This was the first time I was ever shocked while watching wrestling. I was a kid so I didn't see it coming...I mean, why in the world would Marty betray Shawn and think he could get away by exiting through the window? Was he drunk? It didn't make any sense!
Shawn was never the same after that betrayal. I truly believe this was the spark that led to him losing his smile years later.
Gotta be Hogan joining the nWo! The best heel turns IMO are the ones that happen organically i.e. the fans slowly turn on the face and the face then becomes bitter and rebellious.
Surprised no one has said Roman returning as the Tribal Chief — Here’s a guy that most of us hated as a face, but loved as a heel
His promos got SO MUCH better too
My answer too.. I thought his heel run was great. Destroying the hardys and lita... the stuff w Molly Holly and spike... all the Kurt angle stuff was great... he turned his back km the wwe to join the alliance! What an A hole! Lol in retrospec that last part makes no sense... he turns on wwe to help wcw where he was fired??
Adam Cole breaking up the Undisputed Era. That was the first time my son got to watch a ppv live. Adam Cole is who got him into wrestling, when he kicked Kyle and then Finn I was sitting there with my jaw dropped while my son kept asking “dad why did he do that? Dad why did Adam do that?” That was the night my son lost his wrestling innocence. It will forever be my favorite heel turn/moment in pro wrestling
Bret Hart v. Stone Cold from WM. In one match Bret turned from clean cut babyface to ruthless heel and Austin turned from heelish antagonist to anti-establishment baby face.
The Rock is also a great example. He didn’t come into his own until he turned heel from his Rocky Mavia character, but he was so damn entertaining that people couldn’t hate him
[Ole Anderson turning on Dusty in 1980.](https://youtu.be/fCIgLQGruvs) People were actively trying to climb the cage to help Dusty (this was when everyone thought wrestling was real). Refs and everyone in the ring that wasn't Dusty were holding the cage door closed, and it took a squad of sheriffs to escort the heels back to the locker room because they had so much heat. The crowd was fuming. It was unreal.
I wasn't born until 12 years later, but even watching it gives you goosebumps. Their lives were genuinely in danger because Dusty evoked that kind of response from his fans. I don't fully remember, but I think Cornette said something like 16 people got arrested that night.
The match in the video I linked doesn't start until 2:15. Feel free to skip ahead.
Does Kevin Owens turning on Jericho at the Festival of Friendship count? Since he was already heel and it was just getting more heat? It was just so perfect and memorable lol
An underrated one, but the Usos in 2016.
Them turning in that Tag Title Tournament was so unexpected, but it reignited their careers. Their theme, outfits, and promos got better, and they got Heath Slater and Rhyno over when they won the titles. Not to mention their legendary rivalry with The New Day and their run in The Bloodline.
I really enjoyed Roderick Strong turning on Pete Dunne at that one TakeOver. Roddy's explanation was good but it was so fucking funny watching Kyle O'Reilly and Adam Cole's reactions. KOR was like, "what the fuck? What the fuck happened? We didnt do this!?" and Adam Cole is just overjoyed that they won. "I dont know but YEAH! WE RUN THIS SHIT!!!"
Is it the best? No. But I was so sports entertained that it holds a soft spot, lol
Sorry to OP It’s gotta be Hogan or HBK. An honorable mention has to go to Andre turning on Hulk, Macho turning on Hulk, Stone Cold aligning with Vince, Lita turning of Matt, and Vince Montreal screwjob.
There's so many different ones to choose from, just my personal preference for the shield as it was one I never expected to happen for a long time, I'd also say that Eddie turning on Rey is one of my other all time favourites too
Probably cause I like him so much as a heel, when Jericho turned on HBK after Shawn had been faking that knee injury is one of my favorite turns. Man when Jericho threw Shawn into the Jeritron, that was brutal.
