8 WWE Heels...who Were Actually Total Babyfaces

Let's face it: the pro-wrestling industry has a pretty warped morality, and this often comes across in the on-screen product. 

Hey, the biggest babyface of the last 15 years, Steve Austin, got over massively by being a drunken, foul-mouthed sociopath. CM Punk, on the other hand, was a much-despised heel because he truthfully and courageously told people they needed to stop ruining their lives through drinks and pills (the nerve!).   

Indeed, over the years there have been some wrestlers that have been presented as the heels and horribly vilified...simply for acting like decent human beings. You think these guys were bad? No, they were simply misunderstood.

Don't believe me? Let's take a look.

Molly Holly

In 2002, WWE's women's division was going through a resurgence of sorts. Credible and hard-working performers like Victoria, Jazz and Molly Holly were being pushed as dominant forces in the division, and fitness model-turned-wrestler Trish Stratus was also improving at a rapid rate. What had once been a tawdry sideshow was now turning into a highlight of WWE programming.

Of course, things suddenly become a whole lot more tasteless in June 2002.

Molly, at that point the women's champion and arguably best wrestler in the division, was far different from the typical divas: she relied on her wrestling prowess more than sex appeal, sold herself as serious athletic competitor, didn't wear skimpy clothing and even expressed disdain over the frequent bikini contests that took place on WWE television at the time.

In response to her refreshing approach, her challenger Trish then came up with a rather twisted way to mess with her frequent foe: in numerous interviews and promos she started mocking the decidedly not-fat Molly for being a “prude” and having a “big butt,” and encouraged fans to chant degrading and hurtful things at Molly regarding her weight.

To make matters worse, WWE commentator Jerry Lawler also joined in, and whenever Molly appeared on-screen would tell one unfunny, degrading joke after another.

But I know what you're thinking: at least WWE got to get a good anti-bullying message across and have the brave babyface Molly persevere through the insults and come out on top?

Well, get this: Trish was supposed to be the babyface and Molly was supposed to be the heel!

Yes, in the wacky world of WWE, not being a size zero and being reluctant to dress and act like a stripper makes you the bad guy, and bitchily hurling insults at another woman for her weight makes you the beloved babyface.

Of course, WWE was again returned to this area in 2009, in a risible storyline with Laycool and Mickie James. Although at least this time, when Michelle and Layla were throwing mean insults at Mickie about her figure, they were treated as the heels and presented as being wholly in the wrong.

Vince McMahon

Okay, imagine this.

You're an extremely hard-working business man who has built a million-dollar company from practically scratch. It has not been easy: long, arduous hours, very little sleep, constant traveling and virtually no time for family commitments. But nonetheless, you persevered and are now running an extremely well-organized, respectable company.

But then, one day, a new employee starts. He disrespects you. He doesn't have any respect for anyone, in fact. He refuses to obey the dress code and shows up to work in the most casual attire possible. He swears like a drunken sailor. He gets arrested. He comes to work intoxicated on numerous occasions. He usually drinks while on the job, too. He generally runs amok throughout the entire company with his dangerous, destructive behaviour.

Rather than firing this violent alcoholic right away, like most employers would, you make some attempts to compromise. Oh, you've tried to reason with him in a calm and polite manner. Tried to talk him into wearing a suit and maybe swearing and drinking less (you know, like should happen in any normal workplace). Maybe get him to attend that Human Resources meeting and find out about proper workplace etiquette (giving other workers the finger: a definite no).

The result?

He physically assaults you. And this is only the beginning. As time goes on, not only do more brutal beatings follow, but this deranged fiend embarrassingly hoses you and other high ranking employees down with beer, laughing like a maniac while he does it. To make matters worse, he attacks your beloved son on several occasions, too.

And on one frightening occasion, toting a gun, he even takes you hostage on national television and threatens to shoot you in the head!

Oh, the police make some half-hearted attempts to arrest him, but ultimately don't take the situation very seriously. You're left to try and get rid of the guy on your own and even fight him on PPV—very brave considering you are a middle-aged man with no prior experience at combat sports—and while you are valiantly fighting for your life, you are horribly vilified by everyone around you and, stunningly, you find yourself being labelled the bad guy.

I know what you're thinking.

This poor guy, right? Being victimized by this out-of-control employee?

Well, as most know, during the famous Austin/McMahon feud, Steve Austin was the most beloved babyface in WWE history and Vince McMahon was the evil heel who was totally in the wrong. Even though, going by his violent on-screen track record, Austin really was the worst employee in the history of the entire world and Vince was right to be mad at his out-of-control behaviour.

Chavo Guerrero

In August of 2006, Chavo Guerrero started feuding with Rey Mysterio after accusing Rey of ruthlessly aiding his career by exploiting the Guerrero name, in the aftermath of Eddie Guererro's death in November of 2005.

Oh, that Chavo. What a despicable heel, right?

