The Y2J countdown launched Chris Jericho's career in 2001. This was WCW's Chris Jericho's WWE debut. Chris Jericho overcame The Rock and Stone Cold to become WWE's first undisputed champion. Jericho returned in 2008. He had a plot against HBK this time. It's one of WWE's best villains.
Degeneration X were both heroes and villains. Their outrageous actions, like going to WCW in a tank, made them a WWE icon. DX remade its superstars. HBK has a character that appeals to male WWE fans. We saw DX's ascension against Stone Cold Steve Austin, which included Mike Tyson in Wrestlemania XIV.
The Rock's popularity overshadowed his heel talents. In 1998's Survivor Series, he sided with Vince McMahon's company. He's the company's champion since then. His ability to make people hate him got him on our list. His I Quit Match against Mankind was brutal. Mick Foley tossed chair after chair while his family watched.
Who says just wrestlers are WWE heels? Bobby "The Brain" Heenan fought Andre the Giant and Mr. Perfect. His ability to talk to the fans made him the ultimate WWE heel. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's mouthpiece role made fans detest his clients. He's a great manager. He helped heel wrestlers obtain notoriety.
Degeneration X defined a WWE generation. Shawn Michael has additional corporate achievements. 1985 tag team champions Shawn Michaels and Marty Jennetty. The Rockers disbanded after Shawn Michaels attacked his partner in 1992. Heart Break Kid is Shawn Michaels.
Rowdy Roddy Piper is another renowned 80s WWE heel. Roddy Piper made Hulk Hogan famous in the 1980s and 1990s. He got fans' attention by crushing a coconut over Jimmy Snuka's head and beating a small guy in Piper's Pit. Piper's Heel career peaked when he and Paul Orndoff headlined Wrestlemania against Mr. T and Hulk Hogan.
WWE merged fantasy and reality well. They've created political-themed plots. Hulkamania fought the Iron Sheik while the US fought Iran. Iron Sheik embodied the 1980s foreign heel. Iron Sheik was on Iran's 1960s Greco-Roman squad. Knowing the wrestling crowd, he always drew boos.
Hunter Hearst Hemsley left Regal to lead Degeneration X. Years later, he became the Game. Many credit Stephanie McMahon for Triple H's success. That's not everything. Triple H's ring and mic talents and menacing size made him a famous WWE heel. Triple H may quickly become a fan favorite or heel. He wrestled Mick Foley, The Rock, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Ric Flair hates his fans. He did well. No other superstar matches Ric Flair's heel persona. He was a 16-time world champion and could compete with any superstar. He's known for his "WHOOO"-inducing chest slaps. His submissions include a figure four leg lock finisher.
Vince McMahon runs the company hands-on. Vince McMahon's creative character building includes himself as a key heel in WWE.
His family features in the company's plot. Vince McMahon capitalized on people's hatred of bosses. "The Man" wants you to fail. Vince McMahon helped Stone Cold Steve Austin create the biggest storylines of the Attitude era.