AEW Babyfaces Who Will Absolutely Never Turn Heel
10 Unshakable AEW Babyfaces Who Will Absolutely Never Turn Heel. Finding pure, universally loved AEW babyfaces is becoming a massive rarity in the modern professional wrestling landscape. Audiences frequently grow tired of traditional good guys, forcing promoters to constantly shift characters back and forth across the moral line. Yet, a select group of exceptional athletes on the All Elite Wrestling roster possess an unbreakable bond with the fans.
These beloved performers connect so naturally with the crowd that a villainous turn feels completely impossible. While several of these icons spent their pre-AEW careers working as hated villains across the global independent circuit, Tony Khan has wisely kept them on the righteous path. Let us count down the top ten AEW babyfaces who are locked into their heroic roles for the rest of their careers.
Let’s Begin
The stage is officially set, and the paths of righteousness have been walked by many, but only a select few will stay on this side forever. As we look at the shifting landscape of professional wrestling today, we must look at the standard-bearers who hold the line for what it means to be a true hero. Let’s jump straight into our countdown and explore the absolute elite of fan favorites.
10. Adam Copeland
The legendary “Rated-R Superstar” entered All Elite Wrestling with a roaring ovation, instantly cementing his place among the top AEW babyfaces. Even though he spent the better part of the 2000s acting as one of WWE’s most sinister, manipulative villains, his modern run is fueled entirely by legacy and crowd respect.
Copeland occasionally unleashes a terrifying, violent edge when pushed to his absolute limit by bitter rivals. However, the wrestling community completely refuses to boo a living legend who is openly enjoying his final career chapter. He serves as a guiding light for the younger generation, meaning a dark turn is totally out of the question.
Wrestling fans know him as a master of psychological warfare who once defined what it meant to be a despised heel. Seeing him break out the old aggression against the likes of Christian Cage or The House of Black adds depth to his heroic journey rather than diminishing it. He has evolved past the need for cheap boos, securing a permanent spot as an elder statesman of the babyface camp.
9. Thunder Rosa
La Mera Mera has been a pillar of the women’s division since 2020, standing tall as one of the most reliable AEW babyfaces on television. Her gritty, never-say-die fighting spirit resonates perfectly with fans who watched her scratch and claw her way to the world championship.
Longtime fans might remember her pre-AEW career in Lucha Underground, where she played the villainous Reptile Tribe leader, Kobra Moon. Despite that dark past, her real-life journey and philanthropic connection to the community make her an untouchable heroic figure today.
Her unmasked presentation allows her true personality and relentless work ethic to take center stage, making her a symbol of perseverance. Fans connect with the struggles she has overcome both inside and outside the ring, ensuring an incredibly strong bond. Forcing her into a villainous role would alienate an audience that views her as an authentic warrior.
8. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Since arriving in All Elite Wrestling to battle the nefarious Don Callis Family, “Speedball” Mike Bailey has captured hearts with his jaw-dropping martial arts offense. Bailey represents the pure, honorable martial artist archetype who fights strictly for competition and respect.
He previously explored aggressive, heelish tendencies during an intense X-Division run in TNA, but his current presentation is entirely wholesome. The breathtaking speed and infectious energy he brings to the ring ensure that he remains a definitive fan favorite.
His unique style blends lightning-fast martial arts kicks with high-flying maneuvers, capturing the imagination of live crowds instantly. Bailey’s martial arts bowing custom and respectful sportsmanship reinforce his status as an honorable fighter. Attempting to turn someone with such an organically pure and exciting style into a bad guy would simply fly in the face of logic.
7. Willow Nightingale
If you looked up the definition of natural AEW babyfaces in a dictionary, Willow Nightingale’s smiling face would be right there. Her bubbly energy and genuine positivity have made her an organic powerhouse that audiences absolutely refuse to turn against.
Even when she worked a very brief, obscure heel gimmick early in her independent career for NYWC, it didn’t stick. Willow is a rare, pure-hearted babyface whose infectious charisma shields her from ever transitioning to the dark side.
Her unique combination of unmatched powerhouse strength and a joyful disposition gives her a distinct presence in the women’s locker room. Audiences rally behind her because she brings a refreshing, real-world kindness to a cutthroat industry. A heel turn for Willow would feel entirely unnatural and break the hearts of thousands of fans.
6. Bandido
The masked sensation is the ultimate traditional técnico of All Elite Wrestling. Bandido treats the wrestling ring like a stage for superheroics, dazzling crowds with his unmatched strength and high-flying agility.
Throughout his entire career in Mexico and Ring of Honor, Bandido has rarely walked the path of a villain. His colorful presentation and honorable fighting style make him a permanent hero for younger wrestling fans.
