Learning from past mistakes - 4 Reasons why Baron Corbin should remain a babyface in his current WWE SmackDown run
After a long WWE career on both RAW and SmackDown, Baron Corbin returned to NXT earlier this year. He initially maintained his heel status when battling Ilja Dragunov, Trick Williams, and other faces of the brand.
In his pairing with Bron Breakker as The Wolfdogs, Corbin started to show glimpses of what he could do as a face. The absurd comments and disagreements between the two endeared the tag team to the fans. It also led Corbin and Breakker to a short run with the tag team titles.
The former US Champion was drafted back to SmackDown, but this time, he has acted as a face. After a few months of playing a good guy, Baron Corbin should remain a babyface in WWE for the next four reasons.
#4. He was likable in The Wolfdogs
The main dynamic that made The Wolfdogs work was the back-and-forth between Corbin and Breakker. Each star thought they were the MVP of the team, but when it came to performing in the ring, they held it together.
Breakker's outlandish comments bounced off the even-keeled Corbin, endearing the heels to the fans. The debate about the team's name led to the "Wolfdogs" moniker. The two stars began to listen to each other since they brought different things to the table.
Despite the loss on SmackDown, Corbin displayed some chemistry with Apollo Crews. The former Money in the Bank winner even performed a high-flying move over the top rope. He's not known for jumping all around the ring.
Working in a tag team on SmackDown could maintain what he started in NXT with Bron Breakker. There aren't many heroic duos other than The Street Profits and DIY on Friday nights.
#3. He showed a humorous side as a face in NXT
Throughout his WWE career, Baron Corbin has portrayed an annoying heel. He's been The Lone Wolf, Happy Corbin, King Corbin, Bum Corbin, and Constable Corbin. It was easy for fans to boo him because he easily annoyed them with his comments and antics.
Once he showed his comedic timing in NXT, it looked like a face turn could be around the corner. Complete performers can work both sides of the coin, and being strong on the mic allows a star to adapt.
Corbin's segments with Breakker showed a different side, one that was different from everything else he's shown the WWE Universe.
#2. WWE's New Era is full of brash young stars
Over the last two years, several arrogant young stars or brash heels have joined the main roster. SmackDown has Grayson Waller, Austin Theory, Santos Escobar, Carmelo Hayes, and Logan Paul. Before rising in popularity, LA Knight would have been a part of the list.
The simple logistics required some stars to turn heel and others to turn face. The new names like Hayes, Waller, and Paul will always think they're better than everyone, regardless of that person's achievements.
Corbin has talked the talk and walked the walk and can test these arrogant stars as someone who's been in their shoes.
#1. He can claim to have learned from his past mistakes in WWE
An easy way for a long-time heel to turn face is self-reflection. After years of doing things one way, a veteran can look back and say they regret their past actions and want to change.
An in-ring promo can quickly achieve this, as evidenced by Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and others when they've turned from the dark side. Corbin has years of experience under his belt and has seen a lot of people come and go.
He realized his past characters weren't really indicative of who he was but instead crutches he leaned on to obtain success. Showing the world that you've changed in a meaningful way can get the fans on your side. Corbin has mentioned this a few times that he was shedding his past for a different future.