10 WWE Betrayals That Were Totally Justified

by Jamie Kennedy

1. The Rock (2003)

The Rock 2003
WWE.com

The Rock's face at SummerSlam 2002 told the whole story.

An audience that had turned on him before did so again as he battled WWE's 'Next Big Thing' Brock Lesnar in Uniondale, New York. Knowing how to respond to the hatred this time was key for Rocky; instead of panicking, he snapped back at the fans and laid the foundations for his next run in 2003.

When he did return, The Rock was given an heroic welcome. Fans, it seemed, were delighted to have him back, but the Hollywood star was having none of it. Remembering how he was spurned in favour of a new toy the previous year, Rock said he didn't need the people nor WWE's warm embrace anymore. He had Hollywood, and it was better.

Why wouldn't he feel that way, really? Fans had nailed their colours to the mast by siding with a new sensation, and it was they who had betrayed him, not the other way around. It was simple heel stuff, but totally effective, and it re-established The Rock as a heel with a chip on his shoulder.

What other WWE heel turns or betrayals do you think were totally justified? Let us know down in the comments below!

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.