Pro Wrestling 101 - Getting Heel Heat

[@razgrizstrigoi1778]

"More than just being a heel is being 'hated'. Too many times, nowadays, I think fans and wrestlers want to be a heel but they want to be liked, they want to be cheered, they want to be cool. And nowadays I think so many guys don't know what it really means to get heel heat." As a wrestler myself, I have to agree with this...

[@burningkarma]

I "hated" you back in the day! You did your job well!

[@sethfullerton1498]

I have more respect for Justin than most of the guys who have been WWE champion in the past 5 years. Seriously man, thanks for all of the advice!

[@StellarSteven]

I like how sometimes heel Mick Foley or a Steve Corino in ECW got heat for being a clean wrestler. That's a cool way of getting heat. The anti-hardcore antics to get heat was such a great idea.

[@tafua_a]

The crowd determines heel or face dynamics. In a crowd full of bloodthirsty hardcore fans, refusing to use weapons and putting people in 5 minute headlocks is the mother of dick moves

[@kyle2441]

I got to see you at living dangerously 98 in Asbury park and a couple times at the arena.... I was 15 my father would take me.. it was epic man the glory days of wrestling.

[@robintst]

Ya know, a big problem in WWE for heels is they've deliberately come out and said "we're entertainment" so much that the fans no longer can suspend their disbelief enough to think the heels they have are really that despicable. So guys like Damien Sandow, who started to get a great heel run at first, are now presented as a joke. Then Vince told Creative that there are no more babyfaces and heels, which because of how the fans behave now, is actually true and that all started with the crowd splitting in half on Cena. They never turned him heel to give him something fresh to do at the first sign of trouble from the crowds. If it was gonna happen it needed to happen maybe 3 or 4 years ago. Now it can't happen for another 5 to 10 years when his fans are grown up and he appears stale because they let it go too long and the fans just accept him as he is now. Plus he does all that Make-A-Wish and Susan G. Komen work that you really can't make him a heel now. The PR backlash would be a nightmare. By acknowledging his haters, they brought about a new perspective of the talent as a whole. This is why Bryan's popularity soared, this is why the Wyatt Family (who are my absolute favorite guys to watch right now) have large segment of fans when they're presented as heels. The fans tend to boo now because a segment or match is just boring and poorly written, not because the heel involved is being a heel.

[@drakesdrum1]

Interested in what you thought of Cena and Wyatt's Firefly Fun House at Wrestlemania this year...

[@robintst]

​@@drakesdrum1 I don't watch wrestling anymore.

[@drakesdrum1]

@@robintst well that is a shame

[@is33b3atifulgh0sts]

@@robintst cm punk just came back after years on a show called AEW, you should watch it it’s really good,and it’s real pro wrestling unlike wwe pg bs

[@onehand-yusuf7212]

@@is33b3atifulgh0sts aew is just as bad or even worse than WWE if we keeping it a buck

[@NY32986]

Bad New Barrett should've made fun of the Special Olympics Team at Extreme Rules a Few weeks ago, that's nuclear heel heat. Lana just mentions Vladimir Putin; Heel Heat.

[@RavenRX]

You should explain heels more. Like what is a heel and what are they suppose to do. I feel like todays fan doesn't understand that.

[@damianocconor8921]

RavenEX annoy the shit out of everyone

[@misterprickly]

I really hate it when you can't tell the difference between the heel and the face because they're both doing *the same moves*. Somebody should tell the baby faces out there that they're not supposed to stomp, choke, argue with the ref and diss the crowd. Faces don't do that!!! Some guys do that thinking "It doesn't matter" but it does; Especially to the audience!

[@arthurvandelay4225]

Hogan choked his opponents all the time, it's not about "not supposed to" its about giving the crowd what they want, that's what makes a face.

[@TheNoirAlien]

I wish the claymore kick was more of last resort deadly Ender type of move and the Stomp.

