10 Most Shocking Heel Turns In WWE

Happy Fourth of July to all of Cultaholic's American readers and fans!

And the same to all the weirdos from elsewhere who celebrate the holiday too, for whatever reason, I guess...

Wrestling and Independence Day have a lot of history, from the birth of War Games at the Great American Bash, to Lex Luger slamming Yokozuna on the USS Intrepid and a whole load of patriotic shenanigans before, after and in-between.

Hell, it's also Barry Windham's birthday, so 'happy birthday' to the former Four Horseman.

The Fourth of July is also the day that Monday Night Raw happened to land on back in 2005. A relatively restrained affair considering the date, the show at least ended with a great hook, as Shawn Michaels turned heel for the first time since his 2002 comeback, dropping tag partner Hulk Hogan with a Sweet Chin Music after they had won their match against Kurt Angle and Carlito.

It was unforeseen by just about everyone, as Michaels had long expressed a desire to remain a babyface in light of his Born-Again ways and dedication to living a virtuous life.

With a programme and blockbuster pay-per-view main event with the legendary Hulkster dangled in front of him, the Showstopper agree to temporarily turn to the dark side, which began with him smacking terrible Terry in his chops with that magic right boot of his.

Heel turns, when done well, can be a thing of beauty, and they can be at their most effective when nobody suspects they will happen.

So light some fireworks, grab a hot dog and join me as I look back at ten of the most shocking heel turns in WWE history.

And if you're reading this on a day other than the Fourth of July, light some fireworks and eat a hot dog anyway! Because why the hell shouldn't you?

10. Rock Gets Punk'd

WWE.com

Raw 1,000 was a spectacular occasion that really had to be capped off by something truly special.

In the show's main event, John Cena cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase and took on CM Punk for the WWE Title.

The Straight-Edge Superstar had held the title for an age and was on a roll as one of the top babyfaces in the company. The two had an exciting, back-and-forth match, as they tended to do, with both men looking like they could walk away as champ.

Cue a referee bump and then Big Show, slinking out to (eventually) cause the disqualification, giving Cena the victory but ensuring that Punk retained the gold.

That was the signal for The Rock to sprint out, take down the World's Largest Candy Ass and set him up for a People's Elbow.

As he went to complete the move, however, Punk re-entered the ring and blindsided The Great One with a diving clothesline, followed by a Go To Sleep as a stunned crowd looked on in disbelief.

Punk later justified his actions by saying that he was tired of being WWE Champion while still being overshadowed by the likes of Cena and 'Dwayne'. He would soon truly cement himself as a villain by joining forces with Paul Heyman and had a hell of a run as a top-tier bad guy.

9. The World's Strongest Ruse

WWE.com

In the spring of 2013 it looked as if Mark Henry was on the cusp of possibly calling it a day as far as wrestling was concerned.

He was losing matches and putting people over, while taking more time off to recover from injuries. He had also teased that he may be getting ready to hang them up via social media.

The World's Strongest Man returned to television on the June 17 episode of Raw, interrupting WWE Champion John Cena to deliver what appeared to be an emotional, out-of-character retirement address.

Henry left his wrestling boots on the ramp and talked about his career, including his various struggles, crying while doing so.

Cena even passed him the WWE Title belt and stepped aside so that the former World Heavyweight Champion could pose with it, soaking up the adulation of the crowd.

He then wrapped up by thanking his family and telling them he was 'coming home'.

As Cena went in for the big embrace, however, Henry dropped the microphone and in the same motion scooped Cena up for the World's Strongest Slam. The crowd couldn't believe it. They'd been had.

An absolutely sensational piece of business, Henry, Cena and WWE got absolutely everyone with the swerve.

Though he hadn't technically turned babyface in the first place, the fake retirement speech made Henry beloved at least for the duration of it, so it still felt like a monumental heel turn, even if it really wasn't.

8. Sergeant Traitor

WWE.com

When he left WWE in the mid-80's, Sgt. Slaughter was one of the hottest babyfaces in the territory after standing up to the hated Iron Sheik.

He made way for a new man defending America's honour, though, as Hulk Hogan stepped in and Sarge took off for the AWA.

When he returned in 1990, it was perhaps a natural that Slaughter would team with Hogan, who was still riding high as the do-gooder face of the company. Vince McMahon, however, had other ideas, and proposed that he turn his back on the stares and stripes and feud with the red-and-yellow menace instead.

Ramping up the heat a few notches, Sarge's heel turn would occur during Iraq's invasion of Kuwait (which led to the Gulf War), with the real-life GI Joe becoming an Iraqi sympathiser amidst complaints that his own country had gone soft.

