History Main / Heel

** Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield (formerly Bradshaw of the APA, and the nephew of "Blackjack" Lanza) turned heel in 2004 and more or less never looked back. His transformation from [[TheDeepSouth trailer-trash Texan]] to [[CorruptCorporateExecutive conniving stock-market investor]] was inspired in part by his [[RealLifeWritesThePlot actual exploits on Wall Street]], for which he became eminently respected in the world of finance. He portrayed himself as a [[AcceptableProfessionalTargets corrupt politician]] throughout 2004 and 2005 (complete with a "cabinet" of henchmen wrestlers) and handed out [[{{Eagleland}} American flags]] to spectators, then in late 2005 and early 2006 played the role of a [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain xenophobic redneck]] who taunted ReyMysterioJr. (he did this to EddieGuerrero too, in 2004) During the latter half of 2006 and most of 2007 he was a color commentator with Wrestling/MichaelCole on ''[[Wrestling/{{WWESmackDown}} WWE SmackDown!]]'', where he toned down his heelish traits a bit but still invariably rooted for the heel wrestlers. He returned to ring action in December 2007 to feud with Wrestling/ChrisJericho, during which time he reverted to many of his {{Jerkass}} roots ([[KickTheDog attacking the midget Hornswoggle]], for instance) before finally retiring for good early in 2009. Throughout the entire post-2004 period, he was hardly ever seen without his trademark [[NiceHat white cowboy hat]] and [[CoolCar white limousine]], which his outraged opponents were sometimes granted the pleasure of wrecking! (Wrestling/TheUndertaker once chokeslammed Bradshaw through the limo)

Note that heel heat is distinct from XPacHeat; fans LoveToHate an effective heel and want to see him get his comeuppance, while they simply hate an X-Pac and want him off their screens entirely.

It used to be all heels seemed to work together with no problems but lately [[EvenEvilHasStandards some may draw the line]], finding the actions of other heels unacceptable while not turing themselves. For example, Wrestling/TripleH could call out the heel Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield for his racism while staying a heel himself.

It used to be all heels seemed to work together with no problems but lately [[EvenEvilHasStandards some may draw the line]], finding the actions of other heels unacceptable while not turing themselves. For example, Wrestling/TripleH was still a heel when he called out Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield for his racism while staying heel himself.

The opposite of a heel is a {{Face}}, the ([[DesignatedHero usually]])good guy that the fans cheer for. See also [[WildCard [=Tweener=]]] (a guy who falls in be''tween'' Face and Heel status, fighting either side as the situation calls for) and XPacHeat (when the fans hate the ''actual person''). The HeelFaceIndex has some more variations.

* Wolf (played by Michael Van Wijk) from ''Series/{{Gladiators}}''.
** Which leads to a subversion as he was easily the most popular Gladiator, although his attitude never changed throughout the shows run due to his deliberately poor acting. This even carried into the revival when he returned although toned down somewhat due to his role.
* ZackRyder. Hated for bad jokes, arrogance, entrance music, hair style, goggles, see through jacket, pants with different length legs and his signature taunt "Woo Woo Woo!"
** Oddly enough though, many Smart Marks are fans of ZackRyder. Though this may have something to do with his theme song...
*** [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Ohhhhh Radio, tell me everything you know..]]
** Has now turned face. His gimmick hasn't changed, but he is now an annoying douche towards heels rather than faces. Which is hilarious. Toning down the outfit may have helped too.