Except...he was exactly right. Rey had spent most the past year using Eddie's name to get himself over with the fans and into the Smackdown main event scene. Indeed, in early 2006 it became a running joke to fans how much Rey dedicated everything he did “to Eddie.” Chavo was right to be outraged: Rey was out of line. 

Later, Eddie's widow, Vickie, got involved in the feud too and quickly sided with Chavo, feeling he was right about Rey's awful behaviour, somehow making her a heel, too.

So, yes: Guerrero's nephew and widow, the two people closest to Eddie, now believed Rey to be in the wrong and exploiting the name of their dead loved one. Rey's actions since Eddie died backs them up fully and it's clear they are justified in their hatred of him. 

But somehow Rey is still the good guy here?

Many speculated that this angle was WWE's way of dealing with all the criticism aimed at them over writing Guerrero's death so heavily into the storyline; hence, why Rey (possibly representing WWE) was the complete babyface here, and Chavo and Vickie (the critics?), slamming Rey for using someone's death to make himself money, were the evil heels.

CM Punk

The summer of 2009 saw Jeff Hardy take on CM Punk in a feud, one that brought up Jeff's real-life struggles with alcohol and drugs and saw Punk call attention to his own straight-edge lifestyle (in his own life, Punk does not drink, smoke or take drugs).

Punk officially turned heel on Jeff after cashing in his Money in the Bank title shot at April's Extreme Rules PPV. From that point on, the two were embroiled in a deeply personal grudge feud that saw Punk chastise the massively popular Hardy for setting a poor example for his younger, impressionable fans with his reckless behaviour and rampant drug use (by the time the two were feuding, Jeff had officially failed two WWE drug tests and had two strikes against him).

Punk would try to reason with Jeff on Smackdown, saying “Why don't you try living a clean lifestyle? Jeff, you've got two strikes. I've got no strikes!”

Hey, considering how many lives in wrestling have been lost or ruined due to drug abuse in wrestling, this was an extremely good point.

Inexplicably, though, Punk was presented by WWE as the clear heel here, and the announcers Jim Ross and Michael Cole would slam Punk on commentary, calling him “preachy” and accusing him of “lecturing everyone.”

The fans vilified Punk, too. His courageous calls to the WWE fans to reject alcohol or pills were almost always met with vociferous boos by fans in the arena. Gee, trying to get people to avoid deadly habits, what a dastardly villain!

Sure, Punk could be holier-than-thou at times, but that was simply because he believed passionately in what he was saying. That he was the heel for these actions might prove once and for all how truly wacky and out-of-touch folks in the WWE Universe are.

So what about Jeff, our heroic babyface, and his reaction to all this? Was he deeply remorseful about his past and acknowledge to the fans that they needed to heed Punk's warnings?

Er, no.

Hardy, for his part, was surly, defensive and generally unapologetic for his past behaviour. “I haven't failed a drug test in a year,” he bragged, during a promo on Smackdown in July, like it was one of the most amazing accomplishments ever. He also proudly announced: “I have never been to rehab, I always healed myself!”

Yes, Jeff thought refusing to go to rehab and get the help he desperately needed made him a hero.

Punk rightly saw through the hypocrisy of all this and pointed out: “Jeff, you'll lose to me and fall back into your old vices, it's a vicious cycle. All these kids that love you...are going to see their hero become just another statistic.”

Stubborn as ever, Jeff refused to listen and scoffed: “Sorry, I'm not as perfect as you.”

Already think that Punk is the clear-cut face here?

It gets better: Just two weeks after Hardy lost a Leaves Town Match, he was arrested for drug trafficking by police in North Carolina, after a suspicious parcel and traces of drugs were found all over his home. The charges, which are still ongoing, could see Jeff put away for as much as five years.

More recently, Jeff greatly embarrassed himself, and everyone in TNA, when he showed up at the company's Victory Road PPV intoxicated.

Turns out Punk was right all along. Jeff was setting a terrible example for his younger fans and, by refusing to admit and apologise for his actions, was setting himself up to fall off the wagon yet again. 

Punk really was the good guy in this whole sorry saga.

Alberto Del Rio

As most know, Alberto Del Rio cashed in his Money in the Bank title shot at Summerslam 2011 and won the world title, after Kevin Nash ran in and took out new champion, CM Punk.

Rather than being despicable or villainous, it seems Del Rio was simply being opportunistic. Indeed, on the following night's Raw, CM Punk admitted he bore no ill will towards Del Rio, stating he had done the exact same thing in the past and couldn't judge Del Rio for his actions.

Not that any of this stopped John Cena.

After Del Rio's successful title defence against Rey Mysterio, Cena stormed to the ring (less to rescue Rey who was getting a post-match beat-down, but more to just yell at Del Rio and act all self-righteous).

An irate Cena screamed about Del Rio's dastardly actions the previous evening (even though, as noted, Punk, who had more reason to be upset than Cena, wasn't even that angry about it).