As part of the attitude and character change, Slaughter aligned himself with General Adnan and Colonel Mustafa (Iron Sheik) and began wearing Arab headdresses and using the Camel Clutch as a finisher.

It was a truly shocking change in tact and resulted in Slaughter receiving death threats. Thankfully, the company didn't go through with him burning Old Glory on air, as had been discussed (a sacred Hulk Hogan t-shirt was used instead).

While some questioned the taste of Slaughter's newly heel ways considering what was going on in the world at the time, it was successful for the man behind the gimmick, as he won the WWE Title from the Ultimate Warrior and main-evented WrestleMania opposite the Hulkster.

7. The Bearer Of Bad News

WWE.com

There was something not quite right about The Undertaker's original pairing with Brother Love, a fact that WWE seemed well aware of, as they soon switched him out for the much more appropriate figure of Paul Bearer.

The ghastly duo were instantly iconic and fit like a pair of purple gloves.

Under the guidance of Bearer, The Deadman flipped between heel and face and back again, achieving success as WWE Champion and quickly cementing himself as one of the company's strongest and most popular characters, regardless of whether he was a goody or a baddy.

After five-plus years by each other's sides, a split in the summer of 1996 was not too surprising, but the manner in which it happened truly was.

The turn took place at the end of Undertaker and Mankind's chaotic Boiler Room Brawl battle at SummerSlam, as they made their way into the arena and fought over possession of the mystical urn (you can't spell 'turn' with 'urn' after all).

Bearer refused to hand it to his protege when he had the advantage and instead proceeded to help put the boots to the Phenom, switching allegiances to Mankind, much to the confusion of both 'Taker and the crowd in attendance.

There would be many more twists and turns in the Bearer/Undertaker relationship in the coming years, but this initial turn still ranks as one of the most shocking aspects of their storied association.

6. Doing It For The Rock

WWE.com

The question of 'who was the unknown assailant that ran down Steve Austin at the 1999 Survivor Series?' was a whodunit that remained unanswered for almost a year while the Texas Rattlesnake recovered from major neck surgery.

When he returned in the fall of 2000, he wanted answers and set about accusing anyone and everyone in order to get to the bottom of it.

Of all potential culprits, one of the least likely was Rikishi, the fun-loving, dancing babyface whose career had skyrocketed in Austin's absence.

But, as revealed by Commissioner Foley following a thorough investigation, it indeed was Rikishi behind the wheel on that fateful night, with the Samoan sumo claiming he did the deed in a bid to help the career of his cousin, The Rock, while implying that WWE was intrinsically racist and pushed white wrestlers ahead of those of colour.

It was a reveal right out of left field and the reasoning left a little to be desired, but it did give Rikishi a crack at main event stardom in feuds with both the Bionic Redneck and People's Champion.

In the end, the turn wasn't a success and WWE quickly transplanted the heat onto Triple H, who was revealed as the real mastermind behind the whole vehicular assault anyway.

Naturally.

5. Heartbreak For Marty Jannetty

The Rockers were a quintessentially late 80's/early 90's babyface tag team.

They were colourful, exciting, slapped hands with the fans and always played by the rules. A joy to watch, they were often highlights of WWE cards of the era and forged a legacy as one of the best duos ever.

It was clear to some, though, that as good as they were as a team, there were two potential singles stars there just waiting to break out.

The pair started to show some signs of dissension in late '91, and were invited onto Brutus Beefcake's Barber Shop talk show to hash it out. All looked well as they appeared to put their differences aside and embraced in what looked like a clear sign that they were on the same page.

Only for Shawn Michaels to blast Marty Jannetty with a vicious Superkick, before throwing him head-first through the Barber Shop window and tearing up a picture of him and and his former partner.

It was an impactful angle and a great turn that really came from out of nowhere, launching the singles career of the Heartbreak Kid in the process.

4. The Festival Of Betrayal

WWE.com

Like the Mark Henry turn we looked at earlier, Kevin Owens' betrayal of Chris Jericho was another case of a heel turn where the person turning may not have technically been a babyface, but the circumstances surrounding the act made it appear as such.

Owens was the reigning Universal Champion and had formed a team with Y2J, who was more than happy to play hanger-on and ensure that his 'best friend' always retained his title.

This played out for months, as Owens invariably escaped from tough matches with the strap still around his waist, thanks to intervention from Jericho, who was at that point also going around and adding those that he perceived to have wrong him to his 'list'.

Their chemistry was incredible and, though ostensibly heels, their schtick was so over that they became babyfaces in the eyes of many.

Their union came to an end at the fantastically-elaborate Festival of Friendship, which Jericho had organised for his buddy.

