The 5 greatest heels of the 2000s

There's an old proverb in wrestling, it's easier to be hated to be loved.

Whilst a babyface needs to obey the rules, cater to all the fans and try and keep a smile plastered on their face, it is the much more fun role of the heel, to make sure people know just how villainous they can be.

But there are some heels, that took things to the next level between 2000 and 2009. These exceptional superstars redefined what it meant to be truly loathed by the WWE Universe.

Here are the 5 greatest heels of the 2000s, and the dastardly deeds they did to earn that spot.

#5 John Bradshaw Layfield

When the beer-drinkin' hell-raisin' Bradshaw of the APA, became JBL, many fans were unsure about whether the established tag team star would work alone.

Those doubts were proven wrong very quickly, as the Texan became one of the most dastardly villains in WWE.

Along the way to the WWE Title, JBL would use a series of xenophobic attacks, and on one instance, cause Eddie Guerrero's mother to have a heart attack.

After returning from retirement in 2008, the millionaire was back to his wicked ways, forcing Shawn Michaels to work for him, when the showstopper was in deep financial trouble.

#4 Edge

The 2012 WWE Hall of Famer, Edge went through a rollercoaster in the 2000s, beginning originally as the frat-boy heel alongside Christian.

After a few years as a face, Edge returned to his roots in 2004, becoming hellbent on capturing the WWE Championship, which he did in 2006.

But it is perhaps in 2007 on SmackDown where the Ultimate Opportunist really hit his stride, aligning himself with Vickie Guerrero.

Together, the pair ruled the blue brand with an iron fist, with Edge using every single possible tactic to keep hold of the World Heavyweight Championship.

If that wasn't bad enough, he would even marry Vickie for her power, but was revealed to be a cheat by Triple H during the couple's wedding.

#3 Randy Orton

It is amazing to see how far Randy Orton has come, from that young upstart on SmackDown in 2002.

Whilst debuting as a face, Orton would be a heel by the end of the year, giving fans updates on his shoulder injury with his 'RNN' updates.

Joining Evolution in 2003, Orton continued his cocky attitude, before turning good in the Summer of 2004 for a few months (we all experiment when we're young).

After embracing the dark side in 2005, Orton became more sadistic, promising to vanquish foes such as The Undertaker, Ric Flair and Triple H.

His crowning jewel of evil may be when he handcuffed the Game in 2009, before DDT'ing his wife Stephanie, sealing the monstrous act, with a kiss...

Don't feel too sorry for the King of Kings...

#2 Triple H

Before he was in a bitter rivalry with the Viper, there was a time where Triple H was just as sadistic.

Winning the WWF Championship on the first RAW of the Millenium, the Game held the title close, using all at his disposal to keep it.

This theme of strength in numbers continued, with the Game using his Evolution stable-mates to keep the World Heavyweight Championship around his waist for the better part of 3 years.

And when he was done with them, the Game would feud with all three, perhaps most painfully with Ric Flair, who he left a bloodied mess at Survivor Series 2005.