8 Best WWE Heel Turns (Where The Wrestler Changed Nothing)
Because embracing the dark side doesn't always have to mean a complete 180.
While some people may claim that professional wrestling these days is about shades of grey, there are still a large majority of fans out there who prefer the very clear lines of babyface and heel during rivalries and match-ups.
There may at times be a blurring of the lines between these two roles, but for the most part there are certain fundamentals that differentiate these two sides of the pro wrestling coin. And when done right, a character change from one side of the fence to the other can reignite a superstar and firmly strap that proverbial rocket to their back as they get launched to a whole new level of stardom.
Sometimes, switching from a babyface to a heel, or vice versa, sees a talent undergo a complete 180 character overhaul. Other times, any changes are minimal, subtle, or not even there at all.
And it's those changes that we're going to showcase here.
It takes a rare sort of performer - or a hugely miscast one - to be able to turn heel without changing anything about their on-air persona.
With that stated...
8. Kevin Owens
In the pantheon of relatively recent WWE, Kevin Owens had one of the most shocking heel turns that we've seen.
Having made his NXT in-ring debut against CJ Parker earlier that night at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution, Owens went from white hot babyface to sh*t-stinking heel in the space of barely an hour. And best of all, the character of KO didn't change a jot.
Before he'd even made his in-ring bow for NXT, we'd heard Owens talk up his Prizefighter nickname, and that everything he does between the ropes is for a better life for him and his family. The only thing is, this mantra led to him turning on his long-time best friend during the biggest moment of their career.
While Owens opened R Evolution being wildly cheered by a packed-out Full Sail audience, Sami Zayn would finally defeat Adrian Neville in the main event to become the new NXT Champion. In a heartfelt, special moment, the ring was soon packed with Sami's fellow superstars, as they looked to celebrate this major landmark with the former El Generico.
KO was the last person to make his way to the ring, had an embrace with Zayn that brought a tear to the eye, before Owens viciously turned on his pal and powerbombed him on the ring apron.
And, by the time R Evolution concluded, KO was getting nuclear heat from the shocked NXT Universe.