The monster heel is an integral part of the WWE landscape. Ever since the earliest days of the company, crafting unstoppable forces from imposing big men has been a huge part of the booking toolkit. The best way to put over a new babyface is by having them pull off an underdog victory against someone who has been painted as the ultimate force of villainy. WWE fans have been treated to a new monster heel in recent weeks in the shape of Rusev. In a series of emphatic squash matches, the Bulgarian Brute has established himself as a man that seems just about unbeatable, accompanied by his social ambassador Lana. The typical foreign monster, Rusev's adoration for Russian leader Vladimir Putin gives the character a lot of heat that has fed into his meteoric rise. Monster heels make for dominant champions and formidable challengers, so it is understandable that professional wrestling bookers continue to rely on them to create engaging stories. The monster heel is a wrestling archetype that is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Over the years, there have been dozens of hugely successful monster heel characters. Some turned babyface later in their careers, but others will always be remembered as the evil monsters that they were.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
