Failed Face Turns in Professional Wrestling: Why Do They Fail?
Professional wrestling, a world where drama and storytelling reign supreme, often employs face turns as a key plot device. A face turn occurs when a wrestler goes from being a face (hero) to a heel (villain) or vice versa. However, not all face turns are successful. In fact, many have proven to be costly and counterproductive to the show's narrative and audience engagement. This article explores some of the most notable failed face turns in professional wrestling, with a focus on why they didn't work.
Turn the Miz: A Recent and Memorable Failure
When The Miz transitioned from a beloved face to a heel persona a few years ago, the audience's reaction was immediate and harsh. The transition was so impactful that audiences turned on him like a dime, especially when he was put against the immensely popular Dolph Ziggler. The sudden change in character dynamics and a lack of trust from fans made it difficult for The Miz to transform from a beloved hero to an antagonist, highlighting the importance of consistent character development and fan engagement.
A Perfect Example of a Failed Face Turn: PoP
One of the most notable failed face turns in WWE involves The Powers of Pain (PoP). The team had previously worked as heels in WCW, a move that did not sit well with the new WWE audience. Upon their transition to WWE, PoP was paired against the undefeated Demolition, a top heel team at the time, with the goal of turning them face. However, PoP's charisma was lacking, making the audience skeptical of their new direction. The lack of character development and charisma hindered the face turn, leading to a failure in audience engagement and buy-in.
Historic Failures: Terry Taylor and Hogan's Red and Yellow Experiment
While discussing failed face turns, we cannot ignore the classic example of Terry Taylor and Hulk Hogan's transition to heels. Terry Taylor's attempt to turn heel by aligning with Bobby Heenan's Red Rooster character was not only unsuccessful but also one of the dumbest gimmicks in wrestling history. Similarly, Hogan's ill-fated attempt to return to the red and yellow costume and character in 1999 presents a cautionary tale. The transition was abrupt and the character development was lacking, making it difficult for fans to embrace the new direction. This failure demonstrated the importance of carefully planning a character's transition to ensure it aligns with the audience's expectations and the show's narrative.
The Sting-Hogan Collaboration: A Disastrous Heel Turn
A particularly noteworthy failure stem from a failed heel turn and poorly executed speculation. In 1999, Hogan decided to turn heel against his longtime nemesis Sting for an impending title match, but the narrative was not well-received by audience members and the storyline itself was flawed. The attempt at developing trust between the two characters was poorly executed, as Sting undermined Hogan's efforts before the match. The symbolism of Sting using a baseball bat to defeat Hogan while claiming it was Hogan's trust that shouldn't be believed further alienated fans. The storyline failed because Hogan's transition to heel was too abrupt, and he presented the same character traits as he had in the past, making it difficult for fans to trust him. Additionally, the struggle between these two beloved characters didn't resonate well with the audience, who remained loyal to Sting.
Lessons from Failed Face Turns
Failed face turns are a reminder of what not to do in professional wrestling. Key takeaways include the necessity of consistent character development, an understanding of the audience's expectations, and effective storytelling. Wrestling promotions must carefully plan transitions to ensure they are believable and engaging. Additionally, creative teams must consider the fan base and the character's history to create a believable and impactful narrative.
In conclusion, failed face turns in professional wrestling serve as cautionary tales of what can happen when character development and storytelling are left wanting. From recent events like The Miz's sudden heel turn to historical failures such as Hogan's transition to heels, these incidents highlight the importance of careful planning and the understanding of one's audience.