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Since the inception of professional wrestling, there have been two distinct types of wrestling performers - the heel character and the face character. Hulk Hogan could be considered the stereotypical face character in wrestling of the 1980s. However, the stereotypical heel character was arguably someone like Ric Flair. Whether you liked Flair or Hogan, they drew interest and kept fans watching.
During the 1990s, WWE and WCW battled each other for ratings supremacy. However, it was wrestling fans who benefited. The likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin and the NWO wowed their respective fans. Each promotion relied heavily on their heel and face performers for success.
Arguably WWE and WCW would have perished without these pivotal characters. Moreover, without these key players, fans would never have witnessed standout matches or memorable moments, such as those in the video below.
So, with the new Wednesday Night War, who are some of the best heel characters in WWE and AEW today?
#5 - WWE Superstar Lacey Evans
Lacey Evans joined WWE NXT in 2016. However, many people do not realize that she is a former United States Marine. Working progressively through the NXT brand, Evans found initial success during the Mae Young Classic, making it to the second round. However, she would be eliminated by Toni Storm.
In 2019, Evans was promoted to the main roster, working on WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown Live. Evans would be rated 23rd in a PWI listing for the top 100 Women wrestlers in 2019, notably due to her feud with Becky Lynch.
Evans is arguably one of the best female wrestlers yet to win a championship. Her work during promo segments is quite mesmerizing. Working as a heel character, Lacey Evans aligned with Ric Flair in a recent episode of WWE RAW and the duo has been feuding with Charlotte Flair. Evans also recently announced her pregnancy live on RAW, to the shock of WWE fans watching at home.
#4 - WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
A member of the legendary Anoa'i family, Roman Reigns is arguably the most entertaining star on the WWE SmackDown roster in his current heel character. Being the current WWE Universal Champion and managed by Paul Heyman, Reigns seems unstoppable at present. Predominantly working as a good guy in the last few years, he has earned his spot in the main event scene, and has transitioned well into a heel character.
At SummerSlam 2020, Reigns destroyed Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman following their WWE Universal Championship match. In subsequent months, Reigns aligned himself with Paul Heyman and has recruited his cousin, Jey Uso. The group has become an interesting unit to watch.
At Royal Rumble 2021, Reigns took Kevin Owens to the limit and successfully retained his championship in a Last Man Standing match. Their feud took another turn on a recent episode of WWE SmackDown, with Owens attacking him from behind. His heel character has certainly been entertaining thus far. After years of Reigns being pushed in a certain direction, this Roman Reigns feels like the version we were always meant to see.
#3 - AEW star MJF
Maxwell Jacob Friedman, known as MJF, is arguably one of All Elite Wrestling's key heel characters. Since joining AEW in 2019 he has feuded with the likes of Jon Moxley, Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho. He has also helped improve the credibility of his bodyguard Wardlow, who is yet to experience his own singles run.
Friedman is arguably one of the best bad guys in AEW right now. However, we have yet to see the best from him. Whether verbally attacking fans or hilariously berating fellow wrestlers, he is a great heel character. It is only a matter of time until he wins the AEW World Championship.
Working closely with Jericho's stable, the Inner Circle, MJF seems destined for success. He has been entertaining alongside Jericho and the pair make great television together. However, when can we expect MJF to turn on Jericho? Regardless of the outcome, MJF is set for superstardom. Perhaps he could go on to use his skills and help develop more heel characters in the company.
#2 - Former WWE Champion AJ Styles
AJ Styles has worked for notable wrestling organizations and arguably helped popularize the modern high-flying wrestling style. Starting with IMPACT Wrestling (then TNA), Styles helped develop the X Division. Progressing to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Styles became synonymous with the Bullet Club and excited fans with standout matches, notably with Shinsuke Nakamura.
Styles has performed as a face character for the most part of his career, but is now enjoying a devilish heel character run in WWE.
Debuting for WWE during the Royal Rumble in 2016, Styles went on to earn a plethora of championship accolades in his first few years with the company. He has won the WWE Championship twice, the WWE Intercontinental Championship once, and the WWE United States Championship three times. Furthermore, he holds the accolade of being the Undertaker's supposedly final Wrestlemania opponent.
At present, Styles is working as a heel character supported by his associate Omos. Styles works excellently on his own and has been an entertaining heel character for WWE fans. This Sunday, he has an opportunity to secure the WWE Championship when he enters the Elimination Chamber. Will Styles dethrone Drew McIntyre?
#1 - Former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho boasts an impressive career spanning more than twenty years. He has worked for WCW, ECW, WWE, NJPW, and AEW, amongst others, which is impressive. Being fifty years of age, Jericho is working diligently to uphold his reputation as a standout heel character and is clearly willing to help develop others around him.
Throughout his career, Jericho has worked best as a heel character. Fans will remember notable feuds with Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Kevin Owens. However, Jericho would work closely with Kenny Omega and Tetsuya Naito in excellent feuds. During his time with New Japan Pro Wrestling, fans were treated to a different aspect of Jericho's persona.
In 2019, Jericho signed with AEW, shocking some fans. His presence was felt immediately and helped bolster AEW's standing. In mere months, Jericho became the inaugural AEW Champion, defeating Adam Page. Now the leader of the Inner Circle, Jericho is helping build future stars.
Chris Jericho is perhaps the best heel character in wrestling right now and it will be interesting what direction his character will take in the near future.
