The archetype of the ‘Babyface’ character has sustained wrestling since its inception. This figure embodies the hero, the protagonist, and has evolved through various manifestations over time, ranging from the ‘study hard’ role models to the sassy tough guys. However, regardless of its transformation, the Babyface remains an essential element that keeps the WWE’s energy burning.
Let’s reminisce about the wrestlers who significantly contributed to the company over the years, and they achieved this by being the ones the audience adored and cheered for.
10.
The Ultimate Warrior
An Experience More Than A Wrestler
Regardless of who the man hidden under the mask truly is, there’s no denying that The Ultimate Warrior was incredibly popular during his peak career years.
Though he may not have shined in the boxing ring, it was irrelevant; his grand entrance, the selected tune, and the enthusiastic audience response were nothing short of electrifying.
With an electrifying entrance, the warrior ignited the audience’s enthusiasm, and despite a relatively restricted repertoire of ring maneuvers, the moment he hoisted his opponent for the Gorilla Press Slam, culminating in the Splash, the crowd was fully invested.
Although his reign as a top wrestler was relatively short-lived, there’s no denying that his impact reverberates through history.
9.
Goldberg
You Had To Be There
It seems people enjoy claiming Goldberg wasn’t skilled in wrestling or impressive in the ring, but I strongly disagree with that assessment as I find such a statement utterly baseless.
Apologies, but excluding another well-known figure with a similar hairstyle and beard who appears later in our roster, Goldberg was the prominent figure during the late ’90s instead.
Goldberg made quite an impact in WCW, with his matches leaving the crowd in near-hysterics. When he moved to WWE, this didn’t lessen, even though his stay was short-lived. It was a thrilling experience. If you doubt me, take a look at his performance at the Elimination Chamber.
The crowd erupts with excitement as he decisively defeats all the leading figures in the company at that time. In his comeback to WWE during the late 2010s, he managed to maintain the audience’s support, irrespective of who he was facing.
There’s no denying that the appearance and charisma to create a compelling fight are important factors, and Goldberg certainly embodied toughness in an appealing way. Watching him demolish opponents was simply thrilling.
8.
Shawn Michaels
A Tale of Two Careers
Shawn Michaels is often regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers ever, with numerous people considering him the top entertainer within the ring throughout history.
During the 90s, HBK reached astronomical fame when he defeated Bret Hart to claim the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 13. This stardom expanded further, mostly playing the villainous role of a “heel” character in professional wrestling.
At the end of the 90s, he made things slightly unclear by creating Degeneration X, which wasn’t like traditional babyface stables at all. Yet, despite this difference, the crowds remained enthusiastic about him.
For a period of four years, his career was threatened due to a back injury. However, between the years 2002 and 2010, he experienced a revival in the WWE, becoming a well-liked character known for being one of the most regularly admired figures within the company.
In the heat of the game, there’s nothing quite like HBK to stir up cheers. When it comes to weaving tales within the ring, Shawn is unmatched. He breathed life into every struggle and fight, making it feel real in a way I’ve never seen anyone else do. It’s no surprise that some of the most legendary matches ever played have Shawn Michaels as a key player.
7.
Macho Man Randy Savage
Oh, Yeah
It’s common for a specific name or image to pop up when we consider the concept of a wrestler.
In my opinion, he was none other than the flamboyant wrestler, Randy Savage, known as Macho Man. With his extravagant attire, contagious grin, memorable phrases, and electrifying promos, he truly stood out.
Instead of being identical to Hulk Hogan, he had all his characteristic traits but with an additional skill: captivating performances in the ring. He made the Flying Elbow from the top rope famous and was known for consistently delivering some of the most thrilling matches that were broadcast on television.
To clarify, he frequently switched between playing the villain and hero roles, yet when he embodied the hero character, the audience would go wild for him.
100 years from now, Randy Savage (also known as Macho Man) will undoubtedly remain a familiar figure in many homes. This fact itself speaks volumes about the significant impact he made as a star. Regrettably, he left us prematurely, but his legacy continues to endure.
6.
Cody Rhodes
The New Face
In the current period, there was a strong demand within the WWE for a new hero (Babyface) to rise. With Roman Reigns solidifying his role as the powerful villain (heel) and Seth Rollins frequently switching between the roles, a genuine hero was required.
Instead, it would appear not from within our ranks, but as a reemergence of a mid-card talent who was previously overlooked, now transformed into an unavoidable attraction.
Upon Cody’s WWE comeback in 2022, the audience response instantly demonstrated his meteoric rise to stardom. This reaction was nothing short of astonishing, and it has persisted, unabated, for over two years now.
By 2024, his rivalry with Roman Reigns and The Rock served as the ignition for WWE to reinvent wrestling as a trendy spectacle once more. The “Finish the Story” plotline became the most talked-about topic globally in sports, even attracting ESPN’s involvement.
For a while now, Cody has been beloved by fans as the WWE’s most radiant performer, and it appears that an up-and-coming star is poised to take over from John Cena, defying all expectations.
5.
Bret Hart
The Hitman Had it All
Bret “The Hitman” Hart was instrumental in wrestling during the 1990s and beyond. He played a pivotal role in nurturing the next wave of wrestlers, and he excelled at this task exceptionally well.
