Most of you won't remember this, but in the mid 1970's, before Larry Zbyzsko turned, there was a hugely popular guy named Spiros Arion who joined Fred Blassie and turned on Bruno, Larry, and Chief Jay Strongbow. This set the course for main events for the next year. This was during a time when guys almost never turned until they moved to another region/territory so it was a huge surprise.
Greatest Heel Turn of all time and WHY?
- Thread starter Doomsday Device
- Start date
matman8540
Ha! I kill me!
Back then, Freddie Blassie had several people turn while they were popular in the WWWF. Two of them that I remember were Victor Rivera, and High Chief Peter Maivia. As was previously stated, back then it was very rare for someone to turn bad. I don't remember the particulars of the Rivera turn, but the Maivia turn was during a tag match with Bob Backlund. The other turn that sticks in my mind from back then that brought a massive beating to a face was during a tag team match in a steel cage in Georgia. The Assassins with Ivan Koloff as their manager vs Ole Anderson & Dusty Rhodes with Gene Anderson as their manager. After both Andersons turned on Dusty, you had a 5 on 1 beatdown on Dusty. The amazing part of that turn was having their "brother" Lars Anderson support Dusty.
Cool thread. 
I think I am going to do the top three. These heel turns are based on 1) level of unexpectedness, 2) level of impact caused from the turn, 3) level of fan reaction.
These three things, to me, is what makes a heel turn the most memorable and potent.
So here we go...
1) Hogan joins the nWo. Hands down, the most memorable and course-changing heel turn of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwr1dTrLbY0
2) Shawn Michaels turns heel on Hogan. This was also VERY unexpected. Michaels chooses Hogan to fight against the attacks of Muhammad Hassan, Hogan accepts, they defeat him and Daivari in a tag match on Raw... then WHAM!... Sweet Chin Music out of NOWHERE. CLASSIC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdv4iYuFeTo
3) Two-way tie: One is the Arn Anderson heel turn against Dustin Rhodes. For weeks, WCW built an angle around Arn Anderson mentoring Dustin to enhance his ability in the ring. Then at one of the Clash of the Champions shows, Arn/Dustin were competing in a tag match, and Arn was out for the whole time... as soon as Arn gets in for the hot tag, Arn "helps" up Dustin... then WHAM! DDT on Dustin, and Arn is once again a heel.
(No video for this one unfortunately)
The second one would definitely have to go to Jake Roberts taking the Ultimate Warrior through weeks of graveyard training to get Warrior exposed to the darkside, only to lock him in a room full of venomous snakes. As a kid, I was extremely irate that Jake turned heel, b/c he was one of the best faces in the WWE(F). In retrospect, it was a good move, because it did revive his character.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRDx5ntSbM
I think I am going to do the top three. These heel turns are based on 1) level of unexpectedness, 2) level of impact caused from the turn, 3) level of fan reaction.
These three things, to me, is what makes a heel turn the most memorable and potent.
So here we go...
1) Hogan joins the nWo. Hands down, the most memorable and course-changing heel turn of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwr1dTrLbY0
2) Shawn Michaels turns heel on Hogan. This was also VERY unexpected. Michaels chooses Hogan to fight against the attacks of Muhammad Hassan, Hogan accepts, they defeat him and Daivari in a tag match on Raw... then WHAM!... Sweet Chin Music out of NOWHERE. CLASSIC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gdv4iYuFeTo
3) Two-way tie: One is the Arn Anderson heel turn against Dustin Rhodes. For weeks, WCW built an angle around Arn Anderson mentoring Dustin to enhance his ability in the ring. Then at one of the Clash of the Champions shows, Arn/Dustin were competing in a tag match, and Arn was out for the whole time... as soon as Arn gets in for the hot tag, Arn "helps" up Dustin... then WHAM! DDT on Dustin, and Arn is once again a heel.
(No video for this one unfortunately)
The second one would definitely have to go to Jake Roberts taking the Ultimate Warrior through weeks of graveyard training to get Warrior exposed to the darkside, only to lock him in a room full of venomous snakes. As a kid, I was extremely irate that Jake turned heel, b/c he was one of the best faces in the WWE(F). In retrospect, it was a good move, because it did revive his character.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oRDx5ntSbM
For me it has to be when the Rock turned heal and joined the Corporation at Survivor Series had a tournament for the vacant championship and Rock was becoming way over with the fans and This came as huge surprise because they were teasing this huge Rock face turn, but they still kept him heal and aligned him with the corporation by going over Mankind in typical heal fashion. I can remember watching that PPV and screaming that I wanted my money back.Haha
I am gonna have to go with Shane McMahon turning on VInce and buying WCW. Hear me out!!!!