Furthermore, an obnoxious Cena labelled Del Rio a coward who would weasel out of defending the belt: “Sooner of later, you will have to defend that championship!” thundered Cena.

 Er, John. He just defended the title a few minutes earlier and won clean.

And now poor Alberto also has to hear lectures about how dishonourable he is from John Cena, a man who has become famous for never keeping his word or adhering to match stipulations.

Indeed, this is the same guy who freely admitted to going back on his word, after agreeing to the stipulation that he would be fired if he cost Wade Barrett the title at Survivor Series.

If this wasn't enough, he also attempted to weasel out of the promise he would leave the company (again) if he lost at Money in the Bank.

Who is this guy to preach to anyone else about morality or acting honourable?

Poor Alberto. I reckon he's just misunderstood.

Lita

In early 2005 a real-life scandal blew up in WWE, when it was revealed that Amy “Lita” Dumas had been cheating on her long-term boyfriend, Matt Hardy, with fellow superstar Adam "Edge" Copeland—and had left Matt to pursue a relationship with the “Rated R Superstar.”

This revelation was enough to turn the previously popular babyface Lita into a full-blown heel, as she was greeted with massive boos and jeers by audiences in the arena wherever she went. Indeed, she never regained her popularity and her image was tainted in the eyes of fans, seemingly forever.

So, you may ask, why was Lita actually a face in all this, exactly?

Well, we have to remember that 2005 was a time before social media had truly taken off (YouTube blew up about a year later and Facebook or Twitter didn't even exist).

Essentially, this was before Matt Hardy started using them all the time and embarrassing himself...all the time. Back in 2005, we still believed Matt to be a nice, normal guy that Lita was crazy to cheat on and dump.

But with his incessant and increasingly unhinged behaviour on YouTube/Twitter, we've seen the real Matt Hardy: an extremely unstable, overbearing and deeply obnoxious young man who has no problem being filmed tasering his girlfriend or giving us daily updates on the most intricate details of his intestinal system. The guy isn't all there (putting it mildly).

Looking at him in this light, it's really no surprise Lita decided to leave. Could anyone have put up ith him?

And I'm willing to bet that had fans seen a glimpse of this Matt Hardy, rather than vilifying her, they'd have vociferously cheered Lita for getting out of that relationship and seen her as a hero to women everywhere.

Kane

Late last year, Smackdown's main event scene was blighted by a truly horrendous storyline during which, in the build up to their PPV match, Edge kidnapped Kane's father, Paul Bearer, to psychologically terrorize and torture his opponent.

Badly acted, poorly written and just downright bizarre in places, this atrocious angle was made worse by WWE writers having some decidedly strange ideas about good vs. evil.

Yes, Edge—the man who abducted and held a helpless old man with fragile health hostage, tied him up, dragged him from city to city, filmed himself on a weekly basis as he mentally and emotionally tortured poor Paul and then came out to gloat about it to an extremely distraught Kane on television—was supposed to be the virtuous babyface here.

To make matters worse, the angle culminated in Edge tricking Kane into murdering his own father, live on Smackdown. Yes, cold-bloodedly arranging someone's murder is now babyface behaviour (and I thought Austin got away with a lot!). 

Edge excused his laundry list of crimes by making a few passing remarks on television about Kane “finally getting a taste of his own medicine” after using some shady psychological tactics of his own over the years.

While Kane was hardly wholly innocent, did that really excuse Edge's monstrous behaviour? I don't think so.

Randy Savage

One thing becomes abundantly clear after watching some old WWF footage of Hulk Hogan in the late '80s, when he was at his zenith as a massively popular star: this guy is an absolutely terrible babyface character. He's overbearing, obnoxious, obsessed with being the centre of attention and constantly being champion.

No wonder all his tag team partners, like Andre the Giant and Randy Savage, turned on him throughout the 1980s. This guy just couldn't keep his friends, and there's a reason for that—he's just incredibly annoying to be around. 

Indeed, Savage is the best example of this. In 1987, Hogan formed the famous Mega Powers tag team with Randy, who was at that point being managed by Miss Elizabeth, who was acknowledged in the storylines as his girlfriend. It was even mentioned on-screen a few times that Savage was (like in real-life) very protective of Elizabeth.

So, knowing this, what does our beloved babyface Hogan do? Does he keep a respectful distance from his new friend's girl?

Er, no.

He proceeds to start hanging out with Liz and flirting with her all the time, make every smutty, double entendre joke he can think of about her and, eventually, cruelly taunt Savage about it on national television (“Underneath her skirt is her secret weapon!” he gloated to Savage in one heated interview).

Let's make it clear: an increasingly outraged Savage wasn’t simply being paranoid, like was claimed: Hulk actually was trying to steal his girlfriend!

Savage was driven mad by all this and, unsurprisingly, turned on his tag team partner in the end.

But hey, who wouldn't have turned on Hogan, considering the circumstances?

But somehow when Savage does it he's the bad guy and Hulk is still the holier-than-thou good guy.

What!?