Jax continues to loom large over the women’s roster, thanks in part to another massive role in this year's Royal Rumble.

Given that Jax’s business with Tiffany Stratton looks done for now, what can the WWE do in order to capitalize on Jax’s status as a monster heel?

For me, the answer is obvious: Chelsea Green. The inaugural US Women’s Champion is the most beloved babyface in the division right now, making her the ideal target for the woman who the fans love to hate.

Sure, the idealist in me thinks that the U.S. Women’s Title should be used to elevate promising mid-carders rather than 10-year veterans. But WrestleMania matches are an exception to this rule — and this one would be dynamite.

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Is Dominik Mysterio going to break out of the Judgement Day storyline? (Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images

Dominik Mysterio​

It’s WrestleMania season and we all know what that means right? It’s time for “Dirty Dom” to dust off his boots for another showdown against his old man.

Sure, WWE could give us another iteration of Rey vs. Dom for the third year running. Or alternatively it could try something new for a man who has repeatedly proven himself as one of the most compelling scoundrels in modern wrestling.

While Dom’s television time was mostly dominated by the Rhea/Liv love triangle for the first quarter of 2025, we know WWE rates him as a solo performer. That’s why they picked him as CM Punk’s first opponent in 10 years (even if the feud was limited to the holiday house shows).

The WWE should follow that template. Having the mustachioed menace beat a popular face with some underhand tactics would send the crowds wild, and set up a feud that could run for the months to come.

Carmelo Hayes​

I hesitated as to whether to include Melo on this list. Not because I don’t rate him — quite the opposite — but because it’s not yet clear where the WWE wants to take his storyline just yet.

The blue brand got to know Hayes as the cocky loudmouth picking fights with his elders. Since then, he’s been force-fed humble pie by the likes of Cody Rhodes, Braun Strowman and Damian Priest, leaving him audibly frustrated in his interactions with "SmackDown" General Manager Nick Aldis.

Maybe the plan is for Melo to build up some maturity and prove his worth to the fans as an underdog. On the other hand, perhaps his dastardly attack on Tozawa a few weeks ago was the start of a massive heel turn, in which a frustrated Hayes lashes out at those who have the approval that he craves.

Anyone who remembers Hayes’ swan song in NXT — when he turned on his best friend Trick Williams in an echo of Sami Zayn/Kevin Owens — knows how well he plays the bad guy. So let’s keep our fingers crossed we see something similar in future.

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