Projecting the Most Likely Heel and Face Turns at WWE Royal Rumble 2023

Few WWE shows set the stage for greater stories than the Royal Rumble. It is a time to push toward WrestleMania, including crowning the No. 1 contenders to the men's and women's world titles.

One staple of this show has always been the surprises. Major stars return, and wrestlers turn against each other for the promise of glory.

The 2023 Royal Rumble has the chance to be an all-time great show, carried by the talent involved. This event has so many interesting stories waiting for a spark.

From Sami Zayn and Jey Uso's tenuous position in The Bloodline to the need for change in the women's division that can come for Asuka, Raquel Rodriguez and more, this show can bring major shifts to the roster.

The following are the most likely heel and face turns to come from the 2023 Royal Rumble.

Face: Sami Zayn And/or Jey Uso

Sami Zayn is the most popular star in WWE, but he is still technically a heel. He works like a bad guy in the ring, using shortcuts to succeed where he can. But the time is coming to change all that.

Roman Reigns is growing more aggravated with The Honorary Uce with each incident, and Zayn will face his final challenge at Saturday's Royal Rumble when The Head of the Table faces Kevin Owens.

Zayn and KO have always been connected, and The Honorary Uce is suffering for his association with his former friend and rival. If he cannot help Reigns retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, that will be the last straw.

Even if The Tribal Chief does win, there is still a chance Zayn could turn face by competing in the men's Rumble and winning it.

He has found an ally in Jey Uso who truly trusts him. If Reigns does turn on The Honorary Uce, Jey could turn against the family to protect his friend. It would make sense given that Reigns and Jey have always had a contentious relationship.

Jey could be a dark-horse candidate in the men's Rumble match, and if he wins, it would lead to an awkward situation that sees the Uso brother and Zayn turning face against The Bloodline.

Heel: Raquel Rodriguez

Raquel Rodriguez is one of the most talented women on SmackDown, but she has not felt right on the main roster as a babyface.

She has been directed to smile too often and spends far too much time helping others over promoting herself. It has led to awkward teams with Shotzi and Aliyah that have gone nowhere.

The women's Rumble match has always been every competitor for herself, but Rodriguez can triumph on her own. If she does not let her friendships override her will to win, she can find the role that can make her a star.

She is a dark horse this year who should go far. She will find far more success, though, in this match and as a heel in the long term.

Rodriguez has already set the stage for a feud with Liv Morgan that can be explored. She could even join Damage CTRL and work with her former tag team partner in NXT, Dakota Kai.

Heel: Braun Strowman

Braun Strowman is as talented a big man as WWE has, but he has struggled to find his role in SmackDown. He recently had a great match with Gunther, but it left him without direction ahead of the men's Rumble.

The Monster of All Monsters could find his way by letting go of his smile and embracing the destruction he can inflict once again.

That can begin by dominating the men's match on Saturday, including turning on his recent ally Ricochet. They would make for an intriguing rivalry on The Road to WrestleMania.

This has not been set up just yet on television, but a surprise heel turn in the Rumble matches is a common move by WWE.

Heel: Asuka

Asuka has not been seen on television in 2023 while her former tag team partner, Alexa Bliss, has gone after the Raw Women's Championship. It feels like something big is in the works for The Empress of Tomorrow.

As good as Asuka is, she has never quite been the dominant force on the main roster she was in NXT. That is not even considering her time before signing with WWE.

The Empress can show more and become a truly dangerous competitor in the women's division. That will begin with a fresh start.

If she returns in the women's Rumble match, it would make sense for her to come back with a scarier gimmick built upon the foundation of the work she did before WWE as Kana.

This is a role that makes more sense as a heel and opens up an exciting group of rivals for Asuka. It could also help her and Bliss remain a tag team with new attitudes.

Face: Lacey Evans

Lacey Evans has yet to return to the ring, but when she was last on WWE television, she was The Sassy Southern Belle. Recent promos have indicated she will be showcasing her military background when she does return.

This should mean she will be playing a more disciplined babyface role. Fans can get behind her for her steadfast dedication as a U.S. Marine in a way she struggled to get over before.

While Evans is unlikely to win the women's Royal Rumble, she does have history with Charlotte Flair. If she were to feud with The Queen into WrestleMania 39, it would make more sense for The Queen to play the heel.

That turn would not happen immediately, but it would be the next step if WWE is ready to fully push Evans as a top face on a SmackDown roster in need of talented women to step up.