Who is the Greatest Heel in Wrestling History?...

[Ballistic83]

Recently on Monday night RAW last month, they had the million dollar man himself, Ted DiBiase (Sr.) as the special guest host/G.M. of RAW. And in the broadcast, Michael Cole stated that the million dollar man was indeed "the greatest wrestling villain in wrestling history".

But I disagree. If anything he's number two on that list. The greatest villain or heel in wrestling history has to be...Wrestling legend Jake "The Snake" Roberts! Jake just had IT. He oozed evil. It was almost like he was more of his on-screen character in real life. It was like he really had "The Snake" in side of him as much as Satan.

And as far as people saying that "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair goes as that title as the greatest heel, it's not true. Sure he was great as a heel when or when not apart of the four horsemen. But not the GREATEST OF ALL TIME HEEL. But That's how I feel anyway.

 

[Dexter]

Just based on crowd reaction, I'd have to go with Hollywood Hogan, and ultimately that's exactly what it comes down to. Doesn't have to be the best on the stick, or in the ring. They just have to draw the most amount of heat possible, and I don't think anyone did that to the degree that Hogan did.

 

[z99zazn]

There is no other real choice other than Ric Flair. Flair had more longevity as a heel than anyone in the history of wrestling. At least as a huge draw. He was huge in the territories and the NWA and is one of the biggest draws in the history of wrestling. His greatest work was as a heel too, and while you can say that about other wrestlers, his was way above anyone else’s. The ultimate face in wrestling will be Hulk Hogan during his time in the WWF and the ultimate heel will be looked at as Flair, during Flair’s time in the NWA.

 

[Paradox]

I think that this thread has been done before, you might want to check before you throw you up....

Anyways on topic.... While Jake Roberts was pretty evil... I don't think that he is the greatest of all time.... We have seen some great heels come along Dibaise, Michaels, Rock, Stone Cold, Triple h, you could go on...

For me Hogan takes it. Why? Because he was the most beloved man in wrestling and when he turned. He became easily the most hated over night. He had constant heat for a good two years after his turn. Doing nothing else. That's just me though

 

[ShockTheMonkey223]

Nobody deserves the title of "Greatest Heel" more than Mr. McMahon. He went from being the freindly play-by-play guy to the most hated man in sports-entertainment within weeks. Aside from a few face turns, he's played the same character for over a decade and still gets huge heat everytime he cuts a promo. He's managed to make himself a star without even being an actual wrestler. And no, it's not because he runs the show. Ask Vince Russo if being in charge gives you the ability to get yourself over. And besides doing things for chairty, McMahon really never breaks character. When he goes on talk shows or talks to the press, he has the same egotistical persona he has on TV. Nobody is a better heel than Vinnie Mac.

 

[Reddannihilation]

It really depends on a lot of factors, obviously you have Hogan's original heat when he formed the nWo, but, you have to take into account that not long after people decided to cheer the nWo anyway despite the fact they were heels which could lead to the argument that Hogan was to likable to be a heel for more then a few months. When I think of heels I really hated I'd probably pick The Undertaker and Triple H, more specifically The Undertaker during most of 2002 and Triple H from mid 2002-2003. Both of them did things that drew mass amounts of heat.

Triple H turning on HBK was unexpected and after he beat HBK at Armageddon I remember Triple H coming out to HBK's music and getting booed half to death at the same time it genuinely seemed like a dick move on his part to insult someone that way. Similarly Taker's beatdowns on Arn Anderson and David Flair during his Wrestlemania feud with Ric Flair seemed almost legitmatley evil, Taker strapping hogan to his bike and dragging him around backstage looked fucking brutal.

