10 Babyface Wrestlers Who Became Must-See TV After Turning Heel

John Cena

10. Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes, currently one of WWE's biggest babyfaces, had a pivotal career phase on the independent circuit and in AEW where his "heel" persona generated significant interest. His character evolved into an arrogant, entitled figure, creating a polarizing dynamic with fans that many found compelling. This run demonstrated his versatility and ability to elicit strong audience reactions, which for a time made him one of the most talked-about, complex characters in wrestling. While recent speculation about a 2024/2025 WWE heel turn was a misdirection, his past work proves his effectiveness in a villainous role.

9. Honky Tonk Man

Roy Wayne Farris's initial babyface Elvis impersonator gimmick in the WWF was a failure. His transition to a cocky, cowardly heel transformed his career. His 454-day reign as Intercontinental Champion was the longest in history for 35 years until Gunther surpassed it in September 2023. The character's cowardly tactics and constant escape with the title generated immense heat, leading to a massive pop when the Ultimate Warrior finally defeated him in 31 seconds at SummerSlam 1988.

8. Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero's "Latino Heat" gimmick, characterized by the phrase "I Lie! I Cheat! I Steal!", was at its most entertaining during his heel runs, even when fans organically began cheering him. His ability to blend incredible in-ring skill with a mischievous, cheating persona made him a beloved villain. He and his nephew Chavo, as Los Guerreros, won the WWE Tag Team Championship in 2002, fully embracing their deceptive characters to significant success on the SmackDown brand.

7. Dominik Mysterio

Dominik Mysterio's career lacked direction as a babyface until his definitive heel turn at Clash at the Castle on September 3, 2022, when he attacked both Edge and his father, Rey Mysterio. This move allowed him to shed his father's shadow and become "Dirty Dom," an arrogant, entitled villain who became one of the most reviled and effective heels in WWE. He has successfully weaponized the crowd's hatred, becoming a top star within The Judgment Day faction and even winning the Intercontinental Championship for a 204-day reign, which ended in November 2025.

6. Chris Jericho

While a popular babyface, Chris Jericho's most acclaimed work often comes from his ability to reinvent himself as a heel. His 2008 character change, moving from the witty "Y2J" to a serious, suit-wearing, and aggressive heel, produced one of the best feuds of the year with Shawn Michaels and revitalized the Intercontinental title's prestige. This run cemented his legacy as a master of character evolution, a trait he has continued with various heel personas in AEW.

5. Ricochet

Ricochet is a phenomenal high-flying babyface, but his character work has often been criticized for lacking depth. His occasional heel turns, particularly during his time on the independent circuit and early in his WWE run, allowed him to showcase an arrogant, self-obsessed side that many felt added more dimension to his persona. Though he primarily remains a fan-favorite, this darker edge offered a glimpse of a more compelling character who was more than just his athletic moves.

4. The Sandman

The Sandman was synonymous with ECW as an iconic, beer-drinking babyface. His transition to a more violent, sadistic heel persona in a promotion built on extremity was notable for its shock value and commitment to a darker character. This turn amplified the brutality of his feuds and added an element of unpredictability that pushed the boundaries of the ECW product, providing fresh and intense storylines.

3. John Cena

For nearly a decade, John Cena was the company's unwavering, merchandise-moving babyface hero, a role that divided the fanbase. In a surprising storyline development in 2025, after a title loss at WrestleMania 41, Cena adopted a definitive heel character, blaming the fans for his failure and promising to "ruin wrestling". This highly anticipated heel run, which saw him win the Intercontinental title in November 2025, has been viewed as a refreshing new chapter that showcased his range beyond the restrictive "never give up" mantra.

2. Owen Hart

Owen Hart was a talented babyface tag team partner to his brother Bret, but his heel turn in the mid-90s unlocked his greatest potential. After feeling overshadowed, he adopted the "King of Harts" persona: a brilliant, obnoxious, and whiny villain who claimed he was the best and demanded respect. This run provided the best work of his career, generating immense heat and leading to classic feuds with his brother that were both personal and entertaining.

1. The Rock

Rocky Maivia was an uncharismatic babyface met with negative chants like "Die Rocky Die" early in his career. His heel turn in 1997, where he joined The Nation of Domination and began referring to himself in the third person, was a revolutionary transformation. This shift unleashed his natural charisma, leading to the arrogant, trash-talking "The Rock" persona. His masterful heel work was so entertaining that it quickly launched him to superstardom during the Attitude Era, proving that a heel character was his true calling.