[@TheNoirAlien]

Kinda like a Super stfu...pepsi max drop desperation move

[@tafua_a]

Honestly, I think you can do it IF, and only if, you know how to make it look justified. Argue with the ref when it's obvious that they missed something, stomp and choke only in the grudge match of a blood feud, where even though you are the good guy, you hate the heel too much to contain yourself, and don't diss the crowd ever, if anything try to get them by your side, because ultimately the crowd is what decides who is the heel and who is the babyface.

[@ZakKing01]

Justin, you were on of the greatest heels in ECW. I love everything about this sport and your video's are very helpful for someone who would like to break into the business.

[@southernoutlaw9975]

im a heel and i make the crowd hate me if im going against a babyface i slap the face around and ask the crowd how they like him now

[@hitmangfx7162]

Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens...best heels in WWE right now.

[@edbouch5353]

+Hitman GFX even though they dont get booed??

[@hitmangfx7162]

They were booked as heels and got over for doing such a great job. I'm sure John Cena's fanbase was booing both of them last year.

[@TheDarknightRemix]

Wrong, that title belongs to the Miz.

[@tumamaenfire4688]

Rusev and the miz are the best heels

[@2coreyfaele637]

than suck

[@timetraveler90]

Best Heel of Attitude Era: Triple H Best Heel of Ruthless Aggression Era: Randy Orton Best Heel of PG Era: The Miz

[@incognito607]

I agree with the Miz part. It's ironic, I like him because I hate him. XD

[@rouge3031ify]

Incognito * for me it was Vince Mcmuscles when he was coming out like the big boss asshole

[@TheNoirAlien]

Brock might squeeze miz, but only because he's a Final Boss

[@TheNoirAlien]

Oh and your top 3 Faces?

[@pizzahighfive2612]

Attitude era was SO good you had more than one main face and more than one main heel. Main faces: Stone Cold, The Rock, sometimes Taker Main Heels: Vince McMahon, HHH and the DX, Kurt Angle

[@Ballpython77]

back in the early 2000's doing wrestling shows in my town, i was going against one of the top heels and when we were working on the match, i told him after the finish to stand over my body and to spit in my face. fuck, did he ever got heat for it. people went fucking mad but man he ever felt bad for it. i was happy cause he was hated a 1000 times more afterwards.

[@gingervegeta]

Personally I always loved the Shawn and Diesel heel run in WWE in the 90s it was very entertaining.

[@SeanzViewEnt]

incredible video!

[@confusedskeleton8168]

"Just Incredible"

[@MrBobbycox1]

CM Punk is a great example on how to be a good heel in today's wrestling,despite the variables.He was an Indy guy,who the Internet loves yet he still found a way to get booed when the camera was rolling.

[@bradnimbus4836]

I believe "heels" need to evolve. The typical heel gimmicks of yesteryear don't work anymore. Cheating? BIG DEAL! As a heel you want the crowd to hate you so much that they'll gladly cheer for whoever can kick your ass. Step up the heel game. Slap women, spill drinks on children, be a racist, be patriotic/unpatriotic. Do things that would cause people to hate you. Generate heat. Remember back in the day when Slaughter would get those death threats? THAT'S heat! Great video!

[@rasr666]

WOW!

[@robintst]

I like your attitude but you really can't do those things anymore in this politically correct world we live in, not to mention WWE has shareholders to kowtow to that cause a stink with the least bit of something goes askew. I think the problem is, sometimes, they have these ideas for angles outlined and just go ahead with what they had planned without listening if the people really bought it or not. Like Ryback and Curtis Axel... supposed to be a heel tag-team, they got that across in a very timid way, and the people are just like "meh..."

[@rasr666]

Robin Everheart 'robinkom' uff!

[@Cardguy18]

Don't you think though some of the death threats had to do with a majority of people thinking wrestling was real? Nobody thinks that anymore.

[@rasr666]

Daniel Haugen I yes and what!

[@DaTravBoo]

Awesome stuff man. About to start a promotion here in Oklahoma. Hopefully I can instill some of this knowledgee to my guys.