I was a big WWF fan at the time and when Vince bought WCW i was super excited that Vince had beat WCW finally. Then Shane comes along and buys his dad's competition and all hell breaks loose.
As a huge WWF fan at the time Shane was a big heal for me.
I was a big WWF fan at the time and when Vince bought WCW i was super excited that Vince had beat WCW finally. Then Shane comes along and buys his dad's competition and all hell breaks loose.
As a huge WWF fan at the time Shane was a big heal for me.
PerfectStorm
New Member
The biggest heel turn I think has to go to the creation of the Mr. McMahon character. Vince acknowledges his ownership of the WWF and goes from "face" broadcast partner to the most evil and ruthless villain in pro wrestling.
It may not have been that classic heel turn, but I think it defined everything that has happened up to this point with so many stars in the E.
It may not have been that classic heel turn, but I think it defined everything that has happened up to this point with so many stars in the E.
Hogan's heel turn is, in my opinion, the greatest heel turn as well as the most important in wrestling history. Hogan was the poster boy for professional wrestling and he literally changed that wrestling era with a single leg drop.
The Rock turning on the fans a-la Montreal Screwjob was good in a sense as it created The Corporation, which had a big impact during the Monday Night Wars in terms of the shock value WWE was starting to offer over WCW.
But one heel turn no one is talking about which, to me, is as important to remember as Hogan's heel turn was Sgt. Slaughter turning on the USA during the very real Cold War. That was huge, and might even be more iimportant than Hogan's if it wasn't for the popularity Hogan's turn received.
Shawn Michaels' heel turn was very shocking as well (during that time), but while it cemented Michaels as the Superstar he is today, it didn't do a whole lot for the wrestling business as a whole as much as Hogan's and Slaughter's turns.
The Rock turning on the fans a-la Montreal Screwjob was good in a sense as it created The Corporation, which had a big impact during the Monday Night Wars in terms of the shock value WWE was starting to offer over WCW.
But one heel turn no one is talking about which, to me, is as important to remember as Hogan's heel turn was Sgt. Slaughter turning on the USA during the very real Cold War. That was huge, and might even be more iimportant than Hogan's if it wasn't for the popularity Hogan's turn received.
Shawn Michaels' heel turn was very shocking as well (during that time), but while it cemented Michaels as the Superstar he is today, it didn't do a whole lot for the wrestling business as a whole as much as Hogan's and Slaughter's turns.
one of the best ones created one of the best characters which was flyin brian, to the loose cannon, that was an awesome heel turn, it really solidified him as a top heel too bad his life ended to soon.
one of the other ones has to be hogan, just when everyone thought he was going to save the day, SWERVE
one of the other ones has to be hogan, just when everyone thought he was going to save the day, SWERVE
Dragonslayer
Getting Noticed By Management
For me, it's really a no-brainer - without a shadow of a doubt, this one HAS to go to Hulk Hogan's turn at Bash At The Beach.
No other wrestler had been such a HUGE face and had had such a tremendous impact as a face on the wrestling world for such a long time as the Hulkster. He'd effectively been a face for 10, almost 15 years straight, had been the face of professional wrestling itself, and gained maintream exposure as that face like no other before or after... and when he turned heel, it really shook the ground of the wrestling world - no one ever thought it possible.
With every other wrestler before or since then, a heel turn was more or less just "another phase" of their career; nowadays, heel/face turns occur more or less on a two-year-basis for pretty much everyone, save for a few exceptions (Cena, Orton) - but no one ever expected "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan to turn. And when he did, it sparked one of the greatest pro wrestling angles of all time, and led to the Monday Night Wars era. How could any other heelturn in history be considered a greater turn than this one?!
There of course are a few notable turns that deserve to be mentioned - such as the noted creation of "Mr. McMahon" for example - but still, none that comes even close to the magnitude and meaningfulness of the creatio of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan.
No other wrestler had been such a HUGE face and had had such a tremendous impact as a face on the wrestling world for such a long time as the Hulkster. He'd effectively been a face for 10, almost 15 years straight, had been the face of professional wrestling itself, and gained maintream exposure as that face like no other before or after... and when he turned heel, it really shook the ground of the wrestling world - no one ever thought it possible.
With every other wrestler before or since then, a heel turn was more or less just "another phase" of their career; nowadays, heel/face turns occur more or less on a two-year-basis for pretty much everyone, save for a few exceptions (Cena, Orton) - but no one ever expected "The Immortal" Hulk Hogan to turn. And when he did, it sparked one of the greatest pro wrestling angles of all time, and led to the Monday Night Wars era. How could any other heelturn in history be considered a greater turn than this one?!