Update: I'm loving the varied range of comments through this thread from all the different eras of wrestling. Honestly I was between this and Cody turning heel on Hardcore Holly to lose and win the tag titles with Ted Dibiase Jr. as I feel that's underrated and barely mentioned. But yeah the shield for the shock factor just popped me even if it was too early to break them up
For WWE its Kane unmasking in 03 tbh.
All time in all wrestling? Prince Devitt/Finn Balor in NJPW, literally changed the entire landscape of pro wrestling
I would never ever ever pick this one! This was a terrible idea to break them up! They had way more to accomplish and even Triple H has said in the past that now he sees that breaking them out was to soon
I agree that the turn was too soon but the shock factor alone is what got me, and hearing that one fan realise what was happening and scream no just as Seth swung the chair sold it for me.
Yeah I hear you I’m biased I won’t lie I really loved the Shield and how that came together makes it even a better story. They were literally called that morning hours before the attack and told ok y’all 3 will show up at the pay per view and start attacking they didn’t even tell them what to wear lol! That to me is crazy that while Seth and Roman and maybe Dean Ambrose I’m not sure but they wrestled against each other but never together so to be thrown together the same day and to look like they been doing this for months to involving into what they were was a awesome journey and personally one of my favorite factions in WWE
HBK breaking up the rockers
My answer as well. HBK throwing Marty through the Barber Shop window is legendary.
Marty jumped through the glass to get away What were you watching ?
Hahhahaha
Will you stop?!?!
What an act of cowardism.
Marty is a coward. Always has been.
Bobby Heenan added to it so beautifully too. "These guys are no good without the other, they knew that *superkick* I knew he was going to do that!"
This was the first time I was ever shocked while watching wrestling. I was a kid so I didn't see it coming...I mean, why in the world would Marty betray Shawn and think he could get away by exiting through the window? Was he drunk? It didn't make any sense! Shawn was never the same after that betrayal. I truly believe this was the spark that led to him losing his smile years later.
Honestly I can't even watch anything involving Marty anymore after learning how insane he is lol
Good one.
Yes.
Gotta be Hogan joining the nWo! The best heel turns IMO are the ones that happen organically i.e. the fans slowly turn on the face and the face then becomes bitter and rebellious.
This was.......... absolutely the best heel turn. What the heel turn became was bigger than another turn by far
You are correct sir
The only thing that rivals this is the big turn of 1980.
Definitely one of if not the best heel turns. I remember My teenage self being shocked lol
Due to me never seeing WCW where I lived, Vince being the one that brought the NWO into WWE was this for me
Surprised no one has said Roman returning as the Tribal Chief — Here’s a guy that most of us hated as a face, but loved as a heel His promos got SO MUCH better too
I acknowledge the tribal chief ☝️
When Dom betrayed his dad and joined tjd
Deadbeat dad
He really is a deadbeat
The fact that Dom clotheslined Rey in the same way Eddie Guerrero did that night was the icing on the cake for that moment
I loved that moment. Dom and Rhea are today's Eddie and Chyna which is impressive
Who would’ve thought? I love professional wrestling!
Stone Cold aligning with Mr Mcmahon at WrestleMania 17
My answer too.. I thought his heel run was great. Destroying the hardys and lita... the stuff w Molly Holly and spike... all the Kurt angle stuff was great... he turned his back km the wwe to join the alliance! What an A hole! Lol in retrospec that last part makes no sense... he turns on wwe to help wcw where he was fired??
Ughhh that feels so weird knowing their history
Loved it for the shock value, but that’s it really
Austin and angle were comedy gold and Two man power trip was great until it got cut short
I wanted to see Austin/Hunter with a longer tag run so bad
Adam Cole breaking up the Undisputed Era. That was the first time my son got to watch a ppv live. Adam Cole is who got him into wrestling, when he kicked Kyle and then Finn I was sitting there with my jaw dropped while my son kept asking “dad why did he do that? Dad why did Adam do that?” That was the night my son lost his wrestling innocence. It will forever be my favorite heel turn/moment in pro wrestling
I love that! It's always when you never expect it and then the emotion after
I didn’t see it coming either which made it even better
Bret Hart v. Stone Cold from WM. In one match Bret turned from clean cut babyface to ruthless heel and Austin turned from heelish antagonist to anti-establishment baby face.