[@devil0448]

Good luck with that! Hope you do very well :D I'd go to it but sadly. Michigan is kind of far as hell away.

[@DaTravBoo]

***** Thanks. Yeah. That would be a long trip.

[@DaTravBoo]

***** Muskogee

[@DaTravBoo]

***** There's a promotion in Tulsa. Combat Pro. They put on a pretty good show. If you haven't checked them out, you should.

[@Rippleshanks]

Awesome man. I'd like to check that out. I live in Tulsa.

[@tehfawkinman]

I was always pissed when you beat Dreamer, especially in the Stairway to Hell match.

[@Samus500]

Personally I think that if you want to know how to get heel heat you should watch a Matt Bourne as Doink the Clown match and you can see how a true heel works in my opinion. Mick Foley even stated that he got tips on ring psychology from him and even said something to the affect that "A heel rakes an opponents eyes not because they have to, its because they WANT to." Perfect explanation.

[@rogueprince1341]

I'm not interested in getting into the business but these videos still kick ass.

[@ajjohnstone7063]

Jake the snake Roberts got the best heat. Smiling, walking slowly, laughing etc. Amazing

[@Uber_GoobTube]

I got to see him live in Denver when he showed up in AEW, he did all of those things and more and I lost my mind. Best heat, even as an old timer.

[@RusticChivalry1985]

I think with HBO and other things the "good" vs "evil" story themes are evolving. People don't root for the "White knight" anymore. They root for somebody who expresses what they aren't able to in normal life. (Rock, Austin, Punk.) It's definitely important to be vulnerable and make creative choices though and that's on the wrestler.

[@LIT0187]

I remember The Beverly Brothers were such great heels

[@pjgonzalez40]

This is great advice. i feel with some of the new guys they miss this when they are a heel. I used to be pro-wrestler (I am trying to get back into it, feel free search my videos). I used to be a heel and they way I got over was not with fancy moves was with cheating. It is so true the fans get emotional. It was a balance one move here more cheap heel moves it worked for me all the time. Anyway love the video keep it up.

[@jameslightsey1761]

The best heel of the 2000s is Triple H especially when he would have that sledgehammer. Man, could he really whoop some ones ass as a villain lol. Especially when he would beat the shit outta Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Goldberg, Randy Orton and Ric Flair.

[@JamieDallaway262]

But the sledgehammer took people out of the moment of suspending their belief because it was too unbelievable. I found myself turning off the channel when HHH would bring out the sledgehammer because it ruined the whole show for me.

[@chadbisaillon5110]

To me, the Dudley Boyz were the EMBODIMENT of the term heel back in Extreme Championship Wrestling.

[@loganpagel5530]

You are the man! Thank you for posting these videos !

[@StewartLucrative]

You may have already done this, but I would like to see you do a video on the difference between real heat and cheap heat.

[@GWACHAMP1]

Another great vid Justin! I love to hear all of the ins and outs of wrestling from a actual wrestler. I gain more and more respect for you after each vid. Honestly, I think you should have been utilized better in WWE. Once again great vid, and keep them coming!

[@droopydropp]

Hey justin Credible, your videos are awesome.I've always loved watching you wrestle on ECW in 2005/2006.I think you were great as a heel. I agree on heel heat. A good idea for heel heat is that the heel maybe should push a fan down or talk rash.Also one day I want to be a wrestling promoter so this would really help. Once again, great vid.

[@blackmagick77]

Just like Randy Orton. He was a great heel and he wasn't loud at all. Just had that arrogant look to him. The way he carried himself. The way he spoke and wrestled.

[@Jnwboss]

blackmagick77 that smug look on his face too you wanted to see him get beat but then he would either cheat or just be that good to beat. Loved his heel stuff though

[@evanb1470]

I have been watching you wresting off and on now for a while. And until just now, I hadn't realized you are Hart trained. And now l know why I thought you had skills and talent.

