Kozlov Baby-Face?

[RockNWag]

So, on a recent ECW, there was seemingly a (sad) attempt to turn Kozlov into a face. Now although I don't think this is the worst idea, how is ECW going to make this happen? Kozlov has way too many Heel attributes. For example....

He's Russian. Russians have a history of being Heels in the WWE. Why? Because they're good at it. For some reason, as American wrestling fans, we can't see any good in Russians. He's also good at being angry, and not saying much. He can yell and nobody knows what in the hell he's saying, but we still don't like it...another characteristic of a heel.

What is the best way to turn Kozlov into a baby-face? Is it possible for him to be successful as a baby face? Your ideas.

 

[Sean Valjean]

The best way to turn Koslov face is the same way to turn any monster heel; make him a comedy character.

The WWE has a history of doing that to big heels. Khali debuted as a monster who was owning Undertaker, then they turn him face by having him make out with fat chicks. Big Show started strong, then he turns face and starts doing impressions. Mark Henry was the biggest heel on ECW, goes to Raw, and he's skipping in the ring with Hornswoggle. It's happened to Heidenreich, Snitsky, Viscera, even Kane to an extent (Kanenites/Kane-a-rooni, anyone?)

Be that as it may, becoming more comedic may be the only thing to get Koslov over as a face. As you stated, he's from Russia, which is basically heel country in the WWE. He's going to have to get super goofy to get over. I'd rather him stay heel, but if he has to be face, I'd like to just seem him be a quiet, badass face a la Chris Benoit. Though knowing the WWE, he'll be teaming with Hornswoggle in a matter of months.

 

[Warrior]

Kozlov will never be a face.no offense to the russian people but his voice is naturally menacing as well as his appearance. Turning him face would be utterly pointless

 

[RockNWag]

I definitely agree, he should stay heel, but we can't control that. And the thing is, when people become comedy characters...their career becomes...well..a joke. Kozlov hasn't done anything THAT impressive, imo, but I think he has potential...it's a shame.

 

[Guilty]

Kozlov cant be a face? If a sitcom with Santino is truly in the works, then theirs the answer. Santino is considered by just about everyone to be the most hilarious character we have had in a while. I myself find him funny and entertaining. Im sure they'll be together to promote it. Should be some classic stuff

 

[rko102]

I'd rather not see Kozlov as a baby-face simply because I think it would take away from his in-ring ability, and the fact that it really reflects the anger that's in his character most of the time. I remember the days when Kozlov came out on SmackDown with that one spotlight following him the whole time; he had no entrance music, and he had no facial expression...just this hard, cold, purposeful walk to the ring. He'd look at the crowd every now and then, like they were insects he could stomp on, and then he'd look straight ahead once again...he'd dominate in the ring, then make his way to the back. Simple and straight forward. That was the Kozlov I liked the most.

Now, I don't mind seeing him cut promos and talk a little, but the fact that WWE tried getting him over alongside Santino Marella on an ECW talk show only tells me one thing; WWE has another bad idea brewing that Vince somehow thinks is gonna be great. Looking forward to this one...

 

[Mitch Henessey]

This something I just would not want to see. Kozlov is built to be a heel. It's not just the Russian thing, but it's also his overall demeanor and body language. Kozlov is doing fine as heel, and I don't think turning him face would help or or be a refreshing change for him. Also, the the Russian factor plays a big part in this. It really wouldn't matter if he were heel or face, I still think WWE fans would boo him either way or look at him as "the bad guy".

 

[Tastycles]

The monster heel trajectory is almost always dominant - beaten by main eventer - beaten by midcarder - face turn - released. I think that is probably what will happen to Kozlov unless the Santino sitcom thing gets made, in which case he will become a comedic character. I think the days of Kozlov in an upward career trajectory have been and gone, I don't imagine we'll even see him as ECW champion.

 

[Notorious718]

Once again, we have a case of WWE taking a monster heel and turning him into a comedy character. The crowd doesn't really care for him anyway so I don't understand how turning him face will help him. Everything about him, from his demeanor to his body language, screams heel. Then again, it's working for Kahli and (to an extent) Mark Henry so it can work for Kozlov if booked correctly. I personally don't really care how this turns out but hey, at least I now know that Kozlov is a Hannah Monatana fan.

 

[Dagger Dias]

The best way to turn Kozlov face would be to make him a comedy character, but I don't want to see that happen. Kozlov just has the look of a heel, and being a face in a comedic role would somewhat ruin his credibility. Just look at what it did to Khali, does ANYONE see him as a threat to any title ever again? I'd hate to see Kozlov suffer a similar fate. He's not that bad and they should give him another shot. The main problem with his run on Smackdown was that they pushed him too fast. He could have been doing all his ECW storylines in the midcard of Smackdown, and possibly won a title by now. I don't think he would be successful as a face because he doesn't have the look of one and is much better off being a heel.

 

[Klown_Karnage]

The real trouble is, Koslov as a face could have worked and wouldn't have to be a comedy character...but there's one problem: we'd have to have the same mindset as he does in order to buy it. The WWE is an American company watched primarily by Americans. Koslov is not only Russian, but military-style Russian. He's patriotic for his own country. If we were Russian, he'd be considered the hero. But we're not, and therefore he will always be classified as a heel unless he turns his back on his motherland. It would be like taking a Russian-based professional wrestling promotion and putting John Cena as he is now into it. He'd be automatically seen as a heel no matter what he did unless he were to turn his back on America and embrace Russia. Like it or not, where you're from will nearly always influence greatly the way the crowd sees you.

 

[The Deadly Viper]

Kozlov is just simply put made to be a heel, why would they want to change it? His voice is menacing and just looks the heel type, I don't think you could make him into a comedy character, he just looks too much like a heel.

 

[GenMe]

kozlov as a baby face hmmmmmm.i dont know....anyways were is he i havent seen him like in about one month.Hopefully he goes back to smackdown and turns heel again maybe get in the high midcard level but yet again we have alot of them right now.Well kozlov as a face it doesnt go good with him i mean just look at his actual face that dude looks evil and scary..

 

[LSN80]

I agree with the masses, the best way to turn Kozlov face is to turn him into a comedic character, ala the Great Khali. Problem is, Kozlovs ship has sailed, as he was seen as the "weak link" in the ruthless rountable, and uncerimoniously booted out, followed by a blow off match w Big Zeke. Jackson won fairly handily, and Kozlov did the Abe Washington show with Santino, and hasnt been seen since. With several wrestlers expected to be released shortly, I imagine we'll see 'future endeavored' and "Vladimir Kozlov" together very soon.

 

[legendkiller420]

i dont know why they would turn him heel. he can bareley speak english correctly. he is gonna be one stale face in the end. he is meant to be heel which either way he is gonna be stale.