5 Wrestlers who played heel and face effectively
Edge was effective as both a heel and a faceA professional wrestler is always measured on his adeptness at performing as a heel and as a baby face.While there are wrestlers like Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy who spent almost their entire WWE career as faces and are still considered two of the greatest performers in the history of the business, they are merely exceptions that prove the rule.This list takes a look at those five WWE wrestlers who mastered the art of juggling between villain and hero almost seamlessly, but in a highly effective manner that went both ways.Honourable mentions go to Triple H whose Game persona drew boos or cheers based on how he was portrayed, C M Punk who did the same with his Straight Edge persona and the Rated R Superstar Edge who had no trouble in drawing a reaction, whether he was a face or a heel.
#5 Stone Cold Steve Austin
True, Stone Cold Steve Austin was the greatest face during the Attitude era as his battles with the villainous Vince McMahon were primarily responsible for turning the tide of the Monday Night Wars in WWE’s favour.
However, sandwiched on either side of this rebellious face persona were two widely different heel characterisations that make Stone Cold enter this list.
Austin initially came into main event prominence in the WWF as a heel after winning the 1996 King of the Ring and uttering the famous ‘Austin 3:16’ phrase. He was booked as a brash heel willing to go to any lengths to win the WWF Championship.
His feuds with Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts and Bret Hart were intended to push him as a hated villain – but they were so effective that the fans began cheering for him soon after.
This would be followed by the inevitable face turn and the beer drinking, McMahon stunning Texas Rattlesnake was born. However, if the fans thought that that was the only dimension to Stone Cold’s character, they were proved wrong during the Invasion storyline in 2001.
Austin transformed from a foul-mouthed face into a comedic, Vince McMahon ass kicker after the Two men Power Trip split up and was often displayed as a cowardly heel. His hilarious skits with Kurt Angle and Vince McMahon grew to be surprisingly entertaining and was eaten up by the fans.
Soon, he would revert to his old Stone Cold persona – this time as a heel. The way he pushed around the members of the Alliance and dominated fellow heels like Shane and Stephanie McMahon drew a lot of appreciation from wrestling observers.
He would eventually turn face once again – but no matter what, the WWE fans would greet him with loud cheers in any persona.