After all of the praise and gifts and song-and-dance routines, a clearly unimpressed KO had a present for his partner. Much to Jericho and the audience's horror, it was the 'List of KO' and Jericho's name was the first one on it, the realisation barely having time to settle in before the Prize Fighter attacked and put Jericho's face through the JeriTron, as Y2J had done himself when turning on Shawn Michaels years earlier.

It was an amazing segment with a phenomenal payoff, with Jericho selling the whole thing perfectly with his reactions and the crowd being noticeably saddened and stunned by the reveal.

3. Hell Freezes Over

WWE.com

When Steve Austin returned from major neck surgery at the tail end of 2000, he retained his spot as the number one babyface in the company.

Not far behind him, however, was The Rock, who had become even more popular while Stone Cold was recuperating and also wanted the prized top spot.

Austin versus Rock was basically the only option to headline WrestleMania X-Seven and the two stalwarts were set on a collision course for the Showcase of the Immortals, which just happened to be taking place in Austin's native Texas.

A rare babyface versus babyface headliner on the biggest show, well, ever to that point, the buildup emphasised the fact that both men felt a need to be WWE Champion above all else and would stop at nothing to walk out of the Houston Astrodome with the gold.

Stone Cold proved true to his word, enlisting the help of his mortal enemy, Mr. McMahon, in order to finally get the victory over a resilient Brahma Bull.

The sight of the blue collar, beer-drinking hero and the nefarious CEO shaking hands and sharing a beer after doing the dirty on the Great One certainly took a moment to sink in (and those in the stadium still reacted favourably to their returning hero).

Austin has since said that if he could redo the whole thing again that he would call an audible and hit Vince with a Stunner, cancelling the planned heel turn, since business went down in the post-WrestleMania period with Austin portraying a vicious heel champion.

As it is, it was a totally unexpected scene based on the previous three or so years of WWE television and something that would could only be accomplished with the players involved.

2. Seth Rollins Betrays The Shield

WWE.com

From their debut until their dissolution, The Shield were arguably the most powerful force in WWE.

Demonstrating that there really is strength in numbers, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose ran roughshod over the promotion, kicking ass and taking names - and winning titles in the process.

They were so good and so cool with their cavalier attitude and SWAT-style gear that, inevitably, they became babyfaces.

Cracks began to appear not too long after, especially during their series of awesome matches with the Wyatt Family, though they managed to get things back on track and cleared the air before entering into a feud with Evolution.

The day after The Hounds of Justice did a clean sweet against Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton in a six-man elimination match, it was revealed that (after The Animal had quit earlier in the broadcast) The Game's 'Plan B' for getting rid of The Shield was Rollins attacking his teammates from behind with a steel chair, allowing a three-on-two beatdown to commence.

Naturally, Ambrose and Reigns both began battling against their former friend as The Shield officially (temporarily) came to an end.

1. The Mega Powers Explode

WWE.com

Macho Man Randy Savage's slow burn babyface turn was complete as he shook hands with Hulk Hogan, who had come to Savage's aid and prevented a thorough kicking at the hands of the Honky Tonk Man and the Hart Foundation.

The two superstars formed an alliance dubbed 'The Mega Powers' and, when on the same page, nobody could hope to compete with them. Macho Man's manager, the lovely Miss Elizabeth, was on hand to play cheerleader and peacemaker should tensions arise.

The Hulkster even graciously helped Savage win the WWE Title in the main event of WrestleMania IV, then teamed up with Randy to battle The Mega Bucks (Ted DiBiase & Andre the Giant) and the Twin Towers (Akeem & The Big Boss Man).

All was not well, however, and Savage, a paranoid hothead at the best of times, grew suspicious of Hogan's feelings for Miss Elizabeth.

Things got worse after Hogan 'accidentally' eliminated Savage from the Royal Rumble and the Mega Powers finally imploded at The Main Event II.

During their bout with the Towers, Savage was thrown outside of the ring and landed on Elizabeth, causing Hogan to carry her off backstage. She was fine and Hulk returned, but Randy then took off himself and left Hogan to fight the odds alone (no prizes for guessing how he fared there).

Tempers flared in the post-match backstage scene, as Savage ranted and raved while Hogan begged Elizabeth to talk some sense into her man. While he was doing so, 'Mach attacked and beat down the Real American, hitting him with the WWE Title.

This, obviously, brought an end to the Mega Powers team, while also turning Savage heel and setting up the WrestleMania headline feud and match.

While their relationship was rarely totally harmonious and Savage often simmered away in the background, it was still a shocking act, especially for the era, and one of the great turns of all-time.

Dig it, BROTHER!