10 Wrestling Heels Who Generated The Most Heat

4. The Fabulous Freebirds

Hollywood Rock The Rock Concert 2003
WWE.com

No programme before The Fabulous Freebirds Vs. The Von Erichs dynamic ever leaned so heavily into the rock n' roll aesthetic - and to further that comparison, Michael Hayes, Terry Gordy and Buddy Roberts were the Rolling Stones; the more rugged and sexualised competition to a babyface group mythologised in their own lifetime by a rabid regional support.

The Freebirds incited a riot at the Reunion Arena when, on Christmas Day, 1982, Michael Hayes turned on hometown hero Kerry Von Erich to cost him his chance at NWA World's Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair in an all-time legendary angle that instigated an all-time legendary feud. This all followed a miscommunication spot in which Flair sent Kerry tumbling into Hayes, unsighted by Gordy, who slammed the steel cage door shut on Kerry's head in retribution - ironically opening the door to a much-imitated, never-bettered spot in the process.

The effect of the blow rendered Von Erich unable to continue. This shocking moment generated a harsh din through which you can make out both jeers and shrieks of helpless rage from the Von Erichs' impassioned female fanbase.

Those whirlwind six-man tags sustained the volume in a multi-year epic of a feud.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!