The worst heel turn in WWE history saw 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin set aside four years of anti-authority sentiment to align himself with corrupt owner Vince McMahon at the conclusion of WrestleMania X-Seven. "I need to beat you, Rock. I need it more than you can ever imagine", is what he told his 'Mania opponent before the event. It was a bit of foreshadowing that suggested he was willing to do whatever it took to win back the WWE Championship that had eluded him for the past two years. But fans had not grown tired of babyface Austin. They loved him, adored him even. They wanted to continue cheering the beer bashes and the middle fingers. What they got instead was a forced and awkward heel turn that was shoved down their throats. Austin changed. Gone was the no-nonsense badass and in its place was an attention-starved child, who fought Kurt Angle over the right to hug Vince McMahon. He would later admit that the comedic take on the character was done specifically to generate heat but it still did not convince the majority to boo him. Stone Cold's heel turn at the end of WrestleMania X-Seven not only signified the end of the character as fans knew him, it also brought to a conclusion the Attitude Era, perhaps the most magical period in WWE history. That alone makes it the worst heel turn ever.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
