5 WWE Stars Whose Heel Turn Failed Miserably
There’s nothing more electric in wrestling than a well-timed heel turn. One chair shot, one dirty win, or one betrayal, and the landscape shifts. WWE has delivered some of the most shocking villainous pivots in their history, and fans love it when done right. A successful heel turn reinvents a character, adds depth, and often sets the stage for a legendary run. But when does it go off? It nosedives fast.
But Not All Turns Turn Out Well
Not every betrayal hits the mark. Some turns are mistimed, misbooked, or completely rejected by fans. Instead of boos, they bring confusion. Instead of reinvention, they damage legacies. Here are 5 heel turns since the 2000s that should’ve shaken things up — but failed miserably.
5. The Rock – Hollywood Rock (2003)
He left. He came back. But this time, with leather pants and guitar ballads. Technically a heel, yes. But fans couldn’t stop cheering. From mocking Toronto fans to calling Hulk Hogan “grandpa,” Hollywood Rock was iconic but not hated. WWE wanted boos, but they got laughs and sold-out arenas. A heel turn? Maybe. A failure? Only in theory.
4. Becky Lynch – SummerSlam 2018
She slapped Charlotte Flair. The crowd roared. WWE wanted boos, but fans gave her a standing ovation. That “heel turn” sparked The Man era instead, and Becky became the hottest act in wrestling. WWE tried pushing her as the villain, but the audience refused. This wasn’t a heel turn gone wrong; it was what never stood a chance because the people had already picked their hero.
3. Seth Rollins – 2019 Feud with The Fiend
At one point, Seth Rollins was the “Beast Slayer,” fresh off conquering Brock Lesnar. But then came Hell in a Cell 2019. In a match drowned in red lighting and confusing bookings, fans watched in disbelief as the ref called a stoppage in a no-disqualification match. The Fiend didn’t lose, but neither did Seth win that night in the fans’ eyes. The boos were deafening. WWE tried turning him heel afterward, leaning into a “Monday Night Messiah” persona, but the shift felt forced. What was meant to elevate him instead cracked his momentum wide open. It took a long time and a total character rebuild for him to recover.
2. Stone Cold Steve Austin – WrestleMania X-Seven (2001)
The unthinkable happened. In his home state of Texas, Austin shook hands with Vince McMahon. Fans didn’t boo, they just sat there. Confused. The rebellious anti-hero teaming up with the boss he fought for years? It went against everything he stood for. Even with steel chairs and desperate promo work, the new heel Austin never clicked. Within months, WWE had to pivot again. It proves that even icons can misfire.
1. Bobby Lashley – 2007 ECW Title Reign
Lashley had the looks and the power. But in 2007, WWE tried making him a cold and corporate-aligned heel, even pairing him with Vince McMahon. It fell flat. Fans didn’t buy it, and Lashley’s charisma got lost under bad suits and worse booking. It wasn’t until The Hurt Business in 2020 that Lashley truly found his edge. The 2007 version? Forgettable.
Also Read: Three Reasons Why John Cena Will Not Retire As Heel
Who’s the Most Hated Heel In WWE Right Now?
Dominik Mysterio. No hesitation. The second his music hits, the boos rain down. Real, earned heel heat. He turned on his father, joined The Judgment Day, and ran with it.
Love him or not, he’s mastered the role. And unlike the five names above, Dom’s heel turn didn’t flop; it flourished.
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