Examining Damien Sandow's Possible Future as a Babyface Superstar

Damien Sandow is a WWE Superstar in desperate need of a change.  Once heralded by many fans as a possible main event star in the making, Sandow has since slipped down to the point of irrelevancy in Vince McMahon's company.  

But perhaps the answer to Sandow's woes was recently realized on Friday Night SmackDown.  Perhaps what Sandow needs is a face turn to right the ship and get himself back on track.

The moment in question came on the March 14 SmackDown.  Triple H cut a promo on the Daniel Bryan situation from the previous Monday Night Raw.  He then openly criticized Sandow for not getting in the ring as ordered while Bryan and his "Yes Movement" followers were staging their protest.

Sandow came to the ring after Hunter called him out and apologized as he was told.  He was then forced to face Seth Rollins of The Shield, in a match that he ultimately lost.  But that was not the outcome that some fans perhaps wanted.

credit: wwe.com

The moment Damien Sandow came face to face with The Game was the moment that his character could have made a change.  He could have stood eye to eye with Triple H and simply stated he would not apologize and that maybe, just maybe, Daniel Bryan was right.

It would have been the beginning of a face turn that quite possibly could have set Sandow's WWE career on the right path once again.  Sandow didn't have to scream, get physical with Hunter or insult The Authority in any way.  All he had to do was just take a stand.

That moment may still happen.  And for Damien's fans, a change cannot come fast enough.

The biggest reason for that lies in the somewhat ridiculous win-loss record that Sandow has compiled in recent months.  Since 2014 began, Damien Sandow is 1-9 in televised matches.  While it's true that victories may not mean much in terms of where the company plans on taking a talent, many fans do still care about how often a guy loses.

credit: wwe.com

It's all fans have to go on, all they have to decide who's worth their time and who is not. Even the best Superstars with the most loyal fanbases need to eventually start winning in order for the majority of the WWE faithful to care about them.

And even if losses do not necessarily equal importance in the long run, Sandow's 10 matches took place over a 10-week period.  So not only is he not winning, but he's just barely getting on TV.

But a face turn could change everything.  And it could work on every level.

The turn would obviously come out of frustration for Damien.  He could cut a promo, telling the world that perhaps he had been wrong about his outlook.  His elitist attitude is obviously not getting him anywhere, and in the time he's been in WWE, he has met many fans who are perhaps making him think twice about the way he has treated others.

And then the key turn could happen.  Whether it's saying no to Triple H or maybe even making the save for babyface, the truth is that right now, very little effort is likely required to get Sandow over as a protagonist.

That's because he's just so entertaining.  Despite the fact that he's been heel during his entire WWE run, many fans appreciate what Sandow does in the ring and on the mic.  And when a respected Superstar goes on a losing streak, fans usually cannot wait until he finally gets back on the right track.

So assuming the face turn will happen, what would happen next with Sandow?

Since he had a run-in with The Shield on SmackDown, perhaps Sandow could pursue Dean Ambrose for the United States Championship.  The belt has become so incredibly insignificant, mostly because Dean so rarely defends it.  Many would likely say that it's rather meaningless at this point.

But around the waist of a newly minted babyface in Damien Sandow, suddenly the belt takes on a whole new meaning.  

However, a championship may not be enough for Damien's new run.  Maybe a forum for his mic skills would be in order.

Some of the best highlights in WWE history stem from the talk show format.  From Roddy "Piper's Pit" to Edge's "Cutting Edge," the best talkers have had avenues to showcase their skills on WWE programming. This would be a great way for fans to warm up to Sandow as a protagonist, to embrace him as their new favorite.

Sandow could employ the same elitist, snobbish tactics he has used on babyface Superstars in the past. Only now, he could use them against the heels in WWE.  It would be a whole new Damien Sandow for a whole new chapter in his career.

Of course, the question inevitably would be: When would the WWE World Championship be in the equation for Sandow?  The reality is that even though Sandow has the skills to be champion, it just may not be feasible for the immediate future.

With Daniel Bryan being on the cusp of winning the belt as well as the unknown involving Triple H now being in the running at WrestleMania 30, there seems to be no room for anyone else.  Once again, Sandow could find himself out in the cold for the main event scene in WWE.

But that would not stop him from succeeding with every opportunity that the company gives him.  And at some point, he could become so hot that he would perhaps reach Bryan's current level.  If that happens, then WWE would have no choice but to put Sandow in the running for the industry's top prize.

Despite what happens with Damien Sandow, he needs a new direction, a new boost to put him back on the map for fans.  He has the talent, the experience and the ability to get it done.  All he needs now is the chance to prove it.