Opinion

Tiffany’s Take: When Turns Don’t Go As Planned

Tiffany takes a look back at the face and heel turns that simply did not work. Did yours make the list?

Published

5 years ago

July 22, 2020

TiffanyMC

Dusty Rhodes Scott Hall NWO Chairshot Edit

Tiffany takes a look back at the face and heel turns that simply did not work. Did yours make the list?

Last week, I talked about why it’s not enough to turn a wrestler heel or face, there has to be a plan, the wrestler has to actually benefit, and, more importantly, the fans have to get behind it. Take any of those things out, and your turn falls apart like a cheap pair of shoes. However, there have been turns that REALLY didn’t work out or didn’t work as planned. Let’s take a look at those.

Johnny Power

This took place in the 70s, which was before my time, but according to the lovely commenter that told me this story, Johnny Power was a SUPER over babyface for the Cleveland, Ohio based National Wrestling Federation, until he briefly turned heel against Ernie Ladd, with the help of Ox Baker, and the fan reaction was so violent that it began a cascade of events that basically killed the NWF. I’m not familiar with Power, but I’m going to guess that the fans didn’t get behind that turn.

Hacksaw Jim Duggan

If you’ve never heard this story, yes, Hacksaw Jim Duggan briefly turned heel, and turned his back on the United States and became Canadian. Fans didn’t get behind it because Duggan was a beloved figure, even if his days as a badass in Mid-South were long gone. However, the story behind it, as told by Lance Storm, of using Duggan’s RL cancer as the catalyst for the turn and his patriotism as the catalyst for the return, would’ve at least made for an interesting story.

Dusty Rhodes

Even though Dusty started out as a heel in the early days of his career, his turn in the 90s and run as manager of the Outsiders did NOT go well, from my understanding. No one could understand why Rhodes, who bled WCW and ran the company for years, would turn his back and join the nWo. Fortunately, it didn’t last long.

Goldberg

I have no idea what was going on with this, as I wasn’t watching WCW at the time, however, from doing research, and talking to people who DID watch WCW then, my understanding is that WCW was losing in the ratings and needed to do SOMETHING to try and get the fans back. I’m not sure just WHY they thought turning fan favorite Goldberg heel and having him sell out to Bischoff and Russo was the way to go. Needless to say, it flopped.

DDP (WCW)

This was my first introduction to DDP and what makes it memorable to me was how ANGRY my boyfriend at the time, who was a HUGE WCW fan, was over this. DDP had been a heel several times in WCW and the tweener People’s Champion of WCW, but his revelation as the creepy stalker of Undertaker’s legit wife at the time, Sara, was not a great introduction for WWE faithful, or a good turn. DDP’s reasoning for the escapade ‘Make me famous!’ enraged fans like my ex, who RAGED that DDP didn’t need the Undertaker to be famous. DDP would eventually turn face-ish, but the horrible introduction and his sudden retirement due to injuries basically doomed the turn and his WWE run. My ex never forgave WWE for how they did DDP and Booker T, and having now seen them in WCW, I understand why he was so mad.

Randy Orton

It’s hard to pin down any one particular face turn that flopped for Randy Orton, fans like him, heel or face, but I think we all have accepted by this point that Orton’s true form is as a psychotic, sadistic heel and trying to make him a babyface is pointless.

The McMahon Family

Much like Orton, while the McMahon Family have played the faces from time to time, but they’re at their maniacal best as the heel owners of WWE. I will say that Shane McMahon’s most recent return as a face and turn into an egotistical heel was quite a storyline.

Hulk Hogan (2002)

This was an interesting mirror image of Hogan’s heel turn in WCW. When Vince McMahon brought back the nWo as a way to keep WWE out of the grip of Ric Flair, his unwanted business partner, he’d counted on the fans embracing the once hot faction in its original form. There was just ONE little problem: The WWE faithful didn’t want to boo the still beloved Hulk Hogan. Not only that, but they also wanted THEIR Hulk Hogan back. Not the black and white, nWo, WCW version, but the ‘real’ Hogan, the Hogan that wore red and yellow.

