Heel turn and face turn have been a recurring phenomenon in WWE under Triple H’s creative leadership. Time and time again, fans witnessed several such character changes on the main roster. Recent events at the 2026 Royal Rumble indicate that The Game may have subtly signaled Damian Priest’s return to the dark side after a long stint as a fan-favorite babyface.
WWE recently released unfiltered cam footage of superstars expressing their raw thoughts after their Royal Rumble matches as they were escorted backstage through the golf cart. In that clip, Damian Priest was seen venting his frustrations at losing the Men’s Royal Rumble Match and the Fatal Four-Way Match that was held previously at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
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The former World Heavyweight Champion used an NSFW word out of frustration and also ranted about the arrival of newcomers in WWE. This raw and unfiltered moment pretty much deviates from his typical babyface character. The behavior and demeanor seen on the backstage clip evokes the bitterness and entitlement often associated with heels.
Such vignettes are rarely accidental under Triple H’s creative regime, which emphasizes long-term storytelling and character depth. They serve as breadcrumbs for storylines, building tension and foreshadowing shifts. Hunter has a history of using backstage segments to intensify feuds and signal turns and this could be a potential indication of another such turn.
Damian Priest’s last heel run spanned from February 28, 2022 to May 3, 2024. With the recent backstage clip, Triple H may have subtly confirmed that Priest will turn heel after 18 months. His outburst after the Royal Rumble could be a deliberate tease for a character change. Priest facing setback after setback in big stages could be WWE’s way of piling layers of frustrations to trigger his dark side.
Triple H may have teased Damian Priest’s next big feud
The Royal Rumble 2026 served as a major stop for WWE on the Road to WrestleMania. Every year, the annual event plays a key role in setting up several matches. It looks like Triple H did the same thing this year, as Hunter may have subtly revealed Damian Priest’s next big feud in WWE.
The Archer of Infamy is likely to feud with the company’s newest signing, Royce Keys, going ahead. Formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs, the latter made his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. Surprisingly, he eliminated Damian Priest from the Rumble match, making a thunderous statement.
Well, this might not be just a random move. WWE’s creative head Triple H may have showcased that elimination to sow the seeds of a blockbuster feud between the two superstars. Besides, Priest ranting about the arrival of newcomers in the backstage clip from the golf cart only hints at this direction.
Hence, there is a good possibility that The Punisher could start a great storyline with Royce Keys on SmackDown. A feud like that has the potential to do wonders for both superstars. While this will keep Damian Priest in the spotlight, it will help the newcomer share the stage with a former World Heavyweight Champion.
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Edited by Subhasish Deb
