John Cena turned the pro wrestling world on its head when he turned heel back at WWE Elimination Chamber in March. It was a completely unexpected move, and a bold one considering Cena is in the midst of his WWE retirement tour. And while one could argue that it hasn’t been everything it could be, it’s still one of the more interesting things in pro wrestling.
When it comes to the virtual bookers out there for WWE 2K25 Universe Mode, turning wrestlers babyface or heel can be a daunting task, especially at the top of the card. After all, all change when it comes to a top star can have a ripple effect throughout the entire promotion, be it good or bad. So which Superstars are most fertile for a change from beloved babyface to loathed heel?
Here are some top babyfaces you should turn heel in WWE 2K25 Universe Mode.
Top Babyfaces You Should Definitely Turn Heel in WWE 2K25 Universe Mode
CM Punk
Since his shocking return to the company back in November 2023, CM Punk has had one of the best runs of his career during his second stint with WWE. He and Drew McIntyre had easily one of the best feuds of recent memory in 2024, and his chase for a spot in a WrestleMania main event was nothing short of compelling. Punk eventually got that main event, headlining Night 1 of WrestleMania 41 in a triple-threat match against top stars Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.
Now that a major blemish on his career has been cleared, the next logical step for CM Punk is obviously turning heel.
Though an amazing babyface with an uncanny ability to connect with the audience, Punk’s runs as a heel in the past have all been quality. His stint as the cult-like leader of the Straight Edge Society is among some of the best work he’s ever done. And though he couldn’t exactly rehabilitate the Nexus faction due to shoddy booking, it did lead to his infamous “Pipe Bomb” promo, which many consider to be a watershed moment in pro wrestling.
If you’re looking for something massive to book in Universe Mode, turn Punk heel and give him a stable. Maybe even take a page out of 2K’s book and make your own version of Mutiny with fledgling NXT stars!
Cody Rhodes
Since returning to WWE in 2022, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes has been one of, if not the, top babyface in the company. And he’s been a great one at that. Rhodes made wrestling history at WrestleMania 40 by ending Roman Reigns’ historic run as WWE Undisputed Champion, and subsequently became the face of the company for a whole year. But now that his reign as the top babyface has come to an end, maybe it’s time to start planning for his turn to the dark side.
Cody Rhodes being a heel isn’t an entirely foreign concept. After leaving WWE in 2016 due to creative differences with the company, Rhodes formed the “American Nightmare” gimmick on the independent circuit originally as a heel character. He even led the villainous Bullet Club once upon a time in New Japan Pro Wrestling. This run on the American indies and abroad got him over with wrestling fans and showed everything he could be when WWE wasn’t parading him out as some kind of joke.
Don’t get me wrong, Cody is great as a babyface. And I’m sure WWE has no real plans to turn him anytime soon. But this is Universe Mode, where the possibilities are endless and things such as ratings or merch sales mean diddly squat. So why not turn Cody heel, have him collect a few heaters, and then have him be the top heel champion in WWE?
Bianca Belair
When it comes to WWE’s women’s division, Bianca Belair is one of the most complete stars not just within the company but in the entire wrestling ecosphere. She’s got a great look, has a lot of charisma, and can work a quality program with darn near anyone. But something has shifted in terms of her character in the last several months. Once one of the company’s top babyfaces, Belair has seen a lot of WWE fans turn on her since the change of the calendar year. And the environment is now ripe for Universe Mode players to go all the way and turn her heel.
The story practically makes itself. Though Naomi taking out her friend and former tag partner Jade Cargill was certainly a betrayal, Belair could (in theory) feel sympathetic towards Naomi. After all, Jade being taken out didn’t hurt Belair’s prospects in the women’s tag division. And Jade taking revenge on Naomi added some unneeded stress and turmoil during a time when Belair was pursuing a world championship. So maybe aligning her with Naomi and turning her heel is the way to go.
Also, WWE has no shortage of babyfaces in the women’s division. Rhea Ripley is a transcendent star, and Stephanie Vaquer is ready for the spotlight as well. Jade Cargill could be on her way, too. So there’s no shortage of booking possibilities. If you’re booking intergender wrestling, then the possibilities are even more endless.
Penta
Despite debuting as early as January, Penta has already ascended to the upper echelon of wrestlers in WWE. An exciting luchador with a broad moveset, stunning athleticism, and one of the best masks ever seen, Penta is certainly a superstar who has all of the tools needed to draw tons of money for WWE. But despite being extremely over as a babyface right now, Penta does have plenty of experience when it comes to being a heel.
During his Lucha Underground days, Penta not only thrived as a heel, but a very dark one at that. Just by looking at him, you can tell there’s a violence simmering under the surface. And should Universe Mode players wish to explore that, there will be plenty of material there to have fun with.
Now, the prospects of him turning heel in real life are slim to none. Not only is he still fresh when it comes to WWE audiences, but he’s a massive merch seller and one of WWE’s biggest assets when it comes to attracting Mexican audiences. But again, none of this matters in Universe Mode. So turn him heel, align him with a created version of his brother Rey Fenix, and have him enter the Intercontinental Championship picture where he can act as a heel buffer to the top of the card.
