10 Completely Stupid Things In Wrestling That Heels Always Do

The Life Of Crime.

Hulk  Hogan Shawn Michaels
WWE

The recent footage of Joey Ryan combatting Mick Foley's 'Mr Socko' with his assured appendage triggered innumerable debates about the state of the wrestling industry at large in terms of what has the potential to 'kill' the business.

Truthfully though, it's a redundant debate. As has been proven and re-proven over decades, nothing can ever truly force the wrestling industry into submission, thanks in part to a bizarre thirst that exists for some variant of the art-form from its core audience.

Furthermore, with the sweeping changes WWE have made to their own model, a push-and-pull between television rights, Network subscriptions and lucrative licensing deals will always be bigger determiners than the actions of a single absurd spot, no matter how angry it may make an industry icon or disillusioned fan.

If anything between the ropes has the potential to severely damage the industry (if not kill it), it's the continued dissonance that exists over what exactly makes a great heel. So many 'top' villains now so keen to garner a cheer or a sell a t-shirt that some of the more despicable qualities are offset in place of a spectacular move or intentionally hilarious diversion.

Though wrestling has moved away from traditions, old style heel mannerisms can still be employed without a reductive slide into parody and pastiche. From skullduggery to stupidity, these curious quirks that made villainy seem so joyous should still be celebrated, rather than completely abandoned.

10. They Love Me!

Hulk  Hogan Shawn Michaels
WWE

Deaf to boos and blind to disdain, heels will always assume that any attention they receive from the crowd is adoration. Mick Foley once discussed how important it was to believe what he said or did as a heel to make his crimes genuinely effective and believable, and it stands to reason that any heel couldn't possibly fathom why fans don't worship them as much as they do themselves.

The finest trait of the deluded bad guy, a teflon demeanour matched against a torrent of hatred either results in magnified disgust or begrudging respect, not that the wrestler in question is any the wiser.

A genuine highlight as an NXT Champion who simply didn't belong as the figurehead of the hottest wrestling product as time passed, Bo Dallas was sensational portraying a King with no subjects. Naming his imaginary faceless fanbase 'BoLievers' a robust denial that he could possibly be despised became a vital part of his act, and only strengthened responses to the vastly superior Adrian Neville when the two clashed at NXT's first WWE Network special in 2014.

Fittingly, the brand's 'Arrival' marked the start of Bo's farewell tour. Exiting Full Sail as only he could, he still presumed his forced exit to be a punishment for the loyal locals, exhibiting stubbornness to the bitter end as he departed in tears.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett