The Worst WWE Heel Turn Every Year For The Past Decade

Heel or face determines a character of a professional wrestler that performs for an audience on a weekly basis. Often WWE stars over their careers switch between being the good and the bad guy for the fans. A turn can change the trajectory of a wrestler's career for the good in the long run with the promotion.

However, there are times when a wrestler turns against the crowd, and it does absolutely nothing for them in the long run. Moreover, sometimes the turn harms the wrestler's credibility and its booking instead of remaining a lovable babyface for the fans.

11 Jimmy Uso (2023)

Earlier this year, Jimmy Uso became one of the most talked about superstars in the promotion when he turned on Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa at Night of Champions 2023. The turn came as a pleasant surprise as it marked the end of The Bloodline.

Unfortunately, the management quickly turned on their own decision as they wanted to prolong the story of The Bloodline. Therefore, Jimmy Uso turned heel when he cost Jey Uso at SummerSlam 2023. It's unclear how the move will affect Uso's career, but it was the worst heel turn of the year as it went against everything that was created over the past few months with The Usos.

10 Nikki A.S.H. (2022)

In 2021, Nikki Cross officially became Nikki A.S.H. and adapted into her new superhero persona. Nikki was awarded when she won the Money in the Bank contract and cashed it in on Charlotte Flair to win the RAW Women's Championship in July.

Sadly, the heel turn was handled poorly by management. After losing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Rhea Ripley, Nikki turned on her tag team partner. However, the heel turn came out of nowhere, and instead of going back as Cross, Nikki stayed heel in her superhero persona which eventually went nowhere on the brand.

9 Sasha Banks (2021)

In 2015, Sasha Banks was one of the most popular heels on the developmental brand. The Boss even made children cry in the audience and delivered stellar promos during her time as the NXT Women's Champion. Unfortunately, WWE failed to recapture the same intensity from Sasha Banks on the main roster.

In 2021, Sasha Banks entered WrestleMania 37 as the SmackDown Women's Champion and dropped the title to Bianca Belair in the main event of the show's first night. However, she returned to the blue brand after months and turned heel on The EST. Unfortunately, the heel turn went nowhere due to the return of Becky Lynch, and Banks quietly turned face before the end of the year.

8 Mustafa Ali (2020)

In 2020, Mustafa Ali was set to play an integral role on Friday Night SmackDown with the newly introduced hacker gimmick. After weeks of teasing the character, the company abruptly dropped it and continued the weekly shows without acknowledging the existence of the character.

Later, Mustafa Ali appeared on Monday Night RAW and joined the brand. He turned heel out of nowhere and became the leader of Retribution which often feuded with The Hurt Business. The heel turn and the run as the leader of the notorious group was a dead end, and the members of the stable effectively ended the group after kicking him out.

7 Rusev & Lana (2019)

In 2017, Rusev got himself over with crowd alongside Aiden English when he created Rusev Day. Unfortunately, WWE never pushed Rusev or Aiden English as a singles or tag team act in the promotion. Later, they added Lana to the mix and English turned on Rusev.

Nevertheless, the company finally made The Bulgarian Brute the United States Champion. However, they quickly turned him heel as he attacked R-Truth alongside Shinsuke Nakamura. It went nowhere and Rusev eventually turned face again months later, but the momentum was completely lost. Rusev left the company after a controversial storyline with Bobby Lashley and Lana.

6 Braun Strowman (2018)

In 2018, Braun Strowman was one of the most over stars in the promotion and he even won the RAW Tag Team Championship alongside Nicholas. Later, he went on to win the Money in the Bank contract but failed to cash it in successfully on the Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

However, the company decided to go completely 360 when they turned the Monster Among Men heel and formed a faction with Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler. The trio lasted around two months and the plans were dropped when Roman Reigns went on a hiatus. Meanwhile, Strowman's heel turn became a complete waste as he ended up turning face again just weeks later.

5 Big Cass & Enzo Amore (2017)

Big Cass and Enzo Amore were once the most popular team on Monday Night RAW as fans adored the duo. Unfortunately, WWE never pushed Cass and Amore as a tag team, and they never won the RAW Tag Team Championship during their time on the brand.

Instead, the company decided to go another way and turned Cass heel over Amore. After their feud ended over the summer, Big Cass was sidelined due to an injury and Enzo Amore turned heel when he started his journey as a singles star on the main roster. Eventually, both left the promotion after their poor run as heels.

4 Ryback (2016)

In 2012, Ryback was undefeated on Monday Night RAW as he marched towards an opportunity against CM Punk for the WWE Championship. Unfortunately, The Big Guy lost all momentum in the coming years after he teamed up with Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman and feuded with CM Punk.

In 2016, Ryback entered the year as a face after losing the Intercontinental Championship to Kevin Owens. Later, he turned heel and attacked then-United States Champion Kalisto. The Big Guy lost to Kalisto in the pre-show of WrestleMania 32. The sudden heel turn did no favors to The Big Guy and Ryback left the promotion before the end of the year.

3 Sheamus (2015)

Over the past few years, Sheamus has been dealing with injuries and made a miraculous comeback right before the start of the Pandemic Era. The Celtic Warrior's work ever since has been widely praised, alongside his recent work with Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship.

However, Sheamus had one of the worst heel turns in the company when he returned from injury in 2015. He completely changed his look which was hated by the fans. He spent months feuding with Dolph Ziggler, including losing an embarrassing Kiss My Arse match. While he achieved success during this run, the turn and the initial run were disliked by fans across the globe.

2 Batista (2014)

In 2010, Batista quit WWE as he wanted to pursue a career in Hollywood similar to The Rock. The Animal eventually became a successful star in Hollywood with movies such as Blade Runner, James Bond, and MCU's Guardian of The Galaxy where he became a lovable wrestler turned actor in the industry.

Unfortunately, the same was not said about his heel turn in 2014 when he returned to the promotion. Initially, Batista was set to win the title and leave the company for a while. Instead, WWE turned him heel as he was heavily rejected after winning the Royal Rumble match. Later, he reunited with Evolution and had a short feud with The Shield before returning to Hollywood.

1 Shawn Michaels (2013)

Shawn Michaels' legendary WWE career was filled with more controversy than any other wrestler from his generation. The Heartbreak Kid retired from in-ring competition when he failed to beat The Undertaker in a No Disqualification match at WrestleMania 26 when he put his career on the line.

In 2013, Shawn Michaels did the unthinkable when he turned heel. Many fans might have forgotten that The Heartbreak Kid turned heel against Daniel Bryan inside Hell in a Cell during his match against Randy Orton. Later, Michaels explained his actions and sided with Triple H and The Authority. The heel turn was short-lived and done only to prolong the storyline between Daniel Bryan and The Authority.