There of course are a few notable turns that deserve to be mentioned - such as the noted creation of "Mr. McMahon" for example - but still, none that comes even close to the magnitude and meaningfulness of the creatio of "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan.
MEGAFAN420
Dark Match Winner
Before Hogan came back to the WCW and joined the NWO at the Bash At The Beach 1996, he was gone from action for months on end and no-one seemed to know why he was not there defending WCW against Hall and Nash, the infamous Outsiders. It was the perfect build up to him arriving at the PPV. Who was the 3rd man that was going to defend WCW in the main event tag-team match? They showed TV vigils and promos on Nitro showing Hogan tearing off his shirt and his "American Made" theme music. As long as I have watched wrestling, Hogan was ALWAYS a face! I was completely fooled! The internet was not like it is now as far as "spoilers" go, so it would not have worked in 2010. I didn't own a computer at the time either. All I could do was call the lame WCW phone line for $1.99 a minute!
hogan by miles no one saw that coming not by hulk he was the biggest thing in wrestling the poser boy the good guy and coming down at the bash and turning his back on the fans and all the hulkamanics that was a slap in the face to us all everyone believed in what hogan said we never thought he could do that and do it so well i have never saw the fans turn on someone so fast they cheered him when he came to the ring and by end they were chucking things at him and nash and hall perfect heel turn and the best thing wcw ever did
are you guys fuckin nuts or jus too young to remember? picture this wrestling fans. pipers pit, guests were wwf champion hulk hogan and andre the giant(get the picture). andre with his new manager bobby heenan tearing hogans shirt and cross off of him and challenging him for the title. if it wasnt for that heel turn, wrestlemania history would never have happened and therefore that match never would have inspired most of todays superstars. now without this heel turn, wrestling today never would be the same. no edge, no attitude era, no monday night wars, anything.
Pretty sure most of you will have similar answers, but these are what I think the best heel turns were, in terms of what impact they made. The greatest heel turn of all time was Hogan at Bash at the Beach 96 because him turning heel was unthinkable at the time, he had been a face for YEARS. The ultimate face made the ultimate heel turn. Another good one is Stone Cold at Wrestlemania 17.... and I also liked Shawn turning on Marty at the Barbershop, it was a great one because it set the standard for tag teams splitting up.
ice4life31
Dark Match Jobber
1.Hogan turning on wcw joining the nwo noone thought that would of been possible trading the yellow to black.
2.HHH and Dx turning on Shawn hitting him in the back with the sledge hammer shawn was gone for awhile after that.
2.HHH and Dx turning on Shawn hitting him in the back with the sledge hammer shawn was gone for awhile after that.
brochester8
Getting Noticed By Management
I have to jump onboard the Jericho wagon because I felt is heel turn against HBK was awesome and he makes a great heel. There feud was classic.
I also have to mention Hogan joining NWO that was classic as noone knew what was happening. I remember watching it with my grandpa on PPV and my jaw dropped. I was never a Hogan fan but I really didn't expect him to turn on all his Hulkamaniacs.
I also have to mention Hogan joining NWO that was classic as noone knew what was happening. I remember watching it with my grandpa on PPV and my jaw dropped. I was never a Hogan fan but I really didn't expect him to turn on all his Hulkamaniacs.
[email protected]
New Member
For me it's one that nobody's mentioned at all. Tatanka and Lex Luger had been a tag team for a while when the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase intervened and attempted to "buy" Luger. Tatanka fought Luger tooth and nail on this pleading with Luger not to sell out, he has fans, etc... all the while "hints" kept getting dropped that Luger had indeed sold out. Finally it was revealed that Luger had never sold out, but it was in fact Tatanka that had! And a feud between them ensued.
I remember being completely and totally shocked when that happened. That's what stands out most to me.
(I don't say Hogan because I didn't really start watching WCW until after Hogan turned.)
I remember being completely and totally shocked when that happened. That's what stands out most to me.
(I don't say Hogan because I didn't really start watching WCW until after Hogan turned.)
