Projecting the Most Likely Heel and Face Turns at WWE Backlash 2024

Backlash 2024 will be just the second show of the official Triple H era following WrestleMania 40, and the pieces are moving on building a fresh show.

The roster is in flux following the WWE draft, and Backlash could be an opportunity for key names to make a major splash at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France.

That could just mean memorable matches, but moments in WWE can often supersede the in-ring work.

Few moments in WWE resonate quite like a heel or face turn at the right moment, and Saturday's premium live event has plenty of opportunities for turns that could change the business.

Will Kevin Owens or Randy Orton turn against one another? Will Finn Bálor say enough is a enough with Damian Priest's disrespect? Could AJ Styles find new allies in his match with Cody Rhodes, or will his old friends become the bad guys he needs?

These are the most heel and face turns that could come out of Backlash.

Heel: Randy Orton or Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens and Randy Orton continue to tease a tag team alliance, but neither needs to work with the other to thrive in the current WWE landscape.

This sets up the possibility that one of the two men could be setting up a dramatic heel turn.

Both are close to career heels. The Viper has almost always found sustained success as a villain.

One of KO's best-known character beats is that he cannot be trusted. Time and again, he has turned on everyone he works with, returning to his most memorable role as the dominant and physical monster heel.

Unless this team is setting up for a sustained run to the WWE Tag Team Championships, the only way to go from here is a dramatic turn.

An attack by either man on the other after a devastating loss to The Bloodline would be a major moment for Backlash.

Heel: The O.C.

AJ Styles turned heel on the road to WrestleMania 40, building a feud with LA Knight that does not look to be done just yet.

However, to get The Phenomenal One to the next stage as a bad guy, he needs allies. While Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Michin have connections to Styles, he has refused to work with them as they keep losing.

This leave two options: The O.C. finds a way to get back into The Phenomenal One's good graces or he finds new allies to align himself with.

Gallows and Anderson need Styles to thrive. They have not been able to find success without him, so it's best for their future to align with him.

Michin has the ability to thrive with or without the 46-year-old, but she is currently directionless.

On one of the biggest nights of Styles' career, The O.C. could step up to help him. If they were to go bad and helped him defeat Cody Rhodes or at least beat The American Nightmare down after the match, it would get the whole crew back on track.

Face: Finn Bálor

Each month without fail, WWE teases someone in The Judgment Day going rogue. With Rhea Ripley out indefinitely, Damian Priest has stepped up and seems to be pushing Finn Bálor to the back.

Bálor is not someone who plays well as a support character. He has lost fan interest lately as just a guy behind The Punishment.

However, that could change quickly if The Prince decides enough is enough. It seems more likely at this stage he would be the one to turn face over Priest in a coming rivalry.

The Punishment is looking to establish himself as a dominant world champion, and a feud with the Irishman would make sense to help both build their credibility again.

The teases may lead to nothing, but Bálor turning on Priest makes too much sense for it not to be a possibility on Saturday.

Heel: Liv Morgan

Liv Morgan has leaned into her worst tendencies as of late, including mocking Rhea Ripley after she vacated the Women's World Championship.

However, the 29-year-old has still not fully embraced her position as the heel in this story. Much like Drew McIntyre before his full descent, she is waiting for her opportunity to truly strike.

It seems likely that will come at the expense of Becky Lynch, who slowed her "revenge tour" by winning the Women's World Championship by eliminating The Queen of Extreme.

Morgan's attack on Ripley was justified due to what Mami did to her first. When she goes after The Man just to take the world title, that will be the tipping point.

Lynch vs. Morgan has not been announced for Backlash yet, but The Man has been marketed on the Backlash poster and could well make an appearance on a short card.

It would be the perfect stage for Morgan to make her biggest statement.