His legendary single-hand military presses and jaw-dropping execution of the 21 Plex leave fans entirely breathless. Currently thriving in his beloved “Brodido” tag team alongside Brody King, his charm continues to captivate the AEW universe week in and week out. He remains a pure, uncorrupted superhero character who is far too valuable as a wholesome protagonist.
5. Riho
As the inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion, Riho holds a permanent place in the hearts of the fans. Her entire wrestling identity is built around being the ultimate, resilient underdog who fights from underneath against massive monsters.
Interestingly, Riho experimented with an “Evil Riho” persona during a rare Japanese independent appearance late last year. However, on national American television, her tiny stature and incredible fighting spirit make her a permanent babyface.
Whenever her signature theme music hits, the crowd instantly rallies behind her because she embodies the spirit of a true fighting survivor. Her ability to overcome overwhelming physical odds creates a special type of theatrical magic that only a pure babyface can generate. Tony Khan understands this dynamic perfectly, guaranteeing that she will always remain on the side of good.
4. Dustin Rhodes
“The Natural” has put together an unforgettable, multi-year run as the emotional backbone of the locker room. Since his bloody masterpiece against his brother Cody at the inaugural Double or Nothing, Dustin has been a flawless good guy.
This run stands in stark contrast to his pre-AEW career, where he portrayed the bizarre and deeply hated Goldust in WWE. Now operating as a legendary mentor, Dustin will undoubtedly retire without ever turning his back on the audience.
His modern television matches are fueled purely by heart, grit, and decades of crowd respect. Watching him execute flawless powerslams and flip stuns at this stage of his career earns him a standing ovation every single night. He has fully earned the right to finish his historic journey with the unwavering admiration of the fans.
3. Mark Briscoe
The current ROH World Champion brings an unmatched, frantic babyface energy to every single promo and match. Following tragic real-life adversity, the wrestling world has rallied behind Mark Briscoe as a beloved folk hero.
Wrestling historians know that Mark and his late brother Jay had legendary, ultra-violent heel runs in ROH decades ago. Today, his raw authenticity makes it morally impossible for the audience to ever boo him again.
His promos are legendary bursts of pure, unscripted passion that instantly rally the entire building behind his cause. He represents the everyday working-class family man who leaves every single drop of sweat and blood in the ring. Turning him heel would simply go against the overwhelming emotional tide of the entire wrestling community.
2. Orange Cassidy
“Freshly Squeezed” is an innovative merchandise juggernaut who rewrote the rules of wrestling psychology. His lazy, detached demeanor followed by explosive bursts of offense makes him an incredibly unique attraction.
Cassidy did work under a mask as a heel named JC Ryder in CHIKARA over a decade ago. However, his current iconic gimmick relies entirely on crowd interaction, locking him in as a permanent hero.
His signature light kicks and casual thumbs-up have evolved into some of the most anticipated moments on weekly television. Despite his seemingly nonchalant attitude, his historic International Championship reigns proved that he has the biggest heart in the company. He is a modern-day folk hero who serves as a vital cornerstone for the babyface roster.
Honorable Mentions: Sting & Eddie Kingston
We simply cannot talk about eternal heroes without mentioning Sting. “The Icon” finished his legendary, undefeated AEW career without a single heel turn, preserving his status as wrestling’s ultimate white knight.
Additionally, Eddie Kingston deserves a massive shoutout. While Kingston actually debuted in 2020 as a gritty villain leading a toxic faction, his modern bond with the audience is unbreakable. “The Mad King” is far too authentic to ever turn back now; his raw honesty means fans will ride with him forever.
He stands as an honorary mention because his raw, unfiltered connection to the audience has transcended standard wrestling logic. Fans look at Eddie Kingston and see a real human being fighting his inner demons in front of the world. Because of that profound level of empathy, he has secured a permanent place on the righteous path alongside the absolute best.
1. Darby Allin
Darby Allin is the undisputed king of resilient AEW babyfaces. His reckless, self-sacrificing style and anti-corporate attitude have turned him into the ultimate counter-culture icon for All Elite Wrestling.
Darby portrayed a cold, arrogant antagonist early in his career for EVOLVE. In AEW, however, his organic connection to the fans is completely bulletproof, making him a hero who will never, ever cross the line.
He routinely throws his body off massive ladders and down concrete stairs, proving his absolute dedication to entertaining the crowd. Fans respect him because he lives his authentic, straight-edge lifestyle without compromise or corporate filter. Darby Allin represents the very soul of All Elite Wrestling, making a heel turn completely unimaginable.
To stay completely updated on your favorite heroes, factions, and breaking locker room rumors, make sure to bookmark the official AEW TalkDown Website. For weekly episode reviews, deep-dive historical analysis, and explosive video highlights, subscribe directly to the AEW TalkDown YouTube Channel.
