10 DUMB WWE Face Turns (We Didn't Want To Admit Were GENIUS!)
9. The Hurricane (2001)
Deliberately goofy gimmicks are always a risk, but taking the plunge worked out well for Cruiserweight Title division star Shane Helms. He was going nowhere as just another cog in the WCW invasion machine before shaking things up completely and introducing fans to The Hurricane. Yep, Helms turned into a barmy superhero wannabe.
His performances under the mask were so charming that Shane survived the post-invasion angle demotion spree. Instead of heading to developmental for "seasoning" (a death knell for so many), Helms endeared himself to WWF fans from late-2001 onwards. By mid-2002, he was legitimately one of the best undercard babyfaces on the roster.
Going baby paid off.
People loved what they were seeing from Hurricane, and his high match quality didn't suffer because of the character either. Helms ended up riding the crest of a wave all the way to big time moments like a featured match vs. The Rock. That wouldn't have been possible had he stayed Hurri-heel.