[@misstrussteLgbTq]

One of the few times in the current generation where a heel truly worked over the fans was Punk making fun of Jerry Lawler's heart attack and Paul Bearers death. Even I was pretty disgusted and I like Punk, but prior to those two things (and again since his leaving WWE) the fans liked his heel antics but the second he made it a little too real we were against him and that's what it takes now. A guy like Randy Orton is pretty much out of ideas but everyone remembers when he said stuff about Eddie Guerrero being dead. That's what heels need now for the most part. The casual fans will take less to hate a guy, but the long time fans, there has got to be some blurring.

[@rickboyer6676]

I miss the dominant heel breaking the pin 3-4 times to lay more beat-down during their squash matches. Strowman and Nia Jax should be doing this on the reg!!

[@dallascowboysnumberonefan4863]

thanks Justin for the insight

[@joellee2442]

I m planning to b a #Heel Wrestler (hope all goes well) If it does, I plan to low blow / cheat & more than likely even mock my opponent (catchphrases, finishers, etc) I will "roast" my opponent & the crowd Would that b good?

[@ahceda09]

We need heels from those days, right now we got so many heels being cheered and faces being booed.

[@aboodlifetv778]

Now I know that I'm definitely heel in wrestling I'm not yet a wrestler but wrestling is like a breathing to me I know I'll be a wrestler soon after graduation from university

[@dalevagoligo38]

do a video on backyard wrestling, there was this one that used to be on a cable access channel, I watched it, it was pretty cool for awhile but got old ... I wanna know whats your take on it? These kids are like really close to killing themselves sometimes but alot of them dont have access to real training

[@Independentwrestling]

Kevin "The Thug" Jones got some serious heel heat.

[@harublismur3596]

I like the dolph ziggler style heel...superkick outta nowhere then smirk at your fallen foe and/or at the crowd...tbh tho...i think id be a darker person as a heel...

[@jonhenning]

Jerry Lawler vs Bret Hart was a great look at heel heat.

[@TheDeadpoolwwe12]

Thanks for the great advice

[@DaTravBoo]

Hey Justin. Why don't you start a podcast? I think that would be "Incredible"!

[@hellozall]

to be heel is badass

[@handsonlywrestling1809]

How bout a new vid on getting heal heat in the modern era? 😉

[@jenisia3600]

Just dont be a Heel that wants to pop the marks instead of being hated like mjf

[@enod9746]

Ted Dibiase as the Million Dollar Man was the perfect heel.

[@danteinferno6486]

awesome advice

[@kingromeo5738]

Muhammed Hassan had TONS of heat. And hes not even Arabian. t goes to show how much of a student he was for wrestling.

[@DarkSaber22]

King Romeo to be fair, the stars kind of aligned all cause he looked like an Arab and he was coming around right after 9/11

[@grangisjefe2564]

Super underrated performer

[@matthewrolle1524]

Also good heel heat would be trash talking the crowd's favorite superstar or the city you're in.

[@strat-oq1hx]

the miz , chris jericho at 2007 he talks about those guys

[@bruins37fan88]

Im turning heel tomorrow

[@grahammcrobert7141]

Triple H was a perfect heel to get a good reaction from the crowd

[@MrAlnMir]

Thing is heels should be more creative. They cheat too much, we are just bored of seeing them. I mean heels should win clean now and then but still do Douchy things in the middle of the match. Like play mind games.

[@TheNoirAlien]

Be a Bad Winner and Loser, good heel work.

[@ArtietheArchon]

"you'll be the most unpopular robot fighter since Sergeant Feces Processor."

[@xavierjamesthathd]

have you ever trained someone to become a wrestler and how can I find a trainer

[@newwaveknight1]

Find your closest local promotion, stick around and ask one of the wrestlers there. In a lot of local promotions they will train you. That's how I started and I've been training now since this April. Before you talk to them, make sure your cardio is up to par, because you're going to need to start doing cardio to be a wrestler.

