What Is a Heel Turn in WWE?

A heel turn in WWE is a term used to describe when a professional wrestler transitions from being a fan favorite (or a “face”) to becoming a villainous character (or a “heel”). This change in character often occurs as part of a storyline or plot development to create drama and excitement for the audience.

Why Do Wrestlers Turn Heel?

There are several reasons why wrestlers may undergo a heel turn:

• Refreshing Their Character: Turning heel allows wrestlers to explore new aspects of their persona and showcase different skills. It provides an opportunity for reinvention and keeps their character from becoming stale.
• Generating Heat: Heel characters are designed to provoke strong negative reactions from the audience, known as “heat.”

  This heat helps create emotional investment in storylines and matches, making the overall product more compelling.

• Balancing the Roster: A wrestling promotion needs both faces and heels to maintain a balanced roster. Turning a popular face into a heel helps ensure there are enough villains for the heroes to overcome.
• Creating Feuds: Heel turns often lead to feuds with former allies or other faces, resulting in intense rivalries that captivate fans and drive ticket sales.

Signs of an Impending Heel Turn

Before a wrestler officially turns heel, there are usually subtle hints and foreshadowing. These signs can include:

• In-Ring Behavior: The wrestler may start using more aggressive tactics during matches, bending or breaking rules, Targeting specific body parts of opponents, or refusing to shake hands after matches.
• Promos and Interviews: A wrestler may begin expressing frustration, dissatisfaction, or resentment towards the fans, other wrestlers, or management. They may adopt a more arrogant or entitled attitude.
• Associating with Heel Wrestlers: The wrestler might form alliances or partnerships with established heels or start spending more time with villainous characters backstage.

Memorable Heel Turns in WWE History

Over the years, WWE has seen numerous memorable heel turns that have left a lasting impact on fans. Here are a few notable examples:

The Rock

In 1997, The Rock was initially introduced as a smiling babyface known as Rocky Maivia. However, due to negative audience reactions and lack of connection, he turned heel and transformed into “The Rock.” This decision led to his rise as one of the most entertaining and successful villains in WWE history.

Hulk Hogan

In 1996, after years of being the ultimate American hero, Hulk Hogan shocked the world by joining the New World Order (nWo) faction and embracing his dark side. This unexpected heel turn revitalized Hogan’s career and created one of wrestling’s most iconic storylines.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Austin’s transformation from an anti-establishment anti-hero to a ruthless villain occurred during his feud with Vince McMahon in 2001. This change allowed Austin to regain his rebellious edge and brought new layers to his character.

The Impact of a Heel Turn

A well-executed heel turn can have a significant impact on both the wrestler involved and the overall wrestling product:

• Character Development: A heel turn gives wrestlers the opportunity to explore different facets of their personality and evolve their characters.
• Increased Audience Engagement: The negative reactions generated by heel characters create a more dynamic and interactive environment for fans, fostering emotional investment in storylines and matches.
• Storyline Progression: Heel turns often lead to new feuds, alliances, and unexpected plot twists, keeping the audience intrigued and eager to see what happens next.
• Merchandise Sales: Successful heel characters can generate substantial merchandise sales as fans are drawn to the villain’s persona and want to show their support (or disdain) through merchandise purchases.

In conclusion, a heel turn in WWE is a pivotal moment that can completely transform a wrestler’s career and create excitement for fans. It allows wrestlers to explore new dimensions of their character while generating intense emotions and engaging storylines. The impact of a well-executed heel turn can be felt throughout the wrestling industry, leaving a lasting impression on both wrestlers and fans alike.