The WWE's Top Heels of 2008

In this article I'd like to take a look at the WWE Superstars who make their living by getting as many people as they can to dislike them. Where would the WWE without these brave athletes who thrive on boos and jeers?

So I've compiled a list of the Superstars I feel have put on the best performances for the last year. I'm judging them not only on titles, but on in-ring ability and their presence on the mic.

If you are wondering why Rowdy Roddy is on the cover, it's because he is the first WWE performer I associate with being a heel.

Who can forget the classic WWF cartoon show with Piper as the head "bad" guy?

Honorable Mention

Although many have fought to be the most disliked, only a few truly can capture the full hatred of the whole WWE Universe, and the following Superstars are trying to reach that threshold.

The Glamazon, Beth Phoenix would have cracked my Top Ten if she was more fluent on the mic.

Mark Henry provided ample promos during his run as ECW championship, and has become a go-to guy for the WWE when they need a big bad bruiser.

Vladimir Kozlov, previously known as the undefeated Moscow Mauler, is probably my favorite new wrestler of the year, but needs a good storyline push to crack this list.

10. La Familia

La Familia started off the year with a stranglehold on Friday nights, and Vicki Guerrero has not let go yet.

For months, Chavo & company did all of Edge's dirty work, and at the Great American Bash, Hawkins & Ryder were rewarded with the WWE Tag Team Championships holding them for two months, although by that time the WWE had just about stopped pushing them.

Vicki is still a force to be reckoned with in the WWE, and even though I personally can't stand her character, I don't think that two words (excuse me) have gotten such a big reaction from the crowd since DX and the classy "Suck it."

My favorite heel move: The constant wearing down of the Undertaker, paving the way for Edge's World Heavyweight Championship run.

9. Priceless/Legacy

Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase have been very impressive in their first year together, winning the World Tag Team Championships twice.

Their work with Randy Orton as Legacy could be cementing their place in WWE history if they are allowed to blossom to their full potential.

My favorite heel moment: Rhodes turning on Hardcore Holly at Night of Champions, teaming with DiBiase for their first title run.

8. Jack Swagger

Jack Swagger busted on to the Pro Wrestling scene with a million dollar smile and a true cockiness befitting of a man named "Swagger."

I believe that his work with Tommy Dreamer carried ECW for over a month, and is athletic ability puts him towards the top of my "Best Pure Wrestler" list, and his promos are getting better every week.

My favorite heel moment: Jack exuded the ego of a champion when he challenged Tommy Dreamer to an amateur wrestling match.

7. William Regal

William Regal was on top of the world as Raw GM and 2008's King of the Ring, until a suspension put him out of business.

When he did come back, touted as the hottest free agent in the WWE, he displayed a passion and hustle that I didn't see in him previously.

A short stint as IC Champion was a nice way to top off his year and further reward him for his time as a very unpleasant general manager.

My favorite heel moment: Forcing CM Punk to fight a long hard bracket during the King of the Ring tourney, ensuring his victory in the finals.

6. Shelton Benjamin

The Gold Standard is in the midst of a U.S. Championship run spanning over seven months, and could very well be the future of the WWE heels.

With outstanding athleticism that is second to none in the WWE, Shelton is a few good promos away from becoming a dynamic force on the major title scene.

My favorite heel moment: Taunting the Undertaker, and holding his own in the ring with the Deadman.

5. John Bradshaw Layfield

John Bradshaw Layfield is one of the most solid performers on the mic that WWE has.

Although over the last year a championship eluded him until very recently, he had memorable feuds with CM Punk and John Cena, ending in a nasty Parking Lot Brawl at the Great American Bash.

Purchasing the services of HBK was a genius move, and with the Showstopper he created one of the more memorable storylines of the year.

My favorite heel moment: Challenging the Straight Edge Superstar CM Punk to a drinking contest, he carried a very long promo bringing out the best in Punk.

4. The Miz & John Morrison

The go-to tag team in the WWE, and possibly the best tag team of the 21st Century, were able to have two championship runs covering seven months of the last calendar year.

While separately insufferable, together they deliver the most entertaining promos time after time. With championships, Slammys, and athletic ability to spare, the future seems bright for this dastardly duo.

My favorite heel moment: When Raw came to my town, Fort Wayne, the Miz taunted us by calling it Fart Wayne. A close second was ringing the bell prematurely to get the best of Festus.

3. Randy Orton

This year's Royal Rumble winner Randy Orton has the most momentum of any heel going into Wrestlemania 25, and his work with Legacy vs. the McMahons has made it one of the top feuds of this year.

The RKO on Stephanie and punt to Vince's head will be shown for years to come, much like the Stone Cold Stunner on Vince delivered by the Rattlsnake Steve Austin.

Is it coincidence they call Orton the Viper? I personally feel that he belongs at the top of the list for "Best Promo Superstars," and his stalker-like presence in the ring makes him a force for the future of pro wrestling.

My favorite heel moment: While out with an injury, he organized a beatdown of CM Punk, preventing him from defending his championship at Unforgiven.

2. Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho personally raised Shawn Michaels performances to new heights, and feuded with all the major faces on Raw at one point or another this last year.

Whether smacking Rebecca Michaels or weaseling out a win at Unforgiven in the Championship Scramble, Jericho as set the bar for what I expect from a heel.

The video of HBK going through the television during "The Highlight Reel" was instantly classic, as was the shot to Batista's face with the steel pin on top of the steel cage for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Hopefully his work on Wrestlemania 25 will keep Jericho at the top of the WWE, without being in a championship picture.

My favorite heel moment: Whipping a crippled Superfly Snuka seven times with his belt. Seven times, that's just brutal.

1. Edge The Rated "R" Superstar

With 2 WWE Championships and 2 World Heavyweight Championships in the past 12 months, Edge has sometimes single handedly carried Friday nights.

His work with the Undertaker produced many a memorable match, including the TLC match at One Night Stand and being thrown to "hell" in a Hell in a Cell match at SummerSlam.

How good of an actor do you have to be to marry Vickie Guerrero? Winning by any and all means necessary, Edge is the quintessential heel in the WWE, and everyone's favorite guy to root against.

My favorite heel moment: Cheating on Vickie with then wedding planner Alicia Fox, bringing a halt to La Familia.

That's it for me this time, B/R Nation, until next time, be safe and have a pleasant tomorrow.