5 Times the WWE Universe cheered heel Superstars

#3. AJ Styles was a fan favorite for the WWE Universe in his feud against John Cena

AJ Styles pinned John Cena clean at WWE SummerSlam 2016

AJ Styles' heel turn in WWE was absolutely perfect. WWE totally nailed it in terms of creative direction when they turned The Phenomenal One into a bad guy for the first time since his arrival in the company.

Dream big. Win big. #AndNew #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/TcK01gSsjS

— AJ Styles (@AJStylesOrg) April 11, 2021

Upon John Cena's return to the WWE, he made his intentions clear and claimed that the "new generation" would have to go through him. Up stepped AJ Styles and what initially felt like a babyface vs. babyface feud, quickly saw the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion hit Cena with a clothesline and establish himself as a heel.

With both Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson by his side, Styles quickly became an anti-hero in the eyes of the WWE Universe. During his matches against Cena at Money in the Bank and SummerSlam, Styles was cheered on by the WWE Universe despite being the heel.

Say hello to #GrandSlamStyles!Congratulations @AJStylesOrg & @TheGiantOmos on becoming the NEW #WWERaw Tag Team Champions at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/5XVUvgBFm5

— WWE (@WWE) April 11, 2021

It's no secret how the WWE Universe has always reacted towards Cena, but to have them cheer for a Superstar who was still quite fresh in the company against someone of Cena's magnitude was a big statement.