The problem with defining a best heel ever is that it takes into account a lot more than just "who drew the most heat". You had to be convincing as well. Ric Flair was a great heel but he seemed more like the guy who cheats on a test then the guy who shoots someone for fun. The Rock was very charismatic as a heel but much like Hogan he was too "fun" and he eventually was forced face due to his appeal with the audience. And there's far more to process then just that. Hell, Jeff Jarret for the majority of his TNA run was a superb heel; he played the part of the "up his own ass" kind of heel excellently. Not to mention people like McMahon and Bischoff who had the whole "I'm the Boss" thing going, although arguably being a heel chairman/GM/etc. is fairly easy seeing as they just have to make matches the fans disapprove of and instant heat. But, IMO I'd say Taker or HHH during their 2002 heel runs, I've never really felt that any wrestlers have portrayed the kind of malice and genuine hate that I saw better than they did.

 

[hurleyworld4]

I could say Hogan due to his suprising turn at the Bash, I could say DiBiase because of his superior attitude and gimmick, but I am going to say Vickie Guerrero. She went from being Eddie's widdow to the most hated woman in wrestling history. She drew more heat than any woman in my memory. Even with the mic, and her squealing voice, she was drowned out by the boos and disrespect seething from the audience. Now, this could be creditted to her attachment to one of the most talented superstars of the new era, Edge, or it could be a result from her insertion into the position of GM. I believe she was given the GM position because Teddy had grown stale on SmackDown and was needed on ECW, but that decision set in motion some of the most hated decisions and inclusions ever handed down by a GM. She made the lives of Batista, Undertaker, John Cena, and Triple H a living Hell, and subsequently, she earned the hatred of the entire WWE Universe. Her wedding to Edge was icing on the cake, and not once did any of us show sympathy when Edge looked for sexual attention elsewhere or when he publicly humiliated her during her last night on RAW. If a heel cannot even be a sympathetic character, we cannot justify pity, and therefor, he or she is truly one of the best villians in WWE history.

 

[KillBill]

Jake Roberts, from July '91 to April '92 was the best heel ever. All the other guys mentioned, if you think of the most evil thing they've done, it wouldn't come close to what Roberts did. He was doing the things Orton was doing, but much earlier. putting a cobra in a wedding gift? Having it bite Savage? Slapping Elizabeth? He almost hit Liz with a chair til Taker stopped him. And listen to his promos from then, some of the best ever. There were bad guys, this guy was pure evil.

 

[yoshi_doce2006]

I would say Jake Roberts but since two people already said it I will go another direction. I say Ole Anderson. Arn Anderson on the Four Horsemen DVD even called Ole an evil bastard saying that "Ole had been such an evil bastard for so long he didn't have a leg to stand on." In my opinion Arn Anderson's opinion carries a hell of a lot of weight and Ive seen some of Ole's work over his 30 years in the business and must say that he lived up to that reputation.

 

[KKarvox]

I'd say if it's who drew the most heat, then probably Chris Jericho right now, but if it's about who really made the crowd believe his character, i'd say Taker during his 2001-02 heel run, just because he was brutal. Whipping his opponents with his belt, tying hogan to his bike, just brutalizing RVD and Jeff Hardy, and attacking Ric flairs son, and he cut really believable promos. Chris Jericho is also good at making his character believable, and has done some evil things, but not like Taker did.

 

[Motor City Mayhem]

Well in my mind there are 5 guys that are in a category for them selves.

5. The Undertaker... In 2001-2002 as KKarvox said, he was a beast, he was a man who just destroyed people. Didn't matter who you were, he would just plain and simple destroy you.

4. Chris Jericho... The present day Jericho is the most, Hated wrestler in the WWE right now, whether were sycophants, hypocrites, or whatever else he comes up with, he just knows how to make people hate his guys.

3.Edge...Hes the Ultimate Opportunist that has been bugging people since he cashed in the MITB against John Cena at New Years Revolution 2004 I believe. He wins Titles because hes a transitional Champ, he wins to set up a feud, he doesn't hold the belt that long and when was the last time he won a belt cleanly?

2.Jake "The Snake" Roberts...Could be the number 1 on my list and no one would complain, he did things that would make Randy Orton look like a Baby Face today.
He is the Ultimate Heel...But My Number One Is...

