5 surprising face turns that changed WWE forever

It is often easier to be hated than loved.

In WWE, there has been no shortage of fantastic heels that have been able to anger the fans, annoy their opponents and find ways to be downright despicable.

From the affluent arrogance of the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase to the all-consuming ego of Mr. McMahon to the self-righteous Daniel Bryan of today, WWE has hosted some of the best heels of all time.

But sometimes, in rare instances, a heel will see the error of their ways, and embrace the fans, fighting for what is right.

Often, these face turns can have huge ramifications down the line, for both the turner and the industry as a whole.

Here are five face turns that shocked the WWE Universe and changed the face of the company forever.

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#5: The Animal is unleashed

The Animal toppled his mentor at WrestleMania 21 to capture the World Heavyweight Championship

When a young Dave Batista won the 2005 Royal Rumble, the Animal was faced with a dilemma.

As a member of Evolution, it made little sense for Batista to challenge his mentor Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship, and after nearly being run-down by a certain bullhorned Limo, it seemed like it was going to be Batista-JBL at WrestleMania.

That was until Batista found out the truth: that The Game had orchestrated the hit, to make sure he didn't face the Animal at WrestleMania.

Turning on his mentor with an infamous thumbs down, Batista vowed to take the title from the King of Kings at WrestleMania 21, and did just that, ushering in a new era.

Now, 14 years later, the roles are reversed, as the Game is hoping to avenge his loss this Sunday at WrestleMania 35.

#4: Hulkamania runs wild once more

Hogan learned a lesson in humility after losing to The Rock in Toronto.

It had been nine years since Hulk Hogan had appeared in a WWE ring, so fans were rightly shocked when the Hulkster joined the company in 2002, as part of the nWo.

As part of Vince McMahon's plan to kill the WWF, which he now co-owned with Ric Flair, Hogan took umbrage with The Rock, and the pair met in the Skydome in Toronto at WrestleMania X8.

In an iconic bout, the Brahma Bull beat Hogan, though fans couldn't help but cheer the Hulkster on, especially after suffering a rib injury during the match.

Shaking the Rock's hand, and fending off his nWo team-mates, Hogan would soon once again embrace the red and yellow, as Hogan's historic comeback took a feel-good turn before Hogan would win the Undisputed title a month later.

#3: Do I have everybody's attention now?

Punk kissed the boss goodbye at Money in the Bank 2011.

CM Punk may be regarded by fans very differently in 2019, but eight years ago, the Second City Savior was the hottest commodity in wrestling.

Despite being a part of the New Nexus, Punk would send shockwaves around the world when he announced that he was planning to leave the WWE on July 17, with John Cena's WWE Championship.

In an iconic promo, Punk highlighted some very real frustrations he had with the company, as the WWE Universe continued to get behind the former heel.

True to his word, Punk did indeed win the title from Big Match John at Money in the Bank, and left the company, for approximately eight days. Though his sudden return may have dampened his shocking face turn, the fans still loved Punk until his real departure in January 2014.

#2: The Corporate champion once again embraces the People

The Rock became one of the company's most beloved stars after turning face.

The Rock's face turn in 1999 is difficult to understand.

Joining the company as a clean-cut babyface, fans turned on the young Rocky Maivia, with chants of 'Die Rocky Die', echoing around arenas.

Facing no alternative, the WWE turned him heel, aligning him with the Nation of Domination, with the newly christened Rock becoming the company's youngest WWE Champion in 1998.

And despite brutal attacks on stars like Mankind and Steve Austin, fans began rallying behind The Rock the following year, leading to a face turn.

Being attacked by Shane McMahon and the Corporation after failing to take the title from Austin, Rock would become one of the most likeable Superstars of all time, and though he returned to his heel routes in 2003, fans still adored the Great One.

#1: Stone Cold refuses to quit

Austin passed out in a pool of his own blood at WrestleMania 13.

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is one tough S.O.B

That much was never proven more than when Austin took on Bret 'Hitman' Hart at WrestleMania 13, in I-Quit Submissions match. Entering as the heel, Austin was foul-mouthed on his way to the ring, riling up the fans live in Detroit.

However, as the match went on, and the Hitman showed his more sadistic side, the crowd couldn't help but side with Austin, who despite his flaws, refused to quit to the Excellence of Execution.

With Ken Shamrock as the guest referee, the crescendo of the match came at the end, as Hart locked a bloodied Austin into his Sharpshooter finisher.

Screaming in pain, Austin still refused to tap, passing out in a pool of his own blood, to the admiration of millions around the world.