Randy Orton, Finn Balor and Most Likely Heel Turns at WWE Royal Rumble 2018

The 2018 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view is the official start to the road to WrestleMania 34, but it’s also the perfect place for a Superstar to turn heel and begin building a long-term storyline.

With big-name wrestlers like Randy Orton, Finn Balor and Jason Jordan all showing signs that a character change could be imminent, Sunday’s show could be a crucial point in building to a successful WrestleMania.

Here are the most likely heel turns at the 2018 edition of the Royal Rumble.

Randy Orton

Since winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 33, Orton has been wallowing in mediocre programs and aimless storylines. That must change at the Royal Rumble, and the victim will likely be Shinsuke Nakamura.

Orton has always been at his best when he is a heel with a reason behind his aggression. After weeks of teaming with Nakamura on SmackDown with no purpose or direction, Orton should turn and eliminate him from the 30-man Battle Royal.

After hitting the RKO on his former partner on the go-home episode of SmackDown, the stage has been set.

Nakamura should be furious after Orton turns on him and should head back into the ring to eliminate the Viper himself. Then, the two men can fight up the ramp and to the back, officially starting a feud that would continue until April.

Finn Balor

Over the last several weeks, Balor has been working with his former New Japan Pro Wrestling friends Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. At the Royal Rumble, it’s time for Balor to show his dark side.

While Balor doesn’t have to go full-blown heel, Gallows and Anderson should use any means necessary to help their friend get the win. Balor likely won’t pull off the victory, but the Balor Club should at least dominate a portion of the match.

Balor should also eliminate several fan favorites to really drive home the point that he takes no prisoners anymore and shows no mercy.

Jason Jordan

When Jordan teams up with Seth Rollins to defend the Raw Tag Team Championships, everyone will be anticipating some form of turmoil between the champions, resulting in a title change.

Cesaro and Sheamus undoubtedly deserve another run with the championships, but the stage will be the perfect moment for Jordan to walk out on Rollins and finally show his true colors to a WWE Universe that almost couldn’t hate him more.

While wrestling fans nearly booed Jordan out of the building during the Raw 25 celebration, the cascade of jeers blanketing Kurt Angle’s “son” after leaving Rollins to take the loss on his own would be deafening.

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