Top 10 Heels in WWE History

These are my picks for the Top 10 Heels in WWE history.

My criteria for these choices:

Character

Audience reception

Popularity

Accomplishments

HONORABLE MENTIONS

- 'ROWDY' RODDY PIPER
- BOBBY 'THE BRAIN' HEENAN
- ANDRE THE GIANT
- THE IRON SHIEK
- RANDY ORTON
- 'HOLLYWOOD' HULK HOGAN
- SETH ROLLINS
- RIC FLAIR
- NIKOLAI VOLKOFF
- THE MIZ

10. STEPHANIE MCMAHON

Comments: Stephanie McMahon is the daughter of former WWE Chairman of the Board, Vince McMahon. Stephanie became an on screen character in the late '90s, but didn't rise to prominence until her on screen relationship with Triple H in the early 2000s. The pair, together and separately, were two of the most despised entities in professional wrestling and sports entertainment. Stephanie is a former Women's Champion and was the General Manager for SmackDown at one point. Stephanie always made a phenomenal bad guy on screen and always got the appropriate reaction from the audience.

Accomplishments: Women's Champion 1x

9. JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD (JBL)

Comments: John Bradshaw Layfield, also known as JBL, is one of the greatest bad guys to ever exist on screen. Formerly a tag team competitor with Ron Simmons as part of the A.P.A., Bradshaw broke off on his own and established the 'JBL' character as a heel in the early-to-mid 2000s. He had major feuds with John Cena, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio and anyone else in between. He's a former WWE Champion, at one point, being the longest reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history. The JBL character quickly became one of the most despised characters that there ever was.

Accomplishments: WWE Champion 1x, Intercontinental Champion 1x, United States Champion 1x, Hardcore Champion 17x, European Champion 1x, WWE Tag Team Champion 3x and WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2020).

8. 'THE MILLION DOLLAR MAN' TED DIBIASE

Comments: Ted DiBiase was a prominent heel character in the early 1990s. The 'Million Dollar Man' character was one of the most hated characters in wrestling history. Known for his flashy smile, suits and trademark laugh, DiBiase is one of the greatest bad guys that there has ever been. He's also the greatest 'Million Dollar' Champion that there ever has been. DiBiase is a former tag team champion, King of the Ring winner and is apart of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Accomplishments: Million Dollar Champion 2x, WWE Tag Team Champion 3x, WWF North American Heavyweight Champion 1x, King of the Ring (1998) and WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2010).

7. CM PUNK

Comments: CM Punk made a great bad guy when the time called for it. Whether it was against Jeff Hardy, with the Straight Edge Society, the New Nexus or his incredible 434 day reign as WWE Champion, Punk always made the most of his time in wrestling. Don't get me wrong, he's a tremendous babyface in the eyes of a lot of beloved members of the WWE universe, but Punk was also known for his evil side. Punk has always been known for his strong mic skills, becoming one of the most revered 'talkers' in professional wrestling. With his promo ability, storytelling ability and character strength, CM Punk has always been a phenomenal entertainer in the squared circle.

Accomplishments: WWE Champion 2x, World Heavyweight Champion 3x, Intercontinental Champion 1x, ECW Champion 1x, Mr. Money in the Bank 2x and World Tag Team Champion 1x.

6. CHRIS JERICHO

Comments: He's from Winnipeg, you idiots. Chris Jericho was just born to be a bad guy. His cocky smile and strut, sometimes wearing a snazzy suit and just being able to turn the prick switch on - Jericho has always been able to make the fans just absolutely HATE HIM. In 2008, Jericho went on one of his greatest televised wrestling stints in his remarkable career. His feud with Shawn Michaels that year is regarded as one of the greatest feuds of all time. He was voted 'Superstar of the Year' in 2008. Rightfully so. Jericho is one of the greatest sports entertainers and professional wrestlers of all time.

Accomplishments: WWE Undisputed Champion 1x, World Heavyweight Champion 6x, Intercontinental Champion 9x, 2008 Superstar of the Year, WCW World Champion 2x, United States Champion 2x, European Champion, Hardcore Champion.

