Some folks like to cheer for the villains these days, and sometimes we can’t blame ‘em.
Most fans watch wrestling in hopes that the deserving party will eventually get their asses whupped.
Whether its the arrogance of Mr. Nikita Koloff
A 62, 285 pound man can be quite intimidating.
Now imagine he doesnt like you.
But he loved playing the character so much that he legally changed his name to Nikita Koloff.
He became a multiple-time tag champ and NWA National Heavyweight & United States Heavyweight Champion.
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24.
Edge
To a generation, Edge (with Christian) represented the pinnacle of Tag Team wrestling.
To the next generation, he was something else entirely.
A Rated R Superstar who once promised (and kind of delivered) a live sex celebration.
Neither have had such an opponent since.
For that reason amongst others, WWE Hall of Famer Edge makes the list.
The constant turning up of his nose was a heat magnet, let alone his accent.
Dont ever besmirch his name around me.
The Ace, Cowboy Bob Orton
Sometimes a broken arm just never heals.
Second generation superstar Bob Orton Jr. was already a big name before 1984.
Son of former US Heavyweight Champion Bob Orton, Cowboy had no trouble filling his fathers boots.
Who would have known that his greatest work would come as a bodyguard?
In 1984, Orton found himself aligned with none other than Rowdy Roddy Piper.
It was Piper who would popularize the nickname of The Ace.
Even when Orton isnt in the ring, do-gooders like Hulk Hogan better watch their backs.
Tully Blanchard
Tully Blanchard is perhaps the most underappreciated heel of his time.
Though he is most often remembered for his run with The Four Horsemen (Woooooooooo!
), his career is far more expansive.
Blanchard was portrayed as a true threat to any face the National Wrestling Alliance put in front of him.
The Horsemen seemed an almost untouchable force with such power on their side.
Regardless of his quiet retirement, he takes his rightful place on this list.
Vader (Big Van Vader)
Vader was a monster.
He was big, strong, and forceful, but could move well.
In Japan, Vader became a star because of those traits.
At 64 and 450lbs, he was like Godzilla overseas.
After feuds with Undertaker and Goldust, Vader left WWF.
Hes been semi-retired since, but occasionally has matches in Japan.
Raven
It isnt what Raven did, its what he didnt do.
The point is, when Raven actuallydidanything, it was a big deal.
Win or lose, seeing Raven compete was something special in itself.
Triple H
Triple H was a heel for years before really making his name in the early 2000s.
Thus the fantastic McMahon-Helmsley Era was born.
He really found his character during this time when he became intense with a smart and brutal mean streak.
He was even the one behind Rikishi hitting Austin with a car to take him out of action.
If you were in his way, he did his damnedest to get rid of you.
Jake The Snake Roberts
Spin the wheel, make a deal.
The reason: WWF officials were afraid that Roberts popularity would overwhelm his dastardly deeds.
Perhaps the superstars of today are about to feel the bite.
Perfect Curt Hennig
When your moniker is Mr.
Perfect, youre just asking for heat.
Add Bobby The Brain Heenan as your manager, and youredefinitelya heel.
Hes widely recognized as one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions ever.
Curt passed away in 2003.
Current WWE Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel is Curts son.
In ROH, CM Punk was the most effective heel the independents had seen in years.
In short, CM Punk believes hes better than you.
Then, he cut THE promo.
Though hes played face since then, CM Punk is the greatest heel of the modern era.
CM Punk is the best in the world.
Not only is that a heel move, thats also a great angle!
It culminated in a brutal cage match at the inaugural Starcade event in 1983.
Harley Race is often mentioned by peers as the toughest and most bad-ass worker in the history of wrestling.
The Iron Sheik
The anti-American is always a heat magnet, but can be tricky to get over.
The Iron Sheik was the right guy in the right place at the right time for his character.
Plus, he could work good matches.
The fans immediately hated Sheik for taking the title from Backlund.
Sheik drew huge heat by pretending to spit at the fans and berating our country.
After that, Sheik had another great run against Sgt.
Slaughter, another hero in the company who became even more of one after battling Sheik.
Sheik continued to despise the US and made it work until he retired.
Die, Rocky, Die was a great chant.
He dubbed himself The Rock and became even more hated, but a better character.
What really helped put him over as a great bad guy were his promos.
A good heel gets the fans to dislike, but nothate, him.
And thats exactly what The Rock did, to the point where they actually started tolikehim as a heel.
Eventually, like all liked heels, he turned face.
