Rarely-Seen WWE Wrestler Turns Heel On SmackDown?

WWE might've just kickstarted a SmackDown heel turn for this former NXT star.

by Jamie Kennedy
Xia Li WWE SmackDown Heel
WWE

Xia Li appeared to turn heel on last night's episode of SmackDown.

WWE has only used Li sporadically since calling her up from NXT during last year's Draft. She debuted on 10 December 2021 and was cast under a new 'Protector' gimmick, but has barely wrestled on the brand since. Now, it seems creative has changed their minds on her looking out for fellow babyfaces.

On SmackDown, Xia said that she'd only be looking out for herself from now on - when explaining why, Li folded her arms and arrogantly said that there's nobody worth protecting on Friday nights. That came across as rather heelish, and it should be the start of a proper turn.

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One suggestion: WWE shouldn't weaponise Li as Sonya Deville's next bodyguard. They've tried that with everyone from Natalya to Shayna Baszler, and it didn't work. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and all that!

WWE taped next week's edition of SmackDown on Friday, but Li didn't wrestle a match on that show either. It's possible that they'll insert another one of these promo skits instead.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.