I think we've all succesfully managed to confuse shocking with best. Sure, Hogan's turn was great, but it was really made by his explanation and promo after the actual turn. It was a great turn, but I still think there were better ones:
Macho Man Randy Savage's turn leading up to Wrestlemania V:
Because it was everything that Hogan's wasn't. At some point, we were aware that there was tension between Savage and Hogan. The two had issues dating as far back as that years Survivor Series, but they pretended that nothing was wrong up until that fateful Saturday Night Main Event. When Savage went beserk on Hogan, everyone and their mother's despised Hulk, who only looked like he was trying to be the good guy. Savage played the perfect jealous heel to Hogan's All American babyface, because that really was what Savage seemed like backstage. He was so protective of Liz, that anyone who has worked with Savage has always said how he caused Elizabeth so much personal Hell backstage. Vince took what he saw backstage, and made a feud the likes of which was potentially the greatest Wrestlemania feud in history. Hogan and Savage have always worked together well, and long before Hogan turned heel on Savage, this heel turn was more well executed. And the strange thing was, to some extent, you could understand where Savage was actually coming from.
Bret Hart's heel turn at Wrestlemania 13:
I'm shocked no one has said anything about this one. Again, the build to it was perfect. Bret had been on television for weeks, whining about how the WWE had screwed him. The seeds were already planted, long before anyone could have noticed. Steve was starting to get over, so much so that Vince had no choice but to turn him face. Actually, in something that's a tad ironic, Steve never actually wanted to turn face. Rather, he wanted to stay heel, as he felt that once he turned face, he would lose all of his momentum. He had been building up so much to be the top heel in the company, and now that the fans loved him, Vince needed a man that could put Steve over, even while winning. Bret was absolutely perfect for it. He wasn't really doing anything, either than complain about Shawn Michaels. It didn't make sense to keep both Shawn and Bret face, and with Shawn out, Bret became the only reliable person that could have gotten Steve over. From there, was one of the most underrated heel runs of all time. The Hart Foundation, in my eyes, were actually a better stable than the nWo, as their stars could talk, as well as put on great matches. Now, admittedly, what got bret over as a heel was just how courageous Steve was as a face. However, this is really a case of one needing the other. Bret was so damn brutal in that "I Quit" match, you just couldn't help but cheer for Steve, and also feel repulsed by Bret's actions. This one may have actually been a better turn than Savage's, but I'm going to take off a couple points because Hart was only truly a heel in America.
Andre the Giant's heel turn at Wrestlemania III:
Picture this; you have always been the greatest attraction in professional wrestling. You've been undefeated for fifteen years (Though Antonio Inoki and El Canek would say otherwise...). And you're about to receive a trophy for all of your achievements. Some loudmouth, who's supposed to be your friend, takes your spotlight, and receives a trophy for being champion for three years that's actually bigger than yours. Naturally, you're pissed, so what do you do?
That's right, you pick the most heel manager possible, who talks you up like a God, (not that doing that is so difficult) and you challenge that loudmouth, scaring the fear of Jesus out of him. Or was it in him? Actually, that was Earthquake that did that. Nevertheless, Andre's turn was so damn well done. From changing his wardrobe to the now famous black one strap singlet, instead of the colorful yellow and blue trunks, to tearing the cross right off Hulk's chest, this was beautifully done. It set up the biggest match in the history of the WWE, and was perhaps the defining moment in Hulk Hogan's career. You may laugh, but Andre putting Hogan over made Hogan the legend he os today. Without Andre's push, Hogan would probably be on the same level as most other hall of famers; he would by no means be the greatest wrestler of all time. Andre was great as a heel, if not simply for Wrestlemania III, but for making Hulk Hogan the icon we know him as today.
Macho Man Randy Savage's turn leading up to Wrestlemania V:
Because it was everything that Hogan's wasn't. At some point, we were aware that there was tension between Savage and Hogan. The two had issues dating as far back as that years Survivor Series, but they pretended that nothing was wrong up until that fateful Saturday Night Main Event. When Savage went beserk on Hogan, everyone and their mother's despised Hulk, who only looked like he was trying to be the good guy. Savage played the perfect jealous heel to Hogan's All American babyface, because that really was what Savage seemed like backstage. He was so protective of Liz, that anyone who has worked with Savage has always said how he caused Elizabeth so much personal Hell backstage. Vince took what he saw backstage, and made a feud the likes of which was potentially the greatest Wrestlemania feud in history. Hogan and Savage have always worked together well, and long before Hogan turned heel on Savage, this heel turn was more well executed. And the strange thing was, to some extent, you could understand where Savage was actually coming from.