Unlike his WCW run, where Hogan was up against the beloved Ric Flair, and his own less than stellar wrestling, and needed the heel turn to revive his career; in WWE, Hogan was still revered as the red and yellow superhero of the 80s and early 90s, and no amount of heelish acts, including nearly killing the Rock with an semi, could make the WWE Universe turn on their beloved Hulkster. Thankfully, Vince McMahon realized that he’d make more money with red and yellow Hogan of old, than the nWo version.

The Rock (2003)

Even though the Rock’s initial heel turn in 1998 made him a huge fan favorite, his heel turn in 2003 went less well. While fans had embraced Rock as a heel in 98, his return as an arrogant, Hollywood heel and screwing over Hogan at the behest of Vince McMahon, went over like a lead balloon. About the only thing remotely interesting about that turn was Rock vs Goldberg, which is pretty sad. Rock would get a pyrrhic victory over Stone Cold Steve Austin, but that was after Austin had been gone for nearly a year after a falling out with Vince McMahon.

The Midnight Express

I didn’t watch WCW as a child, but listening to Jim Cornette, the manager of the Midnight Express, talk about the group’s final years in WCW, as well as as a group, and watching WCW on the Network, made this turn very interesting. The Midnight Express had been proud heels, as well as one of the best tag teams in the business, when Dusty Rhodes, the booker of WCW, decided to turn the Midnight Express face in order for them to feud with the Original Midnight Express, managed by Paul Heyman.

I can’t really say this turn didn’t go as planned, the fans seemed to enjoy being able to cheer for the Midnight Express, but the turn didn’t really fit a group that had been so proudly heel. When they turned heel on the Dynamic Dudes, the fans were ecstatic, though that could also be because the Dynamic Dudes SUCKED!

The Road Warriors

If there was ever an example of a heel turn not only not going as planned, but having some wild, unintended consequences, it’s this one. Even though the Road Warriors started out, and looked like, badass heels, they’d quickly gotten over as babyfaces. However, in 1988, Dusty Rhodes, the booker for WCW, decided to turn them heel, by having them beat the shit out of the heel Midnight Express before the match even started.

However, the turn didn’t work because the fans didn’t want to boo the Road Warriors and, I’m guessing, to try and get the the heel turn back on track, Rhodes booked the infamous ‘Spike’ angle where the Road Warriors drove one of their spikes into Rhodes’ eye. If that sounds familiar, that’s because AEW, headed by Rhodes’ son, Cody, rebooted that angle with Chris Jericho, his Inner Circle faction, and Jon Moxley, to much more success. For Rhodes Sr, the angle lead to his ouster as booker, which lead to his departure from WCW, and left the booking in the hands a rotating cast of people, including the infamous Jim Herd, who didn’t know wrestling and ran off most of the established talent that DID know wrestling. That’s a whole lot of mess stemming from an attempt to get a heel turn over.

The Four Horsemen

Yes, that did happen. For a brief time in 1989-90, the Four Horsemen, one of the most notorious, and influential, heel factions of all time, were babyfaces, even including Flair’s arch-rival, Sting. However, thankfully, the turn turned out to be a ruse and they turned on Sting, and returned to their natural state as heels.

The Usos

This was actually going to be included in the first article, but I forgot. The Usos had been DESPERATELY needing to get away from their babyface gimmick which had gotten stale, especially against New Day, so when WWE decided to turn them heel in 2017, it did make the Usos hot again, but it didn’t make them heels because the fans cheered even louder for them, over the beloved New Day. The Usos officially turned face again by helping Roman Reigns in his feud with Baron Corbin.

As I said in my first article on this, there’s more to a successful heel or face turn than just the wrestler snapping or seeing the error of their ways. There has to be a plan, but it’s clear that no amount of planning will work if the fans aren’t into the turn, or if they don’t react the way the booker expects them to and, as much as we mock them, the fans make the business move and they’ll always have the final say on whether a turn works or not.

Note: I forgot to mention them last week, but I owe a HUGE amount of thanks to @view_raw, @rbonne1, @ChairshotGreg, and @HeelWillMahoney for all their help with these two articles. I also want to thank Richard C for the Johnny Power story that spawned this.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Classic POD is WAR

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1