He embodied the classic image of a champion wrestler, earning titles, promoting merchandise, and giving away his sunglasses to children in the audience.
In the New Generation Era, his uplifting promos made me an instant fan. He emphasized the importance of dedication and resilience, which was a refreshing change from many other wrestlers who seemed to lack sense or intelligence.
Bret excelled at playing the heroic role in numerous famous rivalries, including those with Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Yokozuna.
Although he hails from Canada, he was embraced as if he were an American legend. After assuming control from Hulk Hogan, he remained the primary attraction of the company for quite some time.
Bret eventually switched to playing the villain when he got into a conflict with Steve Austin (Stone Cold), which was partly due to the audience’s love for Stone Cold’s anti-hero persona. However, he continued to be a significant figure in the main event scenes until his disappointing exit after the infamous Montreal Screwjob incident.
4.
John Cena
The Champ is Here
As a devoted admirer, I’ve always found John Cena to be an intriguing conundrum when discussing endearing Babyfaces. Over the past two decades, he’s been a staple in the WWE, consistently embodying the role of a face for its entirety… until recently, that is.
However, the extent to which he was genuinely adored varies based on whom you consult. Children cherished him, women found affection for him, but men harbored dislike towards him.
Due to the varied responses when John Cena retired his Doctor of Thuganomics persona, it became challenging to determine whether he was a fan favorite (face) or a villain (heel).
Despite the public’s response fluctuating, he was consistently the star of the show. It was perplexing because he received thunderous applause for his promotional speeches, which were always impressive, yet he was met with boos as soon as his entrance theme played.
In an unprecedented event, split evenly among spectators, some enthusiastically cheered, “Onward, Cena!”, while others vehemently countered with, “Cena’s not good.” Regardless of the sentiment, Cena consistently elicits a response.
People are always eager to encourage him or show their disapproval, making him a unique spectacle in this aspect. This dynamic has significantly contributed to his remarkable career as a villain in the spotlight.
3.
The Rock
The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment
During approximately five years with the WWE, The Rock didn’t just play a Babyface role; he fundamentally changed the very essence of what it meant to embody such a character. With his brash attitude, arrogant demeanor, and penchant for luxurious clothing, one might think this behavior was far from that associated with a Babyface, wouldn’t they?
Interestingly, by embodying everything that epitomizes a great heel character, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ended up being the public figurehead of the company in numerous aspects, as fans cheered for him just as loudly whether he was inside the ring or addressing them through the microphone.
As I navigated through the Attitude Era of gaming, it felt like the world had flipped. Characters that were once seen as cool were now passé, while the cheesy, superhero types were out. But in this upside-down landscape, The Rock stood out. His undeniable charm and hints of heelishness struck a chord with me, making him an unforgettable figure of the era.
After leaving professional wrestling for good, The Rock has made several comebacks, and each time his theme song plays, it creates one of the most thunderous audience reactions in history.
Beyond debate now, it’s indisputable that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson holds the title as the most famous professional wrestler ever. His fame has transcended wrestling rings and propelled him into one of the wealthiest individuals globally, thanks to his successful acting career.
2.
Hulk Hogan
Hulkamania Ran Wild
Please note that this ranking reflects the audience’s response during the matches, not their political views or personal lives. It’s simply about the wrestlers’ performance and popularity at the given moment.
Without a doubt, it’s clear that Hulk Hogan played a pivotal role in popularizing wrestling on a global scale. During the 1980s, his performances laid the foundation for the worldwide phenomenon that the WWE ultimately became in the late 1990s.
His captivating personality, more significant than life itself, burst through television screens, captivating children and adults alike with his electrifying promos. As soon as his famous theme music played, you could feel the buildings tremble from the enthusiasm of the audience.
He has experienced numerous memorable incidents, ranging from taking down Andre the Giant in a body slam to his rivalries with The Ultimate Warrior and Macho Man Randy Savage.
After joining WCW, he drastically changed the perception of being a villain, yet later returned to the WWE as a hero, still garnering unprecedented audience responses even in his fifties.
Regardless of the specific factor – be it his appearance, promotional materials, or overall charisma – this man had a strong following among those who identified as wrestling enthusiasts.
1.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
The Toughest SOB In The WWE
Back in the good old days of wrestling, during the Attitude Era, I was living life as the Rattlesnake, embodying chaos like no other on the WWE roster. That era was all about challenging authority and breaking the rules – it was a wild ride!
During this bold period, Steve served as an iconic figure, and when it comes to empathizing with a character, there has arguably been no stronger connection than with the working-class hero who relentlessly sought to retaliate against his overbearing supervisor.
Watching his conflicts with legends such as Bret Hart, Vince McMahon, Triple H, and The Rock was a must on television, and the excitement that erupted, and continues even now when the glass shattered, is something you have to hear to truly believe.
Among all wrestlers I can recall, only one seemed poised for a villainous (heel) phase, yet this was swiftly and decisively vetoed, with the creative team choosing to alter their plans instead. The reason audiences couldn’t boo Austin was because, in numerous aspects, he laid the groundwork for the era that catapulted wrestling into the mainstream popularity it enjoys today.
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2025-05-21 19:11