Seth Rollins Should Remain Heel over the Long Term

The countdown to the Seth Rollins babyface turn has begun.

Rollins will be in the always awkward role as the much smaller heel in a match against living, breathing beast Brock Lesnar.

WWE continues to tease tension between him and The Authority, and a match against consummate heel Triple H almost seems inevitable.

According to Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline (h/t WrestlingInc.com), there are plans for a Rollins-Triple H feud with Rollins playing the role of babyface.

If Rollins comes out of his feud against Lesnar and makes it to SummerSlam as a full-fledged heel, many would consider this an upset. Just look at the tweets predicting a kinder, gentler Rollins:

"

I can't wait when Seth Rollins becomes a babyface.

— Mr Curbstomp  (@SKO23Rollins) June 26, 2015"

"

Just Turn Seth Rollins Babyface Already @wwe #RAW

— тнєєαѕт¢σαѕтρℓαувσу™ (@LilRJUnlimited) June 23, 2015"

"

Once Seth Rollins turns baby face, he is gonna be so over with the fans.

— yusuf (@XtremezDon) June 16, 2015"

While Rollins' fast-paced, technical in-ring style is fitting for a babyface, his work as a heel is superb. As I mentioned on the PodNasty Wrestling Podcast, Rollins is able to rise above his Internet Wrestling pedigree to the point that he doesn't even receive cheers from the stubborn vocal minority. Everybody joins in for chants of "You sold out" and "Justin Bieber."

Kevin Owens is currently a top heel in WWE. His list of enemies reads like a WWE playbill. Still, fans are encouraged to chant "Fight, Owens, fight" through WWE merchandise and promos by rival John Cena. As good as he is, Owens still exudes traces of the cool, likable heel.

Rollins is an ironic babyface to nobody.

Rollins has been hurt by a series of shady title defenses, but his portrayal of a spoiled, entitled champion remains strong.

WWE can continue telling this story while keeping him heel. Triple H as the responsible executive who needs to stop the monster he created can allow Triple H to be the one who turns babyface.

With Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns all babyfaces, the temptation will be too great for an ill-fated Shield reunion just one year after their split.

WWE has a good thing going with a heel Rollins. It will only get better if Rollins gains more momentum as an obnoxious golden boy by beating Triple H.

Alfred Konuwa is a featured columnist and on-air host for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter and subscribe to his weekly wrestling podcast.