Heel return??

[Klide]

Sorry for my randomness but I noticed that when ever a superstar returns to the business they would return face. And returning from injures dont count.. i mean like leaving the WWE for a few years and returning. Such as Jeff Hardy, R-truth, D-lo brown (lol),HBK (few years back), Chris Jericho and Christian.
the only one i can really think of was the Big Show??
Again sorry for a randomness thread

 

[Nation]

WTF?

 

[MikeRaw]

^I don't see the need for a "WTF??", it's a valid point. In fact, i was thinking about it the other day. It's true. It seems no matter what, when someone returns, they have to return as a face. There's several reasons for it though. Firstly, most times, WWE has no choice. When a guy like Jericho returns, or Triple H returns (like he did in 2002), or Christian returns, even if they were booed at the time they left, the fans almost never boo them. The fans have missed them so much from an entertainment standpoint that they're so excited to see the returning person back, that they cheer, even if they were a heel before. So WWE basically just gives them what they want, and brings them back as a face. It is a tad annoying though, I agree, especially when they go on to turn heel down the line anyway. It's one of those things that it's always kinda been like though.

 

[LKP]

I can see your point dude. It makes sense though does it not? Why would we care if a guy came back a bad guy? No one would really care much and i think its just a smart and right move to make. Obviously some people can also play the face better than heel. Although i love the heel christian.

 

[seX-Power]

This happened to both Mr Kennedy and Hurricane Helms I think. Both booed before injury and cheered on return.

 

[Wrestling Station]

It seems that its a a double sided coin benefit.
1- the fans missed that superstar and are excited to see him back on TV and on live shows etc.
2- the business would benefit more and more when the return is a face gimmick in terms of merchandise and ratings.

on a side note, edge's returned still as a heel even after being sent to hell by the undertaker! :shifty:

 

[Airfixx]

This happened to both Mr Kennedy and Hurricane Helms I think. Both booed before injury and cheered on return.

Kennedy was face when he got injurred just after the 2008 draft. If you meant 2007 then when he returned he was fueding with Jeff & HBK as a heel...


I concur the the point of fans being inclinded to cheer upon the return of a fave (regardless of previous character orientation), but after that initital pop, as long as the writting is good then I see no reason why they can't 'heel out' immediately and resume their previously held heel status straight away.

Example: See HHH's return at Raw Homecoming in 2005 and his all but immediate turn on Flair.

 

[noumenon]

From simply a marketing standpoint you can push merch or whatever a hell of a lot easier with a returning face than a returning heel.

 

[MikeRaw]

^Yes, but if the person is gonna turn heel down the line anyways, like a month after returning, clearly marketing and merchandise isn't that big of a concern. Like I said though, I think WWE is forced to return them as a face a little bit, because the fans are pretty much gonna cheer that person no matter what, once they return.
It's a shame though, because I prefer a heel debut/return. Makes a much better impact IMO.

 

[noumenon]

Definately. There's really no need for discussion of this at all. All you need to say is HHH's first quad return. Biggest fucking pop ever.

 

[Klide]

^I don't see the need for a "WTF??", it's a valid point. In fact, i was thinking about it the other day. It's true. It seems no matter what, when someone returns, they have to return as a face. There's several reasons for it though. Firstly, most times, WWE has no choice. When a guy like Jericho returns, or Triple H returns (like he did in 2002), or Christian returns, even if they were booed at the time they left, the fans almost never boo them. The fans have missed them so much from an entertainment standpoint that they're so excited to see the returning person back, that they cheer, even if they were a heel before. So WWE basically just gives them what they want, and brings them back as a face. It is a tad annoying though, I agree, especially when they go on to turn heel down the line anyway. It's one of those things that it's always kinda been like though.

i know huh like Y2j we became heel like in 4 months after his return or sumthin like that. and i wouldent be surprized if christian did the same

 

[Airfixx]

There's really no need for discussion of this at all.

What makes you say that? There's already been a number of contradictory examples posted in the thread... Here's another one:

Randy Orton December 2008... Yeah, he may have got some cheers, but regardless, he returned as a heel.

 

[noumenon]

I know, I don't think he was gone anywhere long enough to recieve a massive face reaction though.

 

[Airfixx]

^^^Pretty much 6 months... IS there a pre-determined length of time or sumthin'?

 

[noumenon]

I think one of their strategies is kind of a neutral build for a returning superstar. Ya know? That way they get a feel for how people are reacting to the return vignettes and shit.
Orton we knew would pretty much come back the same way if left, if not crazier (and we were right about that). A suprise return all depends on what they do the second they walk onto that entrance ramp.