So, what is a wrestling heel? The sport of pro wrestling requires the use of heels. The bad guys called “heels” serve as the ideal counterbalance to the good guys. They cheat and are bullies to both their opponents and the spectators. Additionally, heels must be powerful and believable. In every good story, the heroes must overcome a number of challenges, and professional wrestling is no exception. A good heel in professional wrestling is comparable to a boss fight.
The babyface cannot trounce them due to their prowess as wrestlers and, more importantly, their willingness to cheat when necessary. In wrestling slang, a good heel will constantly make the hero—conquerors—seem as though they must conquer every challenge.
As a result, it’s understandable why heels win championships in many wrestling promotions much more frequently than heroes do. Telling an important story includes doing that. While it’s nice to support the good man once they reach the summit, the tale of how they scaled the mountain and overcame seemingly impossible challenges is much more inspiring.
Additionally, as heroes are typically noble individuals, babyfaces will abide by the laws even if they are a little bent. Conversely, heel wrestlers adhere to the maxim “win at all costs.” Naturally, a wrestler who cheats to win and has gotten pretty skilled at cheating undetected will be at the top of our figurative peak more often.
What Is a Heel in Wrestling?
In professional wrestling, heels serve as the antagonist, competing against the most prominent and most adored wrestlers. A great performer is crucial to a rivalry, but a great heel is just as important, if not more so. Fans must feel as though the babyface is in danger; frequently, they will pay just as much to see a heel they despise lose as they will see their preferred wrestler triumph.
The origination of the word “heel” is most likely from a slang term for “contemptible person” that first arose around 1914.
Typical heel tactics include hitting other wrestlers backstage and interfering with other wrestlers’ matches. They behave in a haughty or superior manner and manipulate to win, such as utilizing the ropes for advantage while pinning or assaulting with foreign items like folding chairs while the referee is looking away.
Different Types of Heel
Crazy heel:
A violent, unpredictable raging lunatic may attack others for no apparent reason or accuse them of “holding them back” from chances for championships and other perks. We can see psychotic behavior occasionally.
For example – Chris Jericho (WCW in 1998; WWF in the middle of 2001)
Comic heel:
A comic heel is the one who uses a dark comedic ploy.
For example – John Cena (from late 2002 to 2003)
Monster heel:
An unstoppable force of nature capable of crushing the opposition.
For example – Umaga, Kane.
Egotistical heel:
An annoying and conceited figure who is boastful or arrogant; some wrestlers capitalize on their notoriety, accomplishments, or good looks. This style of heel is most likely the most popular.
For Example – CM Punk
Popular heel:
For Example – Randy Orton.
What Is the Opposite of a Heel Wrestling?
The babyface is the conventional response. We were told this many years ago, and it goes like this:
Heel: The bad guy. whom you suppose to dislike. It always makes the fan favorites work for it, possibly compromising their titles or hopes at championship fights.
Babyface: The wrestler that everyone wants to support or “the fan favorite.” Usually, you root for the underdog when facing nearly unstoppable heels as they attempt to defeat their foe.
What Makes a Great Wrestling Heel?
Every effective professional wrestling plot revolves around heels. Every hero needs an adversary to face and defeat, after all. But what characteristics of a heel stand out? To put it another way, how does a bad guy get us to hate him so much that we will pay money to see him lose? Explore now.
Heels Play Dirty
Most of the time, heels break the law. Some of them even flaunt it while displaying no remorse for their adversary. However, breaking the law isn’t the only way to do it. The best heels possess talent. To win a competition, they don’t need to cheat. Instead, because they are too proud to admit defeat, they utilize dishonorable tactics of succeeding to gain a triumph at any cost.
Heels Are Great on Mic
From the language, rhythm, tone, and gestures, we learn about a wrestler’s identity, goals, and motivations via their promotional material. For example, the legendary heel wrestler Gorgeous George had an impact on boxing hero Muhammad Ali. When Ali was 19 years old, George gave him some battle promotion advice and said that millions of individuals would pay to see someone hush their lips. Therefore, continue boasting, sassing, and being obnoxious at all times.
Not all heels are good talkers, but there are some exceptions to this rule, and those exceptions are typically partnered with a manager who can cut a commercial like it’s nobody’s company.
Heels Draw Reactions
Even though it may seem simple, the ultimate goal is to engage spectators in the events, narratives, and players. Additionally, understand that different audience reactions may occur. Some heels irritate us with their timidity and deception, which makes us dislike them. Some people offend spectators with their abrupt attitude. And some wrestlers are just terrifying.
As The Undertaker explained in a recent episode of Stone Cold Steve Austin – Broken Skull Sessions, early in his career in professional wrestling history, his horrific, terrifying personality would strike spectators into stillness.
The live audience felt terrified as he made his debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. According to him, he even had admirers who would approach him in public and inquire as to whether he was still alive. When it happens, you know you have something. Professional wrestling in general, including heel characteristics, works best when the lines between reality and imagination are fuzzier.
Final Words – What is a Wrestling Heel?
A character might gain heat from the audience by being a good heel for a variety of reasons. First of all, it usually helps to be a jerk in general. We all know jerks in real life, so it’s entertaining to watch the nice men mistreat them. We experience life through the heel.
Through “cheap heat” strategies like “your hometown/local sports team sucks” monologues, this is further developed. Furthermore, engaging in foul play and cheating are excellent ways to make it clear to the crowd that they shouldn’t be supporting you. These are fantastic; however, even though it seems simple, it’s not. A personality is more than just what they say on the mic.
They must perform it in the ring as well, and they are not only permitted to use dirty tricks during fights. Backstage plot politics are as crucial. Additionally, they need to portray themselves consistently. There is a narrow line between being someone the audience despises and wants to see punished and being someone they want to see leave.
