Blake Monroe, the former Mariah May in AEW, has been introduced to the NXT audience with significant fanfare, but a character change could already be in her near future. The popular newcomer debuted on the brand last month, but a heel run has reportedly been discussed.
A Turn To The Dark Side?
According to a report from Fightful Select, a heel run for Blake Monroe has been brought up as a possibility for the near future. While there is no specific timeline for when this might happen, the report notes that there are long-term plans in place for Monroe on NXT television.
The former AEW Women’s World Champion made her in-ring debut for NXT at a live event on June 27, defeating Laney Reid. She has since become embroiled in a feud with the Fatal Influence faction, teaming with TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace to take on NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley at The Great American Bash on July 12. A heel turn would be a significant shift for her character, which has so far been presented as a babyface.
When Mariah May debuted in AEW in November 2023, she was immediately established as a heel. She was introduced as an obsessed superfan and “understudy” to the AEW Women’s World Champion, “Timeless” Toni Storm, who was also a heel at the time. May’s character was portrayed as sycophantic and completely devoted to Storm, often interfering in her matches and mimicking her mannerisms.
As their on-screen partnership developed, the act became so popular with fans that both May and Storm began to receive cheers, transitioning them into more of a “tweener” role (a mix of heel and babyface).
The definitive heel turn for May occurred after she won the 2024 Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament. The victory earned her a championship match against her mentor, Toni Storm, at the All In pay-per-view. Immediately after her tournament final win, May viciously attacked Storm, cementing her turn and establishing herself as a top heel in the division. She dubbed herself “The Glamour” and went on to defeat Storm for the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In in her home country of England. Storm won it back later this year before May departed from AEW.
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