1.VINCENT KENNEDY MCMAHON...Thats right, Vince McMahon is the best Heel of all time, he gets the most heat from the fans when hes Bad Ass McMahon then my top 4 heels combined. You hated him during the time he was heel(Cant pinpoint when but it was a long time), he is truly the most Hated man ever in WWE, and once he comes back and becomes that Asshole again, it'll be HELL!

 

[GeminiJ13]

No doubt about it that currently Chris Jericho is the best heel in the business today! Randy Orton would have to be a close second though. You cant help but hate Orton and he is a believable psycho. Triple H was always better as a heel, same goes for The Rock. A name that I cant believe hasnt been mentioned is Edge. Edge has done it all in the WWE and mostly as a heel. Also Mick Foley in his anti-ECW rants, a very impressive heel. Undertaker is an easy pick for most, even when he is not a heel, he beats both heels and faces. His character is somewhat nuetral and always evil. Speaking of evil, alot of you mentioned him, I tend to disagree, I believe his "demons" were lines of blow. Kinda like Ultimate Warrior, a little out there, a little too believable, and a little... off the wall. Million Dollar man is a nice choice as well for he was Always a heel. Vince is possibly the best asshole on tv when he is a heel. I know this might be against the rules, but the Dudley Boyz are the best tag team heels ever IMO. They started legit riots in ECW. Edge is top 5 on my list, but I have to agree with some people and say that Hulk Hogan was the best heel ever! It was like "the night the ring stood still" immediate hatred and it also formed the biggest group in wrestling, the NWO. By far the best single heel turn was that night at Bash at the Beach! When Hogan did that it was like Vince introducing Bischoff as the new GM, alot of us said "are you fuckin' serious?"

 

[Milkyway!]

There is no other real choice other than Ric Flair.

Well, and Killer Kowalski. The man who revolutionized what a heel was. I'd go as far as saying, he is the original heel.

Flair had more longevity as a heel than anyone in the history of wrestling.

Kowalski was a heel from 1952-1977. Dang near his entire career the man played a heel, because he was just that damn good at it.

At least as a huge draw.

A heel that draws is incorrectly doing their job. Its the heels job to make the face draw. Killer Kowalski did this all throughout the reign of Bruno Samartino. Making Bruno one of the biggest draws in wrestling history.

He was huge in the territories and the NWA and is one of the biggest draws in the history of wrestling.

The question wasn't who is the biggest draw. Because once again, heels don't draw. The question was who is the greatest heel of all time. That goes to none other than Killer Kowalski.

His greatest work was as a heel too, and while you can say that about other wrestlers, his was way above anyone else’s.

Flair did make a great heel, but I wouldn't hardly call that his best work. Flair was a great draw, and a great face. His wrestling style fit in with the era, and his promos made people love him. When a heel, people still loved him. That wouldn't be the greatest heel in the world. The greatest heel would be someone people love to hate. Killer Kowalski, is the man you call, when you need someone people love to hate.

The ultimate face in wrestling will be Hulk Hogan during his time in the WWF

Well seeing as how, Stone Cold Steve Austin drew more than Hulk did, if you compare their times. I think you would be incorrect on this, too. Overall Hulk did more for the company, and drew more. But its like comparing Peyton Manning to Tom Brady. Peyton's stats and records are obviously better, because he has about 4-5 more playing years than Tom Brady.

and the ultimate heel will be looked at as Flair, during Flair’s time in the NWA.

Incorrect. I've allready said this several times in this post. Killer Kowalski is a better heel than Flair.

 

[AllHailJericho]

I'm actually surprised no one has said Roddy Piper yet. He was the original heel in the WWF and was one of Hogan's first rivals. Roddy was great on the stick and drew the most heat back in the day. I don't think he's the best but you could make an arguement that he is. For me though, the best heel of ALL TIME is, Ric Flair and I think enough people have said why on this thread.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Hollywood Hogan received as much if not more heat then anyone in my opinion. We can't forget that Sgt. Slaughter had to have body doubles to go out in public. They also had to move arenas for Wrestlemania 7 because of threats and assassination attempts. I also have to make an honorable mention to Mick Foley who can cut the best promos out there whether they are heel or face.