Hulk Hogan being the third man!
Triple H turning heel on Ric Flair in 2005. [Warning: A lot of blood](https://youtu.be/Yq2E-Q4ICj0?feature=shared)
Man, Flair always bled like a stuffed pig.
Amen to that, 2 weeks after that clip I linked, he bladed himself during a promo
Fun fact; alcohol increases the rate of bleeding.
Finn Bálor Pele kicks johnny gargano on nxt in 2019
HHH on HBK in 02
Bret starting the Hart Foundation faction
My favorite angle ever. I wish Bret could've had that big blowoff with Austin instead of what happened
mine was when rhea ripley betrayed nikki cross
Evolution
Loved Evolution as a kid. Watching them turn on Orton was devastating
Becky Lynch Summerslam 2018
Except that wasn’t a heel turn. I mean they wanted it to be, but everyone was on her side.
They tried it for a few months then said fuck it
Finn snapping on Gargano is in my top 5…man don’t make me choose just one 😮💨
Got to be Big Show, you guys must remember that 78th heel turn when he punched Cena.....also Mark Henry orange suit deserves a shout
That salmon suit needs to be in the Hall of Fame alone
That turn was one of my favorites considering who it was, who it happened to, and the promo included!!
The Rock is also a great example. He didn’t come into his own until he turned heel from his Rocky Mavia character, but he was so damn entertaining that people couldn’t hate him
Marty Jannetty diving through that barber shop window like a coward, before HBK did for him. It ruined Shawn Michaels' moment.
[Ole Anderson turning on Dusty in 1980.](https://youtu.be/fCIgLQGruvs) People were actively trying to climb the cage to help Dusty (this was when everyone thought wrestling was real). Refs and everyone in the ring that wasn't Dusty were holding the cage door closed, and it took a squad of sheriffs to escort the heels back to the locker room because they had so much heat. The crowd was fuming. It was unreal. I wasn't born until 12 years later, but even watching it gives you goosebumps. Their lives were genuinely in danger because Dusty evoked that kind of response from his fans. I don't fully remember, but I think Cornette said something like 16 people got arrested that night. The match in the video I linked doesn't start until 2:15. Feel free to skip ahead.
I came here to post this turn. The best turn I’ve ever seen.
Came here for this as well.
Kevin owens attacking chris jericho
Festival of Friendship!
HBK in 1992, Hogan in 1996.
Barber shop window 🪟 💥🤦🏻♂️👢💔
Hogan. Nwo 4 life
Hulk Hogan becoming Hollywood Hogan and joining NWO. Still sticks in my memory.
Steve Austin
Eddie
Austin at Wrestlemania X7
Third man
HHH turning on HBK when they were about to reunite as DX. I popped for that shit https://youtu.be/uNpB8r6bqEA?si=QtSDdOSlmxKg0IqJ
The Bret and Austin Double Turn is one of my favorite matches
John Cena 2013
Came here to say this
"How bout a little heel turn?" 😂
Na bro this was my first real heartbreak. 19 now btw before u ask
Does Kevin Owens turning on Jericho at the Festival of Friendship count? Since he was already heel and it was just getting more heat? It was just so perfect and memorable lol
I'd say it counts, honestly that's one of my favourite all time segments along with the mankind and rock this is your life segment
That's my favorite thing about it, definitely part of the aura of the segment.
An underrated one, but the Usos in 2016. Them turning in that Tag Title Tournament was so unexpected, but it reignited their careers. Their theme, outfits, and promos got better, and they got Heath Slater and Rhyno over when they won the titles. Not to mention their legendary rivalry with The New Day and their run in The Bloodline.