Bret Hart's heel turn at Wrestlemania 13:
I'm shocked no one has said anything about this one. Again, the build to it was perfect. Bret had been on television for weeks, whining about how the WWE had screwed him. The seeds were already planted, long before anyone could have noticed. Steve was starting to get over, so much so that Vince had no choice but to turn him face. Actually, in something that's a tad ironic, Steve never actually wanted to turn face. Rather, he wanted to stay heel, as he felt that once he turned face, he would lose all of his momentum. He had been building up so much to be the top heel in the company, and now that the fans loved him, Vince needed a man that could put Steve over, even while winning. Bret was absolutely perfect for it. He wasn't really doing anything, either than complain about Shawn Michaels. It didn't make sense to keep both Shawn and Bret face, and with Shawn out, Bret became the only reliable person that could have gotten Steve over. From there, was one of the most underrated heel runs of all time. The Hart Foundation, in my eyes, were actually a better stable than the nWo, as their stars could talk, as well as put on great matches. Now, admittedly, what got bret over as a heel was just how courageous Steve was as a face. However, this is really a case of one needing the other. Bret was so damn brutal in that "I Quit" match, you just couldn't help but cheer for Steve, and also feel repulsed by Bret's actions. This one may have actually been a better turn than Savage's, but I'm going to take off a couple points because Hart was only truly a heel in America.
Andre the Giant's heel turn at Wrestlemania III:
Picture this; you have always been the greatest attraction in professional wrestling. You've been undefeated for fifteen years (Though Antonio Inoki and El Canek would say otherwise...). And you're about to receive a trophy for all of your achievements. Some loudmouth, who's supposed to be your friend, takes your spotlight, and receives a trophy for being champion for three years that's actually bigger than yours. Naturally, you're pissed, so what do you do?
That's right, you pick the most heel manager possible, who talks you up like a God, (not that doing that is so difficult) and you challenge that loudmouth, scaring the fear of Jesus out of him. Or was it in him? Actually, that was Earthquake that did that. Nevertheless, Andre's turn was so damn well done. From changing his wardrobe to the now famous black one strap singlet, instead of the colorful yellow and blue trunks, to tearing the cross right off Hulk's chest, this was beautifully done. It set up the biggest match in the history of the WWE, and was perhaps the defining moment in Hulk Hogan's career. You may laugh, but Andre putting Hogan over made Hogan the legend he os today. Without Andre's push, Hogan would probably be on the same level as most other hall of famers; he would by no means be the greatest wrestler of all time. Andre was great as a heel, if not simply for Wrestlemania III, but for making Hulk Hogan the icon we know him as today.
I have two swirling in my head and we wouldnt have one without the other.
1. Andre the Giant turning on Hulk Hogan starting a great fued and a Wrestlemania classic moment.
2. Hulk Hogan to the NwO for obvious reasons.
Like i said earlier we would not have the one without the other.
1. Andre the Giant turning on Hulk Hogan starting a great fued and a Wrestlemania classic moment.
2. Hulk Hogan to the NwO for obvious reasons.
Like i said earlier we would not have the one without the other.
Jurgen112112
Dark Match Jobber
I really liked the heel turn of Stone Cold WM 17. First of all at that time The Rock and Stone Cold where the most popular wrestlers of that time, both face, in the weeks leading up to mania those 2 where not even really fueding it was just a test of who was the best. And just bussines both really wanted the title. Stone Cold 2 most hated rivals were Vince and HHH. First at WM 17 Stone Cold does the 1 thing nobody would expect. Him getting the help of Vince. And then the night after he even works together with HHH.
Not only u had the factor of suprise. Stone Cold was also good in displaying his character, doing everything for the title showing that the WWF title is his life. Wich also adds some extra credibility to that title if someone wants it that bad.
Only negative point to that was it also let The Rock go away for a few months
Not only u had the factor of suprise. Stone Cold was also good in displaying his character, doing everything for the title showing that the WWF title is his life. Wich also adds some extra credibility to that title if someone wants it that bad.
Only negative point to that was it also let The Rock go away for a few months
THE_UNCARING1
Dark Match Winner
I liked all the answers above. There were even a few I forgot about. However one that was especially shocking and upsetting at the time no one has said. That would be Triple H joining The Corporation at WM15. I was a huge mark for DX and Triple H especially at the time and for me it was very devastating. Course he did far worse things after that and won me back by being more vile than anyone I'd ever seen. Still....
Rhonda Rousey's Sports Bra
Kinda Sorta Old School
Austin turning heel at Wrestlemania 17 was the biggest for me. Austin was and is by far my favorite wrestler and when I saw him the next night on Raw I was so pissed that I almost stopped watching wrestling completly. Infact it was thet biggest reason I stopped when I did, granted I was a kid then so I didn't appreciate wrestling the way I do now.
No offense to Hogan but for me I didn't really care about WCW or Hogan at the time so it wasn't that big of a deal for me personally.
No offense to Hogan but for me I didn't really care about WCW or Hogan at the time so it wasn't that big of a deal for me personally.
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