'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Despite being a villain/heel in WWE, fans aren't always willing to hate certain superstars. While heel turns may work in the beginning, over time as they get more entertaining, fans begin to cheer them.
This has happened time and again. In some cases, WWE makes sure to organically build towards a face turn. When such instances happen, it usually makes for a great payoff, making fans wait to get what they want.
In some unfortunate situations, however, WWE seemingly doesn't want to listen to fans who outright refuse to boo heels. Either way, even if it's not planned, WWE usually have to change things up when fans refuse to boo a certain heel. It makes for an interesting shake-up in things and we give you five instances of organic face turns that happened thanks to the fans.
#5 Rusev
When Rusev introduced the concept of "Rusev Day" with Aiden English, it was simply meant as a one-off for a segment. However, in no time, fans caught on with Rusev Day and began to chant "Rusev Day" as loud as they could, showing support for The Bulgarian Brute.
The Rusev Day concept led to a huge surge in popularity for Rusev, who despite constantly showing villainous traits was always cheered by the fans. This resulted in him becoming one of the most popular stars on SmackDown Live and fans got increasingly frustrated that WWE didn't turn him face.
It seemed to be WWE being adamant to get fans to hate Rusev, but that simply didn't happen. After seven or eight months, Rusev finally began showing traits of a babyface and he, Aiden English and Lana slowly turned face in the process when feuding with Andrade 'Cien' Almas and Zelina Vega.
#4 Batista
When Randy Orton was kicked out of Evolution in 2004, it seemed like WWE's big plan was for him to become the next top babyface after overcoming Triple H. However, things didn't quite work out that way.
Fans didn't really want to cheer for Orton and instead shifted their focus to Batista. They realized something was brewing between him and Triple H and towards the end of 2004, fans were excited at the thought of Batista turning on Triple H.
In an incredible slow-burn build, Batista would officially turn on Triple H and put an end to Evolution in what many consider as one of the greatest face turns of all time. As he reversed his thumbs up to a thumbs down, the crowd erupted.
#3 AJ Styles
It was 2016 and AJ Styles, who no one expected to see in WWE found himself rising to the top rapidly. He turned heel in a shock move mid-year and would go on to capture the WWE Championship just over seven months after his debut.
While his heel turn undoubtedly boosted his mic skills and persona, fans were quick to realize that this was very much the best wrestler in the world. Everything about him was amazing and they refused to boo him. Despite being SmackDown Live's top heel, he was cheered as the top babyface.
He would have a great run with the WWE title and organically turned face two nights after WrestleMania 33 when he shook hands with Shane McMahon
#2 The Rock
The Rock was skyrocketing to the top of the card and between 1998-99 was the top heel of the company, being world champion as well. Aligning with Vince and Shane McMahon, he was the company golden boy and handpicked for success.
As would be the case with the rest of his career, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin would be in his path and took the WWF Championship from him at WrestleMania XV. He beat him in their rematch the following month and on the RAW after Backlash, Shane McMahon, furious with The Rock, fired him.
The Rock by then slowly began to show traits of a babyface so when he cemented his face turn, the crowd roared in approval. It was the beginning of an epic run as the face of the company.
#1 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin
Walking into WrestleMania 13, Bret Hart was a babyface and Austin was an up-and-coming heel. In this classic submission match, Austin's career would be changed forever. After a brutal bout, the finish saw Bret Hart lock in the sharpshooter on Austin, who simply refused to tap out.
While he was struggling in pain, drenched in his own blood, fans began to see just how tough Austin really was and the sympathy instantly shifted. Bret Hart would be declared the winner after Austin passed out, but his attack on Austin after the match would cement his heel turn, with fans furious at The Hitman.
It would mark the start of Austin's historic run as he eventually became the biggest superstar in the history of WWE.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
