WWE SummerSlam 2026 is fast approaching and will be one of the biggest premium live events of the year.
On the road to SummerSlam, there could be some notable heel turns that sees popular babyfaces embrace the dark side moving forward.
The weeks leading into SummerSlam could see a number of characters changing before our eyes.
Here are seven potential heel turns before WWE SummerSlam 2026.
7. Paige
Paige returned to WWE at WrestleMania 42 as the replacement for the injured Nikki Bella, winning the Women’s Tag Team Title alongside Brie Bella
At WWE WrestleMania 42 night one, Paige made her return to the company to team with Brie Bella to defeat The Irresistible Forces, Bayley & Lyra Valkyria and Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Since then, Paige and Brie have proven themselves to be fighting champions not backing down to any challengers for their titles.
However, this partnership with Brie Bella has always felt like a short term deal that will one day come to an end.
Paige turning heel on Brie could set her on the course to be one of the most prominent stars in the WWE women’s division moving forward.
6. Maxxine Dupri
Maxxine Dupri did not accept Chad Gable’s apology to Alpha Academy
Over the past few months, fans have seen Maxxine Dupri starting an undefined relationship with Austin Theory.
After being seen in backstage segments for months, Dupri and Theory have started to reference their relationship more openly.
The former WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion most recently cut a scathing promo on her former mentor Chad Gable, showing off a new attitude.
Dupri officially turning heel would be fitting and help her in the next step of her young career.
5. Royce Keys
Royce Keys held the AEW TNT Championship and World Trios Championship as Powerhouse Hobbs before joining WWE
Since signing with WWE in early 2026, Royce Keys has become one of the most consistently featured talents on Friday Night SmackDown.
The former Powerhouse Hobbs has been highlighted in a series of backstage segments with both Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.
Referencing his past friendship with The Bloodline members, Keys looks to be on the precipice of becoming more of a vocal participant in this ongoing storyline.
Keys turning heel could see him align with Sikoa against his former friend Jacob Fatu and the rest of The Bloodline.
4. Sheamus
Sheamus has long been chasing the final title he needs to complete the WWE Grand Slam – the Intercontinental Championship
Back in November 2025, Sheamus was put on the sidelines thanks to a serious shoulder injury.
‘The Celtic Warrior’ remains one of the most consistent and reliable in-ring workers in all of WWE.
Whenever it is time for his return, Sheamus might be better suited turning heel and working against the top babyfaces in the company.
Looking at the likes of CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and LA Knight, there are many babyfaces on the WWE roster that would benefit from feuding with Sheamus in the near future.
3. LA Knight
LA Knight originally joined WWE developmental in 2013 and was released in 2014
In recent weeks, LA Knight has become the most vocal opposition against The Bloodline on Monday Night Raw.
Despite remaining one of the most popular babyfaces on the roster, Knight has garnered a bit of heat when he has expressed his hatred for Roman Reigns and his family.
While he usually gets one of the loudest cheers from the fans, Knight could be better utilized by being highlighted as a heel moving forward.
Knight becoming a top heel could finally open the door for ‘The Megastar’ to become a world champion in the near future.
2. Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes is a three-time Undisputed WWE Champion
For months, fans have speculated if Cody Rhodes might turn heel sometime in the future.
Over the past four years, ‘The American Nightmare’ has proven himself to be one of the biggest babyfaces in wrestling today.
Rhodes has battled some of the best WWE has to offer, but he has shown signs of doing things the wrong way to get what he wants.
Embracing his worst instincts, Rhodes could become a compelling character on WWE TV as a heel who still believes he is the good guy in a similar vein to Sami Zayn.
1. CM Punk
CM Punk lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns at WWE WrestleMania 42 Sunday
On the road to WrestleMania 42, CM Punk found himself in opposition to Roman Reigns and The Usos.
This led to some moments where Punk received a negative reaction from the fans due to his scathing barbs towards ‘The OTC.’
‘The Best In The World’ has done some of the best work of his career as a heel and has not played the role in more than 13 years.
Feeling like it is the right time to make this change, Punk could return to WWE and immediately turn heel, becoming a threat to every top babyface in the promotion.
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