[@xavierjamesthathd]

Thank you

[@kjmcdow8503]

Sasha banks and Bayley are awesome heel

[@TheFlyingSailorYT]

Roddy Piper was the professor of heel heat.

[@kjmcdow8503]

I'm a heel for the wrestling class

[@mikeycopenhaver4810]

That heeltrun

[@polacopeter73]

Check out this video on KZbin:

[@jwyld]

Great video and it's true heels aren't like they use to be

[@thadevilzadvocate]

They dumbed down the heels for the younger audience.

[@kingchrissama23]

Justin Credible uh hello mr.justin credible I really need your help how do I get in the WWE it's my dream I want to be an 18 time world heavyweight champion and beat do my best in the ring and my first match is going to be against Apollo Crews I don't really have a plane yet but I'll work on it please respon bye🤗

[@damianocconor8921]

CHRISSUPER SONIC work on the indy scene

[@jakeketter8764]

you're that one guy who faced my man CM Punk on his debut

[@blainjones2372]

jerry lawler the greatest heel ever

[@jmft1660]

heel heat doesnt work anymore. we dont care about seeing a guy we dislike getting beat when we know its scripted. The only heat that exists now is the get off my telly heat. Not the I want to see you get whooped heat.

[@mlaws11291]

Triple H got uber heat back in 99, or even more recently Jericho & Punk were able to generate big time heat

[@necro666lack]

That works in Mexico nowadays actually haha just don't be Mexican (or speak perfect English like myself since I'm Mexican but know perfect English) and throw tortillas in the crowd or hell even say you support their current president since he's hated by everyone there! BOOM! Instantly hated!

[@lagerbeer1974]

3 unlikes? Why?

[@rouge3031ify]

If I can be a Heel my stage name would be The Hypocrite Dexter Goodman. I would be like. I would never hit a man while he is down(Turn my back) Then suddenly rush the guy then poke his eyes

[@studmalexy]

crush your enemies,,see them driven before you..hear the lamentation of the women

[@jonhenning]

Justin credible was a heel but I felt it was X-poc heat. Sorry

[@STEJTHEGREATEST]

I used to wish I was good looking enough to be able to wear a shirt with a pic of myself on it. ;*(

[@ReliJazzBob]

Whats a heel? :\

[@fangsabre]

pretty much. the heel is the designated bad guy, the one who tears down the people the crowd loves to cheer. or even to the point that people cheer for their opponent because they hate the heel so much

[@dalevagoligo38]

some heels that did a good job of making me hate them... rowdy roddy piper (the coconut incident) Triple H (when he broke J.R's arm) Shawn Michaels (having a midget dress up like bret hart and beating him up) all these guys I didnt like already and those promos/stunts put me over the top, and I hated justin credible too when I used to watch ECW but not because of what he did I hated him cuz of his bucktooth face and he always had that hot chick by his side haha guess u can say I was jealous, hey thats just how my 13 yr old self rolled

[@Cherrybomb855]

Something to think about is be the worst possible person ever or be annoying

[@ahceda09]

Heel are not get any heat right now

[@STEJTHEGREATEST]

Do you ever wonder if portraying such an over-the-top, hate-filled, malevolent heel in ECW had an adverse, destructive effect on your real life? After all, they say the best wrestling characters benefit from the wrestler himself pouring aspects of his real personality into the gimmick, so-to-speak! And considering you had problems with alcoholism, and even came close to death once as you said in one of your videos, I can't help but wonder! I know there generally always has to be a villain in works of art and theatre, but often the line between art and reality can become irrevocably blurred! ;*(

[@Roodsteam]

wwe is trying this russian gimmick with putin on the big screen. evry american hats it. so it works

[@TheRealRehman]

Meh...being a heel is easy.

[@BruinsBeatCanucks]

Trump watched this

[@evanb1470]

I have been watching you wresting off and on now for a while. And until just now, I hadn't realized you are Hart trained. And now l know why I thought you had skills and talent.