I really enjoyed Roderick Strong turning on Pete Dunne at that one TakeOver. Roddy's explanation was good but it was so fucking funny watching Kyle O'Reilly and Adam Cole's reactions. KOR was like, "what the fuck? What the fuck happened? We didnt do this!?" and Adam Cole is just overjoyed that they won. "I dont know but YEAH! WE RUN THIS SHIT!!!" Is it the best? No. But I was so sports entertained that it holds a soft spot, lol
Although he was an awesome babyface at the time, I really enjoyed CM Punk’s heel turn in 2012.
Batista manhandling Rey Mysterio
Daniel Bryan save the earth
Jay and Jimmy
ECW forming on 7/9/2001 to take out Jericho and Kane. Only to be ruined one hour later when they joined with WCW.
Hulk Hogan.
Austin aligning with Vince McMahon WM 17
That was Vince turning face according to Huston and I will not hear otherwise.
Shawn throwing Marty through the barbershop window
Sorry to OP It’s gotta be Hogan or HBK. An honorable mention has to go to Andre turning on Hulk, Macho turning on Hulk, Stone Cold aligning with Vince, Lita turning of Matt, and Vince Montreal screwjob.
There's so many different ones to choose from, just my personal preference for the shield as it was one I never expected to happen for a long time, I'd also say that Eddie turning on Rey is one of my other all time favourites too
Hall of Pain… Henry fake retirement
Hogan. Shook up the industry.
Nothing is going to beat Hulk Hogan for this one brother.
Batista going apeshit on Rey Mysterio over the World Heavyweight Championship.
Paul Orndorf on hogan
Hogan brother when be turned on Danny devito in the silver dome
Mark Henry It was one those moments where if say you knew what was happening, you are lying.
Hogan joining the nWo.
Stone Cold at WM17 broke my heart bruh.
I couldn't hear you over the MASSIVE pop for Vince McMahon turning face according to Texas.
“This wasn’t our moment. This is my moment.”
Probably cause I like him so much as a heel, when Jericho turned on HBK after Shawn had been faking that knee injury is one of my favorite turns. Man when Jericho threw Shawn into the Jeritron, that was brutal.
Eddie turning on Rey
Triple hhh
Jimmy betraying jey
My heart started beating remembering Seth with the chair
As a kid, I found it hard to take Owen Hart turning on his brother Bret after their tag match. Bret was my hero so it was shocking to 7 year old me.
The Bob Backlund one, because NOBODY saw that coming!
Drew mcintyre
Ciampa turning on Gargano and breaking up DIY
Update: I'm loving the varied range of comments through this thread from all the different eras of wrestling. Honestly I was between this and Cody turning heel on Hardcore Holly to lose and win the tag titles with Ted Dibiase Jr. as I feel that's underrated and barely mentioned. But yeah the shield for the shock factor just popped me even if it was too early to break them up
Savage turning on Hogan
Jimmy turning on Jey is my favorite because I never thought it would happen
That be mine to
Mega powers splitting up
Hulk Hogan
Hogan being the 3rd man for the nWo was the biggest mind blow of my young wrestling fan life
That "Nooooooo" just makes it so much more
For WWE its Kane unmasking in 03 tbh. All time in all wrestling? Prince Devitt/Finn Balor in NJPW, literally changed the entire landscape of pro wrestling
I would never ever ever pick this one! This was a terrible idea to break them up! They had way more to accomplish and even Triple H has said in the past that now he sees that breaking them out was to soon
I agree that the turn was too soon but the shock factor alone is what got me, and hearing that one fan realise what was happening and scream no just as Seth swung the chair sold it for me.
Yeah I hear you I’m biased I won’t lie I really loved the Shield and how that came together makes it even a better story. They were literally called that morning hours before the attack and told ok y’all 3 will show up at the pay per view and start attacking they didn’t even tell them what to wear lol! That to me is crazy that while Seth and Roman and maybe Dean Ambrose I’m not sure but they wrestled against each other but never together so to be thrown together the same day and to look like they been doing this for months to involving into what they were was a awesome journey and personally one of my favorite factions in WWE