Top 10 Wrestlers Who Faced the Most Betrayals in Wrestling History
Roman Reigns
10. Ric Flair
Ric Flair may be remembered as one of wrestling’s greatest manipulators, but throughout his career, he also found himself on the receiving end of some savage betrayals. Several of these double-crosses escalated into graphic beatdowns, reinforcing how brutal the fallout could be when alliances crumbled. Even when the attack happened off-screen, the strength of the storytelling ensured the angle still resonated with audiences. One of the most impactful betrayals came from within his own family when Charlotte Flair turned her back on her father. The moment generated powerful reactions, largely due to Ric Flair’s emotional selling, reminding fans that even “The Nature Boy” wasn’t immune to heartbreak.
9. John Cena
Given how long John Cena stayed on top of WWE, it was almost inevitable that betrayal followed him throughout his career. As the company’s top guy, Cena became a prime target for wrestlers looking to elevate themselves. Even when alliances were formed, everyone involved knew that feuding with Cena carried more long-term benefits than standing beside him. These betrayals weren’t always born from hatred—sometimes they were strategic. Wrestlers understood that turning on Cena was often the fastest route to relevance. One of the most unique betrayals came from outside the wrestling world when Jon Stewart interfered at SummerSlam 2015 to prevent Cena from breaking Ric Flair’s 16-time world championship record, proving that Cena’s enemies came from unexpected places.
8. Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels’ career offers proof that trust rarely survives in wrestling. Betrayed by two of his closest allies—Diesel and Triple H—HBK learned firsthand that friendships in the business often have an expiration date. His rivalry with Chris Jericho alone featured multiple memorable backstabs. Their first feud culminated in an epic match that ended with a brief double cross, while their legendary second rivalry escalated dramatically after Jericho smashed Michaels’ head through the Jeritron. Beyond Jericho, Michaels was turned on by a wide range of figures, from Sid to Mike Tyson, reinforcing the idea that HBK could never truly let his guard down.
7. Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins was responsible for one of wrestling’s most shocking betrayals when he ended The Shield to align himself with Triple H in 2014. However, his career later became a lesson in poetic justice. Rollins eventually found himself betrayed in one of the most emotionally charged moments imaginable—by the very man he had once double-crossed. His time as Triple H’s golden boy within The Authority created resentment among other faction members, leading to rivalries fueled by betrayal. These tensions, combined with a devastating injury, became major catalysts for Triple H ultimately turning on Rollins in 2016. Later in his career, after reinventing himself as a cult-like leader, Rollins once again suffered betrayal when his own disciple, Murphy, turned against him.
6. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho’s career is filled with betrayal so frequent that it almost mirrors the themes of his entrance music, Judas. One of the most famously executed betrayals came during the “Festival of Friendship,” a moment that combined heartbreak with humiliation and became an instant classic. Another painful backstab came at WrestleMania 20, when Jericho was left at the altar by Trish Stratus. These moments weren’t just physical betrayals but were emotional turning points that shaped Y2J's character and fueled some of the most compelling feuds of his career.
5. Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan was betrayed in dramatic fashion on multiple occasions, with those moments helping set up three of the greatest feuds of the 1980s. What made these betrayals resonate was the history Hogan shared with the men who turned on him, adding layers of emotional weight to each storyline. Not every betrayal lived up to its potential, however. One notable example was Hogan’s feud with Shawn Michaels in 2005. While the initial turn and segments were compelling, the rivalry failed to deliver in the ring, ending in what became a one-off, joke-like match instead of a meaningful rematch.
4. Kane
Despite being portrayed as a terrifying and destructive force, Kane consistently found himself emotionally and physically betrayed throughout his career. Even as a character known for violence, The Big Red Machine managed to earn sympathy whenever he was double-crossed by X-Pac. Although Kane was betrayed frequently, he often compensated by delivering brutal revenge to those who wronged him. This cycle of betrayal and retribution became a defining trait of his character, reinforcing his status as both victim and monster.
3. Sting
For most of his career, Sting was one of wrestling’s most trusted babyfaces. Fans believed in him, but that trust became his greatest weakness. Sting was far too willing to believe in others, leaving him vulnerable to countless betrayals. Eventually, Sting felt betrayed by an entire promotion, leading him to walk out on WCW in 1996. When he returned as the Crow, his character reflected that history. He stood alone, often giving wrestlers free opportunities to attack him—an ultimate test of trust. This transformation wasn’t just character evolution but was a direct response to years of betrayal and disillusionment.
2. Roman Reigns
Every betrayal involving Roman Reigns sent shockwaves through the wrestling world. Each story was carefully built, and the eventual double-cross produced iconic moments that fans will remember forever. Whether it was a superkick by Jey Uso, a chair shot to the back by Seth Rollins, a slow-burning storyline involving Sami Zayn and The Usos, or a heartfelt double turn by Paul Heyman at WrestleMania 41, watching Reigns fall was pure cinema. The emotional weight and visual impact of these moments elevated both The OTC and the stories surrounding him.
1. Rey Mysterio
No wrestler has been betrayed in as many personal and emotional ways as Rey Mysterio. Time and again, he was blindsided by steel chairs, clotheslines, and attacks from behind. Beyond the physical punishment, Mysterio suffered deeper betrayals from people he loved and trusted. These storylines produced intensely emotional angles that resonated with fans. Double-crossing a beloved babyface is bad enough, but Rey endured betrayal from those closest to him multiple times. That repeated heartbreak earned him unmatched sympathy from the audience and solidified his place as wrestling’s most backstabbed superstar.