[related article: Wrestlings Greatest Faces 25 Good Guys Who Changed Pro Wrestling]
11.
Nick Bockwinkel
The AWA was sort of a mess.
Verne Gagnes apparent unwillingness to promote new talent at a top level hurt the otherwise fantastic rosters potential.
Even Hulk Hogan was screwed out of the title by Gagnes trusted top heel.
That man was Nick Bockwinkel.
One of the most technically sound wrestlers to ever compete, Bockwinkel was also a masterful speaker.
At age 52, he would end his final run as AWA champion losing to Curt Hennig.
In typical AWA fashion, Hennig cheated.
Its been done before, but Vince perfected it.
Dont Cross The Boss.
Gorgeous George
The Human Orchid.
The Toast of the Coast.
The Sensation of the Nation.
George Wagner did not start as any of these things.
In the early 40s, George put his gimmick into action and the timing could not have been better.
Even Muhammad Ali cited Georges persona as an influence on his own.
The pair even got to meet!
His little cheats when the ref wasnt looking would get incredible heat.
In fact, Blassie was a heat magnet.
This was an era where fans took it all seriously and werent above stabbing a heel.
But Blassie loved it because he knew he was an effective bad guy.
The man used to file his teeth into sharp points to scare the hell out of Japanese fans.
Not only is that dedication to your craft and your character, but youre messing with your teeth!
The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels
He thinks hes cute, heknowshes sexy.
After super-kicking his best friend through a barber shop window, things really changed for Shawn Michaels.
Once in singles competition, Michaels took on the persona of the smug blue chipper.
A talent too big to be fired, but an ego willing to exploit that all the way.
Perhaps the pinnacle of HBKs heel potential manifested in D-Generation X. Graham wasnt the greatest technical worker, but could hold his own with anyone in any match.
And theres no way we can forget the mans promos.
Hollywood Hogan
Let me tell you something, brother.
Hulk Hogan was the biggest hero in the history of professional wrestling.
As his star waned, some fans called for his retirement.
Boy, did he get em.
It was Hogan who would typically provide the big promo, reminding the crowd how dastardly the organization was.
Hogan would in turn respond with some cowardice, affirming his position as heel.
Hogan became the rat that Bobby Heenan always claimed he was.
In doing so, he also proved that anything can happen in Professional Wrestling.
Almost makes you forget how much of a jerk he could be.
An abusive boyfriend and egotistical weirdo, the Macho Man persona could have been a complete disaster.
Machos unique speech patterns and off-the-wall promos were the perfect combination with his masterful ringwork.
After his performance atWrestlemania III, he affirmed his position as a true legend.
Hopefully hell get his deserved spot in the Hall of Fame soon.
Savage was the total package, and any superstar of any era would be hard pressed to match him.
Piper was a good wrestler with good in-ring psychology, but was an eccentric interview.
He eventually started the legendary feud with Hulk Hogan, and the Rock N Wrestling era began.
Oh, and he hit broke a coconut over Jimmy Superfly Snukas head.
Andre The Giant
Andre was one of the most beloved attractions in wrestling history.
Near undefeated, Andre was portrayed as a lovable warrior, a man of the people.
He was probably the most popular hero in wrestling history, until Hulk Hogan showed up.
Andre, still wildly popular, needed a role.
That role was heel.
Playing off the storyline undefeated streak, Andre claimed that he should have been champion all along.
Though not the technical masterpiece of Savage/Steamboat, Hogan/Andre is the undying image ofWrestlemania III.
Andre slowed afterWrestlemania III, but his presence continued to loom large.
The Nature Boy Ric Flair
To be the man, youve got to beat the man.
However, it was his runs as NWA champion that truly fortify his position on this list.
All while cutting some of the greatest promos in the history of Professional Wrestling.
By most accounts, a good portion of this was well deserved.
Jet Flyin and Limousine Ridin were not just a gimmick.
Current superstars should still watch out for the dirtiest player in the game.
Hes thought of as the guy who could wrestle a proverbial broomstick and have a good match.
Not only an incredible wrestler, hes probably the greatest talker in the business.
His cockiness in his promos is unmatched.
But he could back up everything he said whether he had help from The Four Horsemen or not.
He and The Horsemen were the first heel group that were cool to like.
He was one of the best at taking advantage of cheating to win.
He wasnt dubbed The Dirtiest Player In The Game for nothing.
Flair could draw heat even if you liked him.
Diamonds are forever, and so is Ric Flair.
(Jesse)
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