CM Punk and the Top 7 Must-Watch Heels in WWE

Love me some heels.

Call me biased.  Call me partial.  Call me what you will.  But, the truth is, heels can be not only the most entertaining Superstars in WWE, but they can also be the most fun.

Then there's the fact that I spent much of my time in the business as a heel manager, so you could say that has perhaps influenced my opinion.

Right now, arguably the biggest heel in WWE is the man who, ironically enough, is not considered a heel by many fans.  WWE Champion CM Punk began his highly debated turn on the 1000th episode of Raw and has been adding layer upon layer to his new "direction" with each passing week.

But, the fact is, you don't need to be encouraged to "watch" CM Punk.  Let's face it, everyone already is.

He is the champ, featured heavily on Raw every week and defends the belt on every pay-per-view. At this point, you would have to stop tuning in to WWE programming in order to not watch Punk.  He's everywhere.

And, he's made it.  He is at the top of his game, wearing the industry's top prize and is the man to beat in the company.  

The heels on this list are Superstars who are on the way up.  They each have something going for them and they each keep giving fans reasons to watch them.  And, they are doing their part to make it entertaining and fun for fans, as only heels can.

Let's hear it for the bad guys.

No. 7—Antonio Cesaro

The man formerly known by his real name, Claudio Castagnoli, has finally tasted success since entering WWE as Antonio Cesaro.

Cesaro is the current United States Champion, and for this King of Wrestling that can only mean great things for his future.

Despite how many fans who believe that championships are just props, the truth is, when you're a new face in the biggest pro wrestling company in the world, there's nothing like getting your first strap.  Fans may know who Cesaro is, but now that he has a belt, he will have even more of the spotlight.

This will allow Cesaro to establish himself in WWE and gain a foothold with fans who perhaps may not have noticed him much in the past.

The guy is a very good worker, he's paid his dues and now he gets the opportunity to shine on a worldwide stage.  

He also happens to be a cocky heel who flaunts his world traveled persona and sexy girlfriend every time he's on TV.

It's a formula for success, and Antonio Cesaro is on his way there.

No. 6—Tensai

I know what you're thinking: Tensai has won nothing lately. The only thing he's become good at is losing and then beating up Sakamoto because of it.

You will get no arguments here. In fact, it's gotten downright pathetic at this point. But, therein lies the twist, as I believe he's overdue for a comeback.  

Why?

Because WWE did too much work to help this guy get over as a heel to just give up on him now. Though the Tensai character may not be working right now, it does not mean that it cannot be revived under the right circumstances.

If that is not in the cards, then perhaps a change of character is in order.  

The fact is, Tensai has not only Albert and A-Train to fall back on, there is also Giant Bernard, who he ran in Japan.

Tensai is a big, hard nosed, nasty heel.  He does a great job playing the vicious brawler and a heel like that is invaluable to have around.

Now if he could only get over.

No.5—The Miz

Since the Miz's return to WWE, fans have done nothing but bemoan the fact that he really seems to be getting nothing.

Yes, he's the current Intercontinental Champion, but after that there's really not much to brag about.  He seems to keep getting pinned and is not being made to look good, no matter who he's working.

But, much like Tensai, I believe Miz could be on the way back up.  After putting in his time filming The Marine 3, Miz could be due for a push as a way of promoting the movie when it's released.

There's also the fact that he is such a good heel; the kind of heel that you just want to see bad stuff happen to.

He is so good at getting into character that often it just seems to be him.  He knows just what to say and how to say it to get over.  And, he knows just what to do to make you hate him.

The fact that he has evolved into such a good worker is also a plus and when it's all added together objectively, it's a recipe for success in WWE.

Really?  Yes, really.

No. 4—Wade Barrett

Wade Barrett has not yet returned from injury, but judging by the promos that WWE are running for him right now, he will be a can't-miss Superstar upon his arrival.

Barrett is one of those guys who was called "the future" on more than one occasion. Leading the Nexus upon his introduction to WWE programming, he seemed to be a Superstar on the rise.

However, after losing a feud with John Cena and then being kicked out of his super-heel group, Barrett found himself on the low end of the WWE food chain.

And just when it seemed he was on the right track back up the ladder, he got injured.

Since the vignettes began rolling, there is a definite sense of a return to relevancy for Wade Barrett.  I believe that when he returns, he will become a big deal in WWE.

A very big deal.

He has all the tools necessary to be a real star in the business, and with the proper circumstances and the right situation, Wade could very well make a huge impact in the house that McMahon built.

Let the barrage begin.

No. 3—Damien Sandow

There is nothing I don't love about Damien Sandow.

He is the perfect heel character.  His smarmy attitude and holier than thou approach makes him a must see heel in WWE.  He is so over the top with his arrogance that it's just flat out entertaining.

Plus, in a gimmick that could have fallen flat on its face as a silly, convoluted idea, Sandow has more than excelled.

He has absolutely risen to the occasion.  In a company that demands you stand out to be successful, Damien Sandow has done that and then some.

He is not a champion.  At least not yet.  But, the time is coming eventually.

And, when it does, you better believe his arrogance will be at an all time high.  You think he's smug now?

Just wait until he has a title belt around his waist.

Sandow has the makings of a guy who could be a WWE mainstay for years to come.  He is such a natural at what he does and is so good in the ring, at some point, he will reach that next level.

All in good time.  Right now, he's too busy reminding us all that he's doing us a favor just by being here.

You're welcome.

No.2—Dolph Ziggler

The only reason Dolph Ziggler is not number one on this list is because no matter how close he gets to that brass ring, he seems to keep getting pushed back a half-step.

Make no mistake about it: When you talk about a great heel, a guy who works very hard in the ring and is doing all he can to entertain, then you're talking about a must watch Superstar.

He's not even won the World Title yet.

It seems a foregone conclusion that Dolph will win the "big one," and the fact that Chris Jericho gave him the rub in his last match on Monday Night Raw is a sure sign that Ziggler is on his way to that level.

Dolph has come a long way in terms of his character, ring work and establishing himself as a main event-caliber performer.  

Let's not forget that he is perhaps the best all-around heel in the company.

Dolph Ziggler is the Showoff.  And, he does just that every time he steps through the ropes.

No. 1—Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan went from being so irrelevant that virtually no one cared about him to being perhaps the best all-around performer in WWE.

And it was all thanks to one word.

When the "yes" catchphrase caught fire, so did Bryan, whose critics finally gave him a second look.  That attention began to spread through arenas all over the world.

Bryan is now considered by many to be the most entertaining heel in WWE.  His sudden fits of anger, combined with his neurotic and paranoid behavior, are enough to make you really want to see him.

The fact is, when Daniel Bryan is on TV, it's almost impossible to turn away.

He is a prime example of a Superstar who does not need a championship in order to get over.  He is having the best run he has ever had in WWE and is nowhere close to winning a belt.

Let's face it, he's doing just fine without one.

Of all the heels in WWE, Daniel Bryan, for me, is the one that consistently delivers on a high level and makes every segment he's in true "must see TV."  Bryan knows who he is, and what he has to do to get over.  

And, he does it every week.