10 of the Greatest Heels from the Golden Age of Wrestling Dec 23, 200811:37 PST
A bunch of movies open on Christmas Day this year. There’s one with Brad Pitt aging backwards, Samuel L. Jackson in a green screen graphic novel, and Tom Cruise tries to blow up Hitler with the success of Wile E. Coyote. What’s nearly lost in the crowd is the Oscar contender that came out in limited release last weekend: The Wrestler. Mickey Rourke debuts one of his oiliest roles yet, and to rave reviews. Of course, this is a perfect excuse to bring up 10 of my favorite heels from wrestling’s Golden Age, especially the 80s.
#10 Jake the Snake Roberts
Jake was truly one of the most ingenious heels in wrestling. He was a master of kayfabe to the extent that he even used his pets to take advantage of other wrestlers’ actual fear of snakes. He was rarely without his Burmese python, Damien, and in one infamous match he even allowed a cobra to bite Macho Man Randy Savage, to the stunned horror of the crowd. It was probably the only instance Savage’s life where the Slim Jim bit him.
No less than 5 racial stereotypes after the jump…
#9 Classy Freddie Blassie
Long before Mike Tyson took a bite out of Holyfield or Ozzie had a bat-tasting session, Fred Blassie made a name for himself as The Vampire because he was known for filing his teeth and biting people. Blassie was beating up pencil-necked geeks for nearly half a century, starting his career in the 1930s and making appearances for the WWF as late as 3 weeks before his death in 2003. Blassie was so hated as a heel that one of his matches was canceled when, despite his police escort, a riled up fan threw acid on his back.
#8 The Sheik
What would the 20th century be without ridiculous racial stereotypes? The Sheik, not to be confused later with The Iron Sheik, was actually a Lebanese-American, Ed Farhat, who played football at Michigan before becoming a crazy Syrian noble who didn’t speak any English and threw fireballs at his opponents. He was so into kayfabe that he would throw fireballs at fans who recognized him in public, and even insisted that his grandkids call him Grandpa Sheik.
#7 Rowdy Roddy Piper
The racial stereotypes weren’t only for non-Europeans. Rowdy Roddy Piper was a notoriously charismatic heel who made a name for himself with his kilt and Scottish temper, despite actually being from Winnipeg, Manitoba and having no real connection to Scotland. Hot Rod would often play opposite Hulk Hogan, and was known for his clever rule breaking and witty interviews. Besides having a horrible excuse for a Scottish accent, he was also crazy (see video).
#6 Ric Flair
To be the man, you gotta beat the man! Often regarded as one of the dirtiest players and definitely one of the flashiest, Ric Flair was an old school legend whose career came into fruition after a plane crash injury that forced him to change his style. He was an original flashy rich jerk before The Million Dollar Man came along and became an uber jerk. Flair constantly bragged about his expensive lifestyle and women just to get under your skin, and whenever he needed backup he would call in his Four Horsemen.
#5 The Iron Sheik
While most wrestlers created their kayfabe identities from scratch, The Iron Sheik actually was Iranian. Given the political climate of the 80s, he didn’t have to do anything bad other than be himself. Of course the huge mustache, Aladdin shoes, and gutra and igal helped his image. The Ayatollah character in The Wrestler is based on The Iron Sheik.
#4 Nikolai Volkoff
Volkoff would start his matches by insisting that everybody rise while he sang the Russian national anthem. Of course, the American crowds just ate up. He would partner with The Iron Sheik to make the perfect heels 20th century America: a Soviet and Iranian tag team aka “The Foreign Legion”. Volkoff’s schtick didn’t work as well after the end of the Cold War, so like most ex-commies he adjusted to capitalism by working for pennies under The Million Dollar Man. Today in the twilight of his fame, he sings the anthem and it still gets a great response.
#3 Abdullah the Butcher
Sticking with the Muslim stereotypes, The Madman from Sudan was actually Lawrence Shreve, a black guy from Windsor, Ontario (think Detroit). Weighing 360 pounds with a scary bald head and huge man-titties, Abdullah looked like an executioner without the mask. His favorite weapon was a fork (obviously a favorite tool when you weigh 360), and nearly all of his matches were marked by copious amounts of blood–from himself and his opponents.
#2 Gorgeous George
Gorgeous George Wagner deserves credit because decades before there were truly ridiculous characters, he put wrestling on the path to where it is today. In the 1940s, George created his image by becoming a pretty boy heel who entered the ring to Pomp and Circumstance (yeah, like you hear at graduation) and insisting that he be sprayed with perfume before he fought. This, of course, induced a healthy dose of outrage from his opponents and created quite a spectacle.
#1 The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase
He may not have been the meanest or most hated heel, but his vignettes and stunts are so hilarious that they slay me every time. Most of his stunts involved bribing people (with all of $500), demeaning volunteers with humiliating acts for paltry sums of money, or setting up some rigged game that only he would win. This poor kid, for example, is scarred for life. Today DiBiase is an evangelical minister, and his personal manservant, Virgil, is a math teacher in Pennsylvania.
