Top 10 Shocking WWE Heel Turns

After famously putting his thumb down on Triple H in 2005 and igniting a feud with his former Evolution teammate, Batista enjoyed a long reign as the companys hero and developed into one of WWEs main event stars. During that time, The Animal teamed up with his best friend, Rey Mysterio, and even picked up the WWE Tag Team Championship. At 2009s event Bragging Rights, the duo faced off in a fatal four-way for the World Heavyweight Championship. Their relationship could survive anything, even Batista losing the title after Mysterio broke up his pin on the Undertaker, right? Nope. After the match, he told Mysterio he was going to rip his head off and viciously attacked him, leaving fans heartbroken.

In the early 2010s, there was perhaps no bigger face in WWE than CM Punk. After the infamous Pipebomb promo, he rose rapidly up the hero ranks after feuding with John Cena, resulting in Punk winning the WWE Championship. And thenWWE Raw 1000 happened. After the Big Show interrupted Punks title defense against Cena, The Rock, who was set to face the winner at the Royal Rumble, came to the ring to defend Cena. However, just as he was set to lay the Peoples Elbow down, Punk dove in with a lariat on him. Boos rained down on him as their beloved hero was taken out. The final nail in Punks face run was hitting Rock with the G.T.S.

2014s NXT TakeOver: R Evolution was special for 2 reasons. Firstly, Kevin Owens was making his in-ring debut for the brand. Secondly, Sami Zayn was taking on Adrian Neville for the NXT Championship. However, if he lost, Zayn had to leave NXT. So, imagine everyones joy when he beat Neville. Owens even came to the ring to celebrate with his real-life BFF. The show was over as the corner title card came upand then, it wasnt. Despite the two having a long history in Ring of Honor, no one expected Owens to viciously attack Zayn as he did. After tossing him to the floor, causing gasps to ring through the arena, Owens powerbombed Zayn on the rings apron, setting off his iconic NXT heel run.

Born with a goofy gospel gimmick, the New Day found a new lease on life after leaning into the power of positivity, turning them into fan favorites. The team of Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E took the tag team division by storm and the world title scene, too, when Kingston became the WWE Champion in 2019, as did Big E in 2021. However, tragedy struck in 2022 when E broke his neck in the ring, seemingly ending his wrestling career. Woods and Kingston kept the New Day going with E there in spirit. But in 2024, that changed. While celebrating their 10-year anniversary, Woods and Kingston verbally attacked E and kicked him from the group. Fans will never get over this betrayal.

After struggling to find his feet in the WWE, Mark Henry became a monster heel in the late 2000s, leading to him winning the World Heavyweight Championship. However, in 2013, after a series of injuries, rumors emerged he was set to retire. Any heel that prematurely has to hang up their boots instantly becomes a face. Dressed in a salmon blazer, Henry gave a tearful speech to the WWE universe, causing even John Cena to cry as he said his goodbyes. Then, Henry picked up Cena and did the Worlds Strongest Slam on him, immediately demonstrating the retirement was a ruse. This masterful performance not only turned Henry into a star, but it also made him hugely hated due to successfully duping everyone.

While dressed in army gear, there was nothing more red, white, and blue than Sgt. Slaughter. Beyond Hulk Hogan, he was the American hero in the WWE during the 80s, battling villainous foreign wrestlers like the Iron Sheik. However, everything changed in 1990 when he did what many thought was impossible. With the backdrop of the Gulf War on the horizon, Slaughter betrayed the US, put his support behind Iraq, and teamed up with General Adnan and later the Iron Sheik. Immediately, he was the most hated wrestler, not just in WWE but the entire world. Even away from the ring, Slaughter even had to wear a bullet-proof vest due to threats on his life.

In 2013, one of WWEs most hated factions formed when The Authority came together. Soon after, the Shield joined them as enforcers. Despite this, they were seen as super cool. With Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns, the trio would later turn on The Authority, launching an epic feud. At 2014s Payback, the Shield defeated a reunited Evolution, who represented the Authority. The next night, hope seemed lost for Triple H when Batista quit. However, when he mentioned a plan b, confusion quickly morphed into fury for the fans. Rollins battered his Shield teammates with a chair, especially Ambrose, before joining Triple H. Fans were devastated, some even refusing to forgive him over a decade later.

In a double-turn at 1997s WrestleMania 13, Steve Austin became face as Brett Hart turned heel. From there, the Texas Rattlesnake became one of the biggest stars to grace the industry, as his anti-authority behavior and feud with Vince McMahon became legendary. In 2001, Austin was set to take on his long-time rival, The Rock, for the then-named WWF Championship at WrestleMania X-Seven. The promo package alone with Limp Bizkit's My Way was iconic enough, but this match was special. With Austin getting more and more desperate, things took a turn when McMahon went to the ring. Shockingly, he helped Stone Cold to destroy The Rock and win the title, sealed with a handshake that reverberated through the industry.

In 1983, Hulk Hogan returned to the then-named WWF as a babyface, igniting Hulkamania and becoming one of wrestlings biggest stars, capturing the hearts and minds of adults and kids alike. By 1996, Hogan, then at WCW, was still the same character people loved. However, his legacy was forever altered at Bash at the Beach. In the main event, The Outsiders, with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, took part in a 6-man tag, with them having a mystery third person. As the match got out of hand, Hogan came to the ring. While fans cheered, expecting him to battle these non-WCW brutes, Hogan attacked Randy Savage. Hogan laid into the crowd during his promo as the 3 formed the New World Order, changing the industry.

Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, a mantra that John Cena lived and breathed for 2 decades, becoming perhaps the greatest wrestler to get into the ring. Both in and out of the squared circle, Cena was an incredible role model. While some fans had begged for another heel run from him, it never came to pass. It became even more unlikely when Cena announced his farewell tour in 2024. At 2025s Elimination Chamber: Toronto, Cena won the main event, earning an Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. Yet, with the villainous Rock there, he made a gesture that unlocked something in Cena as he attacked Rhodes, leaving fans with their jaws on the floor as Super Cena became Satan Cena.

Are there any other shocking WWE heel turns that we missed in the video? Let us know below!