Top 20 Best Heel Turns In Pro-Wrestling History

20- Tommaso Ciampa betrays Johnny Gargano - NXT, 2017

After losing a highly emotional ladder match as the popular #DIY tag team, Ciampa appeared to console his longtime partner, Johnny Gargano, on the ramp. In a moment of devastating shock, Ciampa turned on Gargano, driving him through the LED board, before delivering a brutal knee strike. This betrayal launched one of the most intense, critically acclaimed, and deeply personal rivalries in NXT history.

19- Kevin Owens turns on Chris Jericho (Festival of Friendship) - WWE, 2017

In a highly-anticipated segment, Chris Jericho threw a "Festival of Friendship" for his best friend, Universal Champion Kevin Owens. The ceremony, filled with bizarre gifts, culminated when Owens destroyed a priceless painting and viciously attacked Jericho, powerbombing him through a table. The emotional intensity of this sudden, brutal betrayal made it one of the most memorable and heartbreaking moments of the modern era.

18- Becky Lynch’s turn on Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam- WWE, 2018

Becky Lynch turning on Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2018 was a pivotal moment. After Charlotte won the SmackDown Women's Championship in their Triple Threat match, an enraged Becky attacked her. This wasn't a typical heel turn, as the crowd cheered loudly for the "betrayal." Becky, feeling betrayed by her friend stealing her opportunity, embraced an aggressive, anti-hero persona, cementing her rise as "The Man."

17- Dean Ambrose turns on Seth Rollins - WWE, 2018

On the same night Roman Reigns emotionally revealed his leukemia diagnosis and relinquished the Universal Championship, Ambrose and Rollins won the Tag Team Championship. Moments later, Ambrose brutally attacked Rollins, laying him out on the entrance ramp. The ill-timed and callous nature of the attack, coupled with the real-life sadness of the evening, made it one of the most shocking and darkly emotional betrayals.

16- Batista brutalises Rey Mysterio- WWE, 2009

Batista’s shocking heel turn on his friend, Rey Mysterio, occurred at Bragging Rights 2009. Frustrated after a World Heavyweight Championship Fatal-Four-Way match, where he felt betrayed, Batista brutally attacked Rey. He was driven by a selfish desire for the spotlight and the World Title, screaming the iconic line, "You're supposed to be my friend!" The vicious betrayal launched Batista into an acclaimed and intense run as a top villain.

15- Paul Bearer betrays The Undertaker - WWF, 1996

During a Boiler Room Brawl match against Mankind, Undertaker's longtime manager and friend, Paul Bearer, shockingly struck The Undertaker with the urn, siding with Mankind. Bearer's sudden betrayal was a deeply personal move that marked the first major, long-term rift in The Undertaker's career. It led to one of the most twisted and impactful feuds of the New Generation Era.

14- Shawn Michaels superkicks Marty Jannetty (The Barbershop Window) - WWF, 1992

On a segment of the Barbershop talk show, Shawn Michaels and his Rockers tag team partner, Marty Jannetty, seemingly reconciled. However, Michaels delivered a vicious Superkick to Jannetty and then dramatically threw his former partner through a glass window. This shocking, violent act immediately launched Michaels' legendary singles career, establishing him as "The Heartbreak Kid" and a top-tier heel.

13- Mark Henry's Retirement Ruse- WWE, 2013

Mark Henry’s fake retirement in 2013 is widely considered one of the best "swerves" in WWE history. Appearing on Raw in an iconic salmon-colored blazer, Henry delivered a deeply emotional speech, thanking the fans and mentioning his family, which convinced many, including John Cena and fellow wrestlers, that he was genuinely retiring. Cena entered the ring to offer congratulations, but Henry quickly revealed the ruse with a World's Strongest Slam on the champion. The phrase "I've got a lot left in the tank!" cemented his heel turn and set up a title match against Cena.

12- Randy Savage turns on Hulk Hogan (The Mega Powers Explode) - WWF, 1989

The friendship between the "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan crumbled due to Savage's growing paranoia over Hogan's relationship with Miss Elizabeth. Savage violently attacked Hogan backstage, hitting him with the WWF Championship and cementing his transformation from a jealous friend to a despicable heel. This dramatic betrayal resulted in a highly anticipated, personal main event at WrestleMania V.

11- Triple H betrays Daniel Bryan - WWE, 2013

After Daniel Bryan defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2013, special guest referee Triple H shockingly delivered a Pedigree to Bryan, allowing Randy Orton to cash in his Money in the Bank contract. This betrayal initiated The Authority storyline, cementing Triple H's power-hungry villain role and making Bryan the ultimate underdog face, a storyline that captivated the WWE Universe for months.

