Three AEW stars that need to turn heel in 2025
AEW has become the landscape for some of the most premier athletes in the world. The roster assembled by company President and CEO, Tony Khan, includes marquee names. Many of those stars have reached the top and grabbed the brass ring. However, a huge portion of stars are yet to realise that potential or are lost in the shuffle.
An easy fix for stars looking to ascend to the next level or reclaim a position they once held is to turn them to the dark side, i.e., a heel turn. Over the years, this formula has proven effective for some of the industry's most prominent names.
Some prime examples are The Rock, who turned heel and joined the Nation of Domination to begin his rise to main event status. Another is his own cousin, Roman Reigns, who struggled for many years as a babyface but found major stardom once he turned heel in 2020. Looking at the current landscape of AEW, here are three top stars who could benefit from a heel turn.
#3. Jay White
Tony Khan made a huge acquisition last year when Jay White became an official member of the AEW roster. The Switchblade has made a considerable impact in the wrestling world. He became renowned for his tenure as the leader of the Bullet Club in Japan. However, White has not been able to replicate that roaring success in All Elite Wrestling.
There was a report that suggested White might turn heel before he suffered a hand injury in March 2025. He seems like a natural heel, and it could happen upon his return to the Jacksonville-based promotion.
#2. Swerve Strickland
Swerve Strickland is one of the top attractions for AEW, who ascended to the main event last year when he became the AEW World Champion, defeating Samoa Joe at the Dynasty pay-per-view. He then had a feud with Bryan Danielson and was presented as a monster heel in front of the fan favorite American Dragon.
This led to his popularity and fame reaching an all-time high. Strickland could experience that same level of success again by turning into a full-fledged heel. This could come in handy for his current feud with Will Ospreay, while also serving as a pathway to reclaim the AEW World Championship.
#1. Kenny Omega
All Elite Wrestling thrived and was at its peak when Kenny Omega was a heel in the company. Before he was diagnosed with diverticulitis, The Cleaner was having a remarkable tenure as a bad guy and was even the World Champion. He and his cohorts, The Elite ruled the roost of the company and were seemingly untouchable at the time.
While his babyface run today is also being appreciated, Omega as a heel had a completely different aura. AEW could revisit that time as early as their All In: Texas event. Omega could defeat his longtime rival, Kazuchika Okada, in their scheduled match and shock the fans by taking him down with a post-match assault to go back to his old persona.