- Written by: Daniel
- Category: Features
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December 24th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Where’s Jerry Lawler? Where’s Ray “The Crippler” Stevens? Yet somehow “The Sheik” makes it onto the list? This is an outrage!
December 24th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
My heart just broke in half watching The Million Dollar Man video - that poor little kid!
December 25th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I met DiBiase at a hotel restaurant in Alabama several years back. We sat at the table next to him and got to talking. He was pushing vitamins and supplements and he mentioned that these ‘cured’ his back and hip problems. I told him he got body slammed too many times and thought he was about to come across the table.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:47 am
No Nick Bockwinkel? Sgt. Slaughter should be an honorable mention since they changed WM 7 location just because they were afraid of murder attempts.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Where are the Fabulous Freebirds ?
From Backstreet, Atl. Ga.
Michael P.S. Hayes, Mr. Freebird himself.
The seventies were the best.
Best tag-team heels in the business.
January 7th, 2009 at 8:48 am
That’s not the most famous of the DiBiase challenge skits - there’s another one with a kid where he makes the kid kiss his feet.
No big deal, right? Well, not until you find out the kid was a young Rob Van Dam….
January 7th, 2009 at 9:02 am
The Big Cat, Ernie Ladd, could rile up crowds as good as any. Constantly calling WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas “Uncle Tom” way back then probably would not be allowed today.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:04 am
@Stephen
Is there a link for that video?!
When I wrote this I also found one with an older guy kissing Virgil’s foot. Too funny.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Mr Perfect not the best heel ever? You must be joking
January 7th, 2009 at 9:56 am
King Kong Bundy that is who is missing
January 7th, 2009 at 10:02 am
What abotu the Road Warriors???
January 7th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Ric Flair at number 6 of all time? He carried a whole company on his back and almost started a riot every time him and the 4 horsemen would beat up Dusty Rhodes.
January 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
don’t you mean Badstreet USA?
January 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
You totally forgot the best heel ever!
George “The Animal” Steel.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Killer Kowalski!
January 7th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Andre the Giant anyone??????
January 7th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
If it were not for andre the Giant there would not be a Hulk Hogan
January 7th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
This List should begin and End with Capt. Lou Albano!!!!!!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
How can u not have Ravishing Ric Rude on there? His promos where legendary!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Flair not number 1 ?!!! Incredible.
Johnny Valentine should be on the list as well as the Anderson brothers, Gene and Ole. They didn’t break the rules so much, but the fans hated them with a passion just the same. When you can generate hatred without resorting to rule breaking, you have A+ heels.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
And another thing. Pipers best work wasn’t with that no talent egomaniac Hogan. His greatest work was in the Mid-Atlantic and Georgia promotions before he went to the WWWF. He and Flair had a fued in the Mid-Atlantic that was pure poetry.
January 7th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
It’s time for the flower shop… with Adorable Adrian!
January 7th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
What about Colonel Debeers? He pretended to be South African during apartheid and would refuse to wrestle anyone black. BIG racial stereotype. I thought the crowd was gonna climb into the ring after him for his comments to Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka once.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
How can this list be published with out even mentioning Vince McMahon??? Best heel ever, not to mention the funniest.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Jet flyin’, limo ridin’…Space Mountain… Flair is The Man.
First heel I ever cheered for. Loved to watch the Four Horsemen pummel the R&R Express. The list is little WWF biased but in the 70’s and 80’s even the big leagues were somewhat regional. I grew up in Charlotte, his adopted hometown and Jim Crockett productions. I think the NWA started here but anyway… cool site, I’m sure your hit count is up after being linked by SI.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
The Fabulous Kangaroos forever! Classy, nasty and could they ever wrestle! The best bad guys in mat history. Waltzing Matilda, mates!
January 7th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
These are all great names. I grew up watching “Dick the Bruiser” and his cousin “The Crusher” on Bob Luce Wrestling, right before going to church on Sundays. Baron Von Rashke with his goose-stepping and giving the Nazi salute (not to mention his patented move, The Claw) was awesome!
January 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I’ll always remember Playboy Buddy Rose and Stan Staziak, the latter for the infamous “heart punch.” Good times!
January 7th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
dudes … you cannot even start (or finish) the column without leading off with the Chief … yes that Chief … Chief Wahoo McDaniels!!!
WAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
January 8th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Some great names from the 70’s. But the biggest heel during that time was Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. I remember him breaking Billy White Cloud’s peace pipe one time and that turned into the biggest bloodbath I ever saw!
February 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Jake The Snake admitted that the snake was never supposed to actually bite The Macho Man. At that point in his life, he was an alcoholic, so he just went out there and said “F**k it!”
I remember that Million Dollar Man clip! I loved how he’s put people to sleep with the “Milion Dollar Dream” then stick money in their mouths! That’s some cold business right there!
Ravishing Rick Rude had a cool bad guy gimmick, too.
April 9th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
maybe paul orndorff should get a mention and as the other fella said the wreserling genious mr nick bockwinkle he was light years ahead of his time smashing site by the way
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Rick flair is the best and always ensures his viewers are entertained.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO