Finn Balor’s NXT heel turn left many in shock as nobody saw it coming. So, here are 15 unexpected heel turns in pro wrestling.
Shawn Michaels Superkicks Marty Jannetty
The Rockers, Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty, loved to party and seemed like the perfect tag team. It became apparent Michaels was the star and WWE separated them with Jannetty being tossed throw a barbershop window.
Scott Steiner Lays Out His Brother Rick
Two of the earliest names to battle the NWO were The Steiner Brothers. The powerhouse duo were established teams across several promotions, before Scott Steiner turned on Rick Steiner to become one of the top members in the NWO.
Steve Austin Aligns With Vince McMahon
Hell froze over at WrestleMania 17 when Vince McMahon helped Steve Austin leave as WWE Champion. Two of the biggest rivals in pro wrestling shaking hands at the conclusion of such a historic event was a moment nobody saw coming.
Paul Bearer Betrays The Undertaker
When the Undertaker debuted in WWE, Paul Bearer was by his side and that lasted for many years. So, Bearer hitting Undertaker with an urn and giving it to Mankind would see a transformation begin for “The Deadman.”
Larry Zbyszko Betrays Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Sammartino was the biggest babyface in WWE until Hulk Hogan arrived. As Sammartino got older, he took Larry Zbyszko under his wing; until the student turned on the teacher.
Hulk Hogan Joins The NWO
The biggest question heading into WCW’s Bash at the Beach was who would be the third man to tag with Scott Hall & Kevin Nash. Speculation was that another WWE name would jump ship and get the spot, but it turned out to be Hulk Hogan; who tuned on decades of loyalty from fans.
Seth Rollins Turns On The Shield
The Shield had basically run through everyone in WWE and that included the recently reformed stable known as Evolution. Triple H had a backup plan after Batista left as Seth Rollins turned on his brothers.
Vince McMahon Screws Bret Hart
Until the late 1990s, Vince McMahon appeared on WWE TV, although it was never mentioned that he owned the company. Following the Montreal Screwjob, Vince would turn heel after declaring that “Bret screwed Bret.”
CM Punk Clotheslines The Rock
RAW 1,000 was a historic night and it featured two of the biggest names in the same building with CM Punk and The Rock. Fans were expecting an unforgettable moment to happen and that is what occurred when Punk clotheslined The Rock.
Triple H Drops DQ, Joins The Corporation
Triple H was one of the founding members of DQ and later become their leader. So, he stunned everyone when he selected The Corporation over his good friends.
Bret Hart Turns On America
Bret Hart always stood up for what was best for the fans, but that gimmick started to get old. After feeling that he was robbed several times by WWE, Hart turned on the United States and embraced his home country of Canada.
Shawn Michaels Superkicks Hulk Hogan
It seemed like any RAW, with the exception of Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels teaming together. They left victorious, but not before Michaels left fans stunned as he drilled Hogan with a superkick.
Stephanie McMahon Tricks Vince McMahon
We thought Triple H had tricked Stephanie McMahon into marriage and Vince McMahon was out for revenge at Armageddon. It was all a trap as Stephanie turned on her father and aligned with Triple H.
Tommaso Ciampa Ends DIY Partnership With Johnny Gargano
DIY members Johnny Gargano and Tommasco Ciampa are real friends that accomplished a dream by signing with WWE and winning the NXT tag titles. After losing the belts, Ciampa would (temporarily) end their friendship by laying out his Gargano.
Kevin Owens Makes Chris Jericho Join The List
Chris Jericho invented The List, which basically served as a bunch of names who angered the derogated star. Unfortunately for Jericho, Kevin Owens was tired of their friendship and ended it by putting Jericho on his own list.