 

[yoshi_doce2006]

Heels that draw are incorrectly doing their jobs? After The Four Horsemen formed the NWA went from drawing 1300 people to drawing tens of thousands of people per event. The Horsemen as a whole were the baddest badass heels in history and drew enough people to turn Crockett Promotions from a top territory into the most popular wrestling company of that time until management forced out Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson. Maybe the Horsemen were an exception to the norm but they proved that heels can draw when they are booked right.

 

[Superman]

In my opinion its a tie between Hollywood Hogan and 2008-2009 Chris Jericho these to draw heat so much that fans try to attack them themselves. Just look at how much crap was thrown at hulk hogan the night he started the nWo, Now look at that clip of that fan that jumped out at chris jericho at a house show. They draw uber heat.

 

[CenaSux4Life78]

The Greatest Heel of all-time? Hmmmm there are lots to choose from. But I would have to go with The Hot Rod himself, Roddy Piper. He was the IT heel back in the day. Hands down, no one could, can, or will, equal him.

 

[Southwind]

The greatest of all time ? That's a good question all the great heels were special in their own way Flair Ted Sr. Hollywood Hogan and Triple H. I'm going to go with Hogan maybe because it's fresher in my mind but still he went from the all time best wrestling face to a villain and the heat he got was unbelievable. The confrontation with the Rock was amazing.

Honorable mention you know it may break the curve a little but damn did Vickie Guerrero get some great heat or what ? You simply could not hear her talk the crowd blew up with boo's whenever she appeared it was surprising to me at least and it's a shame the way VKM decided to get rid of her.

 

[I Beat Dan Gable]

I'll have to vote for Killer Kowalski.
He did define the role and opened up a whole new dimension in professional wrestling.

 

[mr.davidson]

I am surprised no one has mentioned randy savage..... though Hogan was a big heel... Randy was a great heel.... i found him always more enteraining when he was a hell then when he was a baby face..... He was so good as a heel not only did they put him against Hulk Hogan.. But they had 2 put him up against their number 2 man aswell the Warrior.... And I think they were 2 of the best WM matches i Have ever seen!!!!!!!

 

[Nate DaMac]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Kurt Angle. He certainly isn't the greatest of all time, but should definitely be in the discussion for the best in the current generation. His promos are damn good, and he knows exactly where to go for the cheap heat. He has had the same gimmick for like 10 years and still keeps it interesting. I guess the one gripe would be that he is still a fun heel to watch, and he still gets a pop from time to time, but I still think he's a damn good heel.

 

[RVDgurl]

I don't know if I could pinpoint the greatest wrestling heel ever. There have been so many great ones who have made a career out of being a heel and some who have been more than great for just a short while. I could make a compelling case for alot of guys such as Jake Roberts, Roddy Piper, Hollywood Hogan, the Dudley Boys, Million Dollar Man, Raven, and Ric Flair.
But I can honestly say that, for me, Shane Douglas stands out above the rest. For anyone who is familiar with the old ECW, you know what I mean. During Douglas' run as The Franchise, he generated more heat than anything I've ever seen. He was the guy that threw down the NWA belt, beat up a guy with a broken neck, and antagonized crowds to the point of near riots. Fans have thrown garbage at him; fans have spit on him; fans have hopped the railing during matches to get to him; fans have waited after the show, with weapons in hand, for him. Shane Douglas knew how to work a crowd. He made people loath him.

 

[FytinIrish]

Nobody mentioned The Ravishing One-- Rick Rude. He always had good heat, wore awesome tights (gotta love the ones with the IC Title, World Title, and his opponents faces).. Not to mention here's a link to him getting Vicki-esque heel heat.. Even I don't remember this, but couldn't believe the crowd hate him so much:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAVY8iwHXkw

 

[spinningtorturerack]

I'm suprised that Paul Heyman hasn't been mentioned! Sure he was popular in ECW and so on. But when acting as a manager for, say, Brock Lesnar he was brutal in his sharp tongue and had the twisted psycho of Brock to back him up that left a huge path of destruction.