In professional wrestling, a “heel” refers to a character or performer who portrays a villain or antagonist role within a storyline. The term “heel” is derived from the idea that this character is the “bad guy” or the one the audience is meant to dislike. The opposite of a heel is a “babyface,” which is a term used for a character or performer who plays the role of the hero or protagonist.

Here are some characteristics and traits commonly associated with heel characters in wrestling:

• Antagonistic Behavior:
  • Heels are known for displaying antagonistic, aggressive, or morally questionable behavior. They often engage in rule-breaking tactics, such as cheating or using underhanded methods to gain an advantage in matches.
• Trash-Talking:
  • Heels frequently engage in trash-talking, both verbally and through their actions. They may insult the audience, other wrestlers, or authority figures to generate heat (negative reaction) from the crowd.
• Rule Violations:
  • Heels are not afraid to break the rules during matches, whether it’s through illegal holds, interference from outside individuals, or the use of foreign objects. This behavior is intended to generate frustration and anger among the fans.
• Arrogance and Egotism:
  • Heel characters often display arrogance and egotism, believing themselves to be superior to others. This trait contributes to their unlikeable persona.
• Alignment with Villainous Groups:
  • Some heels align themselves with villainous factions or groups, forming alliances that work together to achieve common goals. These groups often engage in collective rule-breaking.
• Disrespectful Gestures:
  • Heels may use disrespectful gestures or taunts, both in and out of the ring, to provoke a negative reaction from the audience.
• Manipulative Tactics:
  • Heels are known for their ability to manipulate situations to their advantage. This can involve manipulating other characters, exploiting weaknesses, or creating alliances and then betraying them.
• Promo Skills:
  • Heel performers are typically skilled in delivering compelling promos (speeches or interviews) that further emphasize their villainous character and generate reactions from the audience.

The portrayal of heels and baby faces is part of the scripted nature of professional wrestling. The goal is to create engaging storylines and characters that elicit emotional responses from the audience. Wrestlers may switch between heel and babyface roles at different points in their careers, and the dynamics between characters can evolve over time based on the storytelling needs of the promotion.