10- André the Giant turns on Hulk Hogan - WWF, 1987

On an episode of Piper's Pit, the beloved "Eighth Wonder of the World" shockingly challenged his best friend, WWF Champion Hulk Hogan, to a match at WrestleMania III. André, aligning with Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, tore Hogan's crucifix and shirt off his body, setting the stage for one of the most significant main events and rivalries in wrestling history, truly marking the end of their friendship.

9- Paul Heyman joins forces with Seth Rollins- WWE, 2025

The shocking Paul Heyman heel turn at WrestleMania 41 saw "The Wiseman" betray not only his longtime "Tribal Chief," Roman Reigns, but also his former client, CM Punk, during the Night 1 main event triple-threat match. In a stunning moment, Heyman first appeared to side with Reigns by attacking Punk, but then swiftly turned his focus to the "Head of the Table," delivering a final, unexpected betrayal. Heyman ultimately aligned himself with Seth Rollins, helping "The Visionary" secure the victory over both Reigns and Punk in a dramatic close to the night, signaling a complete change of allegiance.

8- CM Punks attacks The Rock- WWE, 2012

CM Punk’s infamous heel turn occurred at Raw 1000 in July 2012. After The Rock saved John Cena from Big Show, effectively stealing Punk's spotlight and announcing his title shot, the reigning WWE Champion snapped. Punk ambushed The Rock with a clothesline and the GTS, declaring he was tired of "part-timers" overshadowing him. This attack solidified Punk's shift to a callous, arrogant villain

7- The Rock joins The Corporation - WWF, 1998

At Survivor Series, The Rock won the WWF Championship by defeating Mankind in a finish that mimicked the Montreal Screwjob, revealing his alliance with Vince McMahon and The Corporation. The "People's Champion" transformed overnight into a suit-wearing, corporate sellout known as the "Corporate Champion." This heel turn was a pivotal moment in The Rock's career, elevating him to an elite main event star.

6- Roman Reigns aligns with Paul Heyman- WWE, 2020

Returning at SummerSlam, Reigns shocked fans by savagely attacking 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. Days later, he formally aligned with Paul Heyman, adopting a new, dominant, and ruthless persona. This long-awaited change from a forced babyface to the "Tribal Chief" heel immediately revitalized his career and launched the critically acclaimed Bloodline storyline, cementing him as the top star.

5- Stone Cold Steve Austin aligns with Mr. McMahon - WWF, 2001

At WrestleMania X-7, in the climax of the Attitude Era, the biggest anti-hero, Austin, shook hands with his sworn enemy, Vince McMahon, to defeat The Rock for the WWF Championship. The sight of the "Texas Rattlesnake" aligning with the devil himself was a shocking reversal of a three-year rivalry. While controversial, the betrayal was an unbelievable moment of desperation that defined the end of an era.

4- Seth Rollins betrays The Shield - WWE, 2014

Following a major victory over Evolution, Rollins brutally attacked his Shield brethren, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose, with a steel chair. Revealed as Triple H's "Plan B," the betrayal instantly established Rollins as a top heel, breaking up one of the most dominant and popular factions in modern history. It propelled his career to main-event status and set the stage for three of the industry's biggest stars.

3- John Cena sells his soul to The Rock- WWE, 2025

John Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber 2025 was a seismic, decades-long shift, stunning the WWE Universe. After winning the Chamber match, a desperate Cena betrayed Cody Rhodes and seemingly sold his soul to The Rock, aligning with "The Final Boss." Driven by a need to win a record 17th World Championship before retiring, Cena abandoned his virtuous "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" ethos to achieve his final career goal by any means necessary.

2- Bret Hart turns heel against Stone Cold Steve Austin- WWF, 1997

Fed up with the changing cultural landscape and the fans' declining support, the legendary Canadian hero, Bret Hart, snapped. After his infamous "I Quit" match with Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13, Hart refused to release the Sharpshooter and became a bitter, anti-American heel in the United States, while remaining a massive hero in Canada. This nuanced character shift gave rise to the Hart Foundation stable and created significant real-life tension.

1- Hulk Hogan joins the New World Order (nWo) - WCW, 1996

The ultimate babyface, Hogan, shocked the world at Bash at the Beach by dropping a leg drop on Randy Savage and embracing Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. His promo, famously telling the fans to "stick it," cemented his shift to "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan. This betrayal launched the nWo, fundamentally changing the wrestling landscape, sparking the Monday Night Wars, and proving that the biggest hero could become the biggest villain.