** And Aran Ryan. Whenever he uses one of his ([[CombatPragmatist many]]) illegal moves, such as a headbutt, the audience boos.
*** They both get [[ProducePelting pelted with garbage]] during their title defense intermissions.
* Almost every main eventer has been a [[HeelFaceRevolvingDoor heel at one time or another]]; Wrestling/TheUndertaker, Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin, Wrestling/RicFlair, [[Wrestling/DwayneJohnson The Rock]], Wrestling/TripleH, Wrestling/ShawnMichaels, Wrestling/HulkHogan, {{Wrestling/Sting}}, Wrestling/KurtAngle, the list goes on...
** Famously averted by [[Wrestling/RickySteamboat Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat]], who always remained the ultimate face in a career that spanned 3 decades. One of wrestling's more interesting {{What If}}s asks what would have happened if Steamboat had kept his given name -- Richard Blood.
** Also famously averted by Wrestling/TitoSantana, a Mexican American wrestler who remained face throughout his entire career. Although best known as a mid-carder, his main event appearances have taken place while [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/ic.html WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion]] (1984-1985, usually against [[Wrestling/GregValentine Greg "The Hammer" Valentine]], [[Wrestling/DonMuraco The Magnificent Muraco]] and [[Wrestling/RandySavage Randy "Macho Man" Savage]]) and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-world-t.html WWE World Tag Team Championship]] (1979-1980 with Ivan Putski, 1987-1988 with Wrestling/RickMartel), and his later feud with Martel (1989-1990).

** Several other fighters do this. Josh Koscheck spent the whole of the Ultimate Fighter running up to his title match playing the cocky asshole heel to George St-Pierre's calm philosophical approach.
** Muhammad Ali's persona was largely inspired by Jack Johnson. Jack Johnson was incredibly arrogant and would often gloat over his fallen opponents. Justified because he was a black fighter in the early 20th century and would have been considered a heel regardless of how he acted. He chose to act in a way that showed that he wasn't a pushover.
** Creator/AndyKaufman is another public figure who idolized and emulated heels, and eventually became one himself in a feud with [[Westling/JerryLawler Jerry "The King" Lawler]].

* It should be noted that a heel is merely one that is booed. [[DesignatedVillain Some heels booed loudest do little wrong or mean spirited]]. Big Daddy V's biggest crime was [[FanDisservice the outfit he wore]]. Jillian Hall simply did not realize she was a terrible singer. They may {{kick| the dog}} a dog if put in a high profile feud but just to move the story rather than get reactions.

* Being a former professional wrestler, it's not surprising Wrestling/BrockLesnar decided to act like one in his victory speech at UFC 100.
** His defeated opponent Frank Mir would end up borrowing the heel act in the lead-up to UFC 107.
** Taking Muhammad Ali's example up-page, he probably figures that annoying the fans is likely to draw fans willing to pay for the chance of watching him get beaten up. Judging by the PPV buy rates, he may well be right.

Fans may boo a heel for any number of reasons; he may be cowardly, cruel, cocky, arrogant, whiny, or any combination thereof. [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain Usually]] not for [[EqualOpportunityEvil discriminatory reasons though]]...[[GorgeousGeorge usually]].

The color commentator often takes the heels' side, the better to egg the fans on. Also, expect a certain section of the Smarks to [[RootingForTheEmpire delight in the heels' victories]]. See ForeignWrestlingHeel, a recurring exception.

The color commentator often takes the heels' side, the better to egg the fans on. Also, expect a certain section of the Smarks to [[RootingForTheEmpire delight in the heels' victories]].

See ForeignWrestlingHeel for a popular type of heel.

It’s also important to point out that a heel would [[EvenEvilHasStandards draw the line]] and would find the actions of other heels unacceptable while staying heel themselves. For example, Wrestling/TripleH was still a heel when he called out Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield for his racism while staying heel himself.

* Hawlucha, a {{Pokemon}} introduced in ''Main/PokemonXandY'', is interesting in that its shiny form makes it look the Heel to its default form's {{Face}}.

It’s also important to point out that a heel would have [[EvenEvilHasStandards has limits]] and would find the actions of other heels unacceptable while staying heel themselves. For example, Wrestling/TripleH was still a heel when he called out Wrestling/JohnBradshawLayfield for his racism while staying heel himself.

Fans may boo a heel for any number of reasons; he may be cowardly, cruel, cocky, arrogant, whiny, or any combination thereof. [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain Usually]] not for [[EqualOpportunity Evil discriminatory reasons though]]...[[GorgeousGeorge usually]].

Fans may boo a heel for any number of reasons; he may be cowardly, cruel, cocky, arrogant, whiny, or any combination thereof.

It’s also wroth noting Heels [[EqualOpportunityEvil don’t discriminate]] and from came from different backgrounds, including race and sex, similar to [[{{Face}} faces]] and whoever is fair game. They also [[EvenEvilHasStandards have limits]] on how much is too much.

