Most Likely Heel or Face Turns at WWE SummerSlam 2024

SummerSlam 2024 will be a special moment for WWE as one of the biggest shows of the calendar year.

The loaded card includes Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa, Damian Priest vs. Gunther, Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley, and Bayley vs. Nia Jax. These grudge matches will also feature the top titles on the line.

Saturday's show at Cleveland Browns Stadium also promises some major changes for the company. Major stars could return while others make major moves.

The Judgment Day is on the brink of disaster, with both Dominik Mysterio and Finn Bálor teasing breaking away from the group.

The self-proclaimed new Tribal Chief, Solo Sikoa, could face the wrath of Roman Reigns, or Cody Rhodes might be the victim of a betrayal within his own group of allies.

Anything is possible, but the following are the most likely heel and face turns coming out of SummerSlam.

Face: Rhea Ripley

While Rhea Ripley is on the edge of running as a face, the turn will only be completed based on the results of her match with Liv Morgan.

A full babyface run for Mami would likely begin with betrayal. Dominik Mysterio has a choice to make, and he may just opt for Morgan over his Judgment Day stablemate.

While Dirty Dom has repeatedly proclaimed his innocence when it comes to his relationship with Morgan, backstage hints and foreshadowing indicate he may be lying.

Ripley has played a dominant game over Mysterio, but Morgan has presented him with an opportunity to be the lead man rather than a follower.

If Dirty Dom proves his nickname is well-earned, Ripley will be left without gold and betrayed by one of her closest allies. This could get even worse for her based on how the result affects all of the group.

Face: Damian Priest

Damian Priest is also playing the babyface in his run to SummerSlam, but it will only be a role that sticks based on his match with Gunther.

The Ring General is helping Priest fully embrace a fan-favorite persona. He has forced the Judgment Day member to acknowledge his personal struggles over the years and his desire to be great.

Win or lose, though, The Archer of Infamy's biggest concern may be his own friend, Finn Bálor. The Irishman has plotted behind his back for months and could show his true colors when it matters most.

While WWE has long teased that The Judgment Day could break up at any moment, SummerSlam stands as a true crossroads for the faction.

The best bet would be Priest and Ripley walking away without gold or allies, forging their own path away from the group they initially formed with Edge in early 2022.

Heel: Randy Orton

Cody Rhodes has the best odds of any current champion in WWE to retain their gold at SummerSlam. BetOnline lists him as a -5000 favorite.

It may take some help from men such as Kevin Owens, Randy Orton and possibly even DIY to ensure he survives Solo Sikoa's best shot, though.

Once the dust has settled, The American Nightmare will need a new challenger. The heel options on SmackDown are solid but not outstanding.

For that reason alone, Orton turning on Rhodes at SummerSlam is a real possibility. It only helps that The Viper has clearly been eyeing the Undisputed WWE Championship at every turn.

Orton rarely stays a babyface for long in WWE. It's just not in his nature. Rhodes vs. Orton would be the feud of the fall if it begins with a dramatic heel turn this weekend.

Face: Roman Reigns

While Cody Rhodes may survive Solo Sikoa and move onto other challengers, the new Bloodline leader has always had his sights set on a man past The American Nightmare.

Roman Reigns' disappearance after WrestleMania 40 allowed Sikoa to take over the family group, but he has removed Jey Uso and Paul Heyman while recruiting Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu instead.

It is inevitable that Reigns will return to challenge Sikoa for the title of Tribal Chief. When he does, he will be a face for the first time since 2020.

Hopefully, Reigns will not lose his edge but simply embrace the crowd acknowledging him as the true Tribal Chief.

A return at SummerSlam is not a guarantee, but the moment would make the event special, especially since this show is also where The Tribal Chief first made his mark in 2020.