5. THE HONKY TONK MAN

Comments: There was no better consistent bad guy in wrestling in the early 1990s than the 'greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time' (at the time), The Honky Tonk Man. He was one of the most brash, cocky and cool bad guys to ever grace the squared circle. And on top of that, he became the most despised man in wrestling throughout his early WWE run. Although never reaching that mountain top in WWE, Honky Tonk Man was always renowned for his ability to be that bad guy you just wanted to punch in the face whenever you saw him. He's deserved to be on this list.

Accomplishments: Intercontinental Champion 1x, WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2019).

4. PAUL HEYMAN

Comments: When it comes to pro wrestling managers, there are none better than Paul Heyman. Regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, Paul Heyman has always had the better interest of his clients throughout the years. Whether it was Brock Lesnar, CM Punk or Roman Reigns, Heyman made their careers GRAND in every way imaginable. Heyman also has always had a knack for being the bad guy. With his promo and storytelling ability, Heyman made the most of his screen time. His ability to get the crowd heated has always been understated. Another deserved entry on this list. In my opinion, the greatest manager of all time.

Accomplishments: WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2024).

3. EDGE

Comments: When WWE needed a bad guy in the mid-2000s, there was none better at the time than Edge. With his trademark long blonde hair and evil smile, Edge became one of the greatest bad guys. Edge was a heel in a time where WWE made a massive change to their programming identity. He was always dependable and became one of the greatest champions and superstars of all time for the company. Edge's heel turn in the early-to-mid 2000s and becoming the 'Rated R Superstar' made him, in my opinion, the top heel in the company. It even felt like he had surpassed Triple H as the most hated man in WWE and that takes a bundle. Edge's run between 2004 and 2009 is legendary and he is deserved for this list.

Accomplishments: WWE Champion 4x, World Heavyweight Champion 7x (record), Intercontinental Champion 5x, World Tag Team Champion 12x, WWE Tag Team Champion 2x, WCW United States Champion 1x, King of the Ring (2001), Mr. Money in the Bank (2005), Royal Rumble winner (2010, 2021) and WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2012).

2. MR. MCMAHON

Comments: Gotta love having an EVIL boss in the workplace. There might be none more profiled than Mr. McMahon. McMahon is one of the most despised characters in professional wrestling and sports entertainment. From his feud with 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin in the late 90s, to his trademark 'You're Fired!' segments and everything devilish in between, Mr. McMahon was lighting up the camera with his presence. He will go down as one of the greatest bad guys in the history of wrestling. Of course, aren't all bosses evil? Makes sense. Haha. Not only is Mr. McMahon evil, but he passed the genetics down to his offspring, Stephanie and Shane McMahon, respectively. No matter the town, venue or environment, whenever Mr. McMahon appeared, you'd know... and boo.

Accomplishments: WWE Chairman of the Board, WWE Champion 1x, ECW Champion 1x, Royal Rumble winner (1999).

1. TRIPLE H

Comments: Coming in HOT as my pick for the best heel of all time is none other than 'The Game' Triple H. Triple H dominated the WWE scene for over a decade as both an in-ring performer and on screen personality. Whenever you ask a wrestling fan who is the best heel of all time, Triple H's name is one of the top answers immediately. Deservedly so. Triple H has always been a face you wanted to punch. From his saddistic smirk, to his cocky ways, Triple H became one of the most hated individuals on a WWE screen, just ask Jim Ross (YouTube and you'll find out). But, being the bad guy always had its perks with Triple H, becoming one of the most decorated champions in history. All in all, Triple H is my pick for the best heel of all time, because...well of course he is. I'm sure he'd admit it too, right? Haha.

Accomplishments: WWE Champion 9x, World Heavyweight Champion 5x, Intercontinental Champion 5x, European Champion 2x, WWE Tag Team Champion 1x, World Tag Team Champion 2x, Royal Rumble winner (2002, 2016), King of the Ring (1997), WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2019, as part of D-Generation X).