** Also famously averted by Wrestling/TitoSantana, a Mexican American wrestler who remained face throughout his entire career. Although best known as a mid-carder, his main event appearances have taken place while [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/ic.html WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion]] (1984-1985, usually against [[Wrestling/GregValentine Greg "The Hammer" Valentine]], the Magnificent Muraco and [[Wrestling/RandySavage Randy "Macho Man" Savage]]) and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-world-t.html WWE World Tag Team Championship]] (1979-1980 with Ivan Putski, 1987-1988 with Wrestling/RickMartel), and his later feud with Martel (1989-1990).

** Also famously averted by Wrestling/TitoSantana, a Mexican American wrestler who remained face throughout his entire career. Although best known as a mid-carder, his main event appearances have taken place while [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/ic.html WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion]] (1984-1985, usually against Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, the Magnificent Muraco and [[Wrestling/RandySavage Randy "Macho Man" Savage]]) and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-world-t.html WWE World Tag Team Championship]] (1979-1980 with Ivan Putski, 1987-1988 with Wrestling/RickMartel), and his later feud with Martel (1989-1990).

** GorgeousGeorge (Wrestling/GeorgeWagner), who gained mainstream popularity through his heel antics and over-the-top personality. The man invented the modern concept of the heel and inspired every guy who ever dyed his hair blonde and played up his amazing physique and outstanding in-ring abilities from The Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to Wrestling/DolphZiggler. Oh, and he was also a big part of where Muhammad Ali stole his "gimmick" in the boxing ring.

** Also famously averted by Wrestling/TitoSantana, a Mexican American wrestler who remained face throughout his entire career. Although best known as a mid-carder, his main event appearances have taken place while [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/ic.html WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion]] (1984-1985, usually against Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, the Magnificent Muraco and [[Wrestling/RandySavage Randy "Macho Man" Savage]]) and the [[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-world-t.html WWE World Tag Team Championship]] (1979-1980 with Ivan Putski, 1987-1988 with Rick Martel), and his later feud with Martel (1989-1990).

* It should be noted that a heel is merely one that is booed. [[DesignatedVillain Some heels booed loudest do little wrong or mean spirited]]. Big Daddy V's biggest crime was the outfit he wore. Jillian Hall simply did not realize she was a terrible singer. They may {{kick| the dog}} a dog if put in a high profile feud but just to move the story rather than get reactions.

** GorgeousGeorge (George Wagner), who gained mainstream popularity through his heel antics and over-the-top personality. The man invented the modern concept of the heel and inspired every guy who ever dyed his hair blonde and played up his amazing physique and outstanding in-ring abilities from The Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to Wrestling/DolphZiggler. Oh, and he was also a big part of where Muhammad Ali stole his "gimmick" in the boxing ring.

** There is no way this list is complete without mention of the original heel - GorgeousGeorge (George Wagner), who gained mainstream popularity through his heel antics and over-the-top personality. The man invented the modern concept of the heel and inspired every guy who ever dyed his hair blonde and played up his amazing physique and outstanding in-ring abilities from The Nature Boy Buddy Rogers to Wrestling/DolphZiggler. Oh, and he was also a big part of where Muhammad Ali stole his "gimmick" in the boxing ring.

The opposite of a heel is a {{Face}}, the good guy that the fans cheer for. See also [[WildCard [=Tweener=]]] (a guy who falls in be''tween'' Face and Heel status, fighting either side as the situation calls for) and XPacHeat (when the fans hate the ''actual person''). The HeelFaceIndex has some more variations.

* Wolf (played by Michael Van Wijk) from ''{{Gladiators}}''.

The opposite of a heel is a {{Face}}, the good guy that the fans cheer for. See also {{Tweener}} (a guy who falls in be''tween'' Face and Heel status, fighting either side as the situation calls for) and XPacHeat (when the fans hate the ''actual person''). The HeelFaceIndex has some more variations.

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* Managers can also be heels as well, as [[Wrestling/VinceMcMahon Vince [=McMahon=]]] and Wrestling/PaulHeyman have proven, and commentators too, and ''referees''!