TNA has seen some great heel turns throughout its two-decade-plus history. Not only were these heel turns well executed, but they also shocked fans to the core — which is hard to pull in this age of social media.
There’s no denying that the company has created compelling television off of shocking betrayals and disastrous ends to alliances. Taking into account the shock factor, as well as the impact on a storyline, let’s take a look at some of the best heel turns in TNA history.
Davey Richards costs Eddie Edwards the title (IMPACT Wrestling – February 9, 2017)
Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards arrived at the IMPACT Zone in 2014. The tag team specialists soon became the best tag team in TNA. Their matches against the likes of Team 3D and the Hardyz won them critical acclaim.
However, Richards would eventually grow jealous of Edwards to the point he cost his tag team partner the world title match against Lashley. The painful end to their years-long friendship would kick off a great rivalry.
Jeff Hardy is Immortal (TNA Bound for Glory 2010)
Jeff Hardy was never truly viewed as a heel by fans, even when he was part of The New Brood during the Attitude Era. Hardy would also rejoin TNA in 2010 as a babyface alongside Hulk Hogan and Eric Bishoff.
The Daredevil would find himself in a world title match alongside Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson at Bound for Glory. The shock of the night came when Hardy took out Angle with a crutch, revealing himself to be in collusion with Hogan and Bischoff.
This was truly a shocking moment, which saw a longtime fan favorite join the dark side. Hardy, Hogan and Bischoff would be joined by Abyss and Jeff Jarrett as members of the long-teased Immortal stable.
Christian jams Sting’s head with a guitar (Hard Justice 2006)
Christian was arguably the most popular babyface when he showed up in TNA more than two decades ago. Captain Charisma would decline Scott D’Amore’s offer to join Team Canada by putting him away with a Killswitch.
However, Christian would finally show his true colors during Sting’s world title match with Jeff Jarrett at Hard Justice 2006. The former tag team specialist would plan Sting with a guitar mid-air to allow Jarrett to retain his title.
Bobby Roode makes his decision (IMPACT – November 3, 2011)
James Storm versus Bobby Roode is considered one of the best rivalries in TNA history. At the core of this feud was Roode’s jealousy toward his Beer Money Inc. partner. Storm did what Roode was never able to do. The Cowboy had managed to beat Kurt Angle for the title in mere minutes.
To prove that he was a fighting champion, Storm put his world title on the line against Roode on the November 3, 2011, edition of IMPACT Wrestling. After all his attempts to put away the champion failed, Roode resorted to using the tactic that had won Beer Money multiple world titles.
He struck Storm’s head with a beer bottle to the shock of fans on the IMPACT Zone. Beer Money was done for good. Both men would spend the next few months beating the life out of each other, delivering Match of the Year contenders in the process.
Bully Ray shocks the world (TNA LockDown 2013)
The Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff era of TNA Wrestling had its flaws. That being said, it gave fans arguably the best heel turn in company history when Bully Ray revealed himself as the President of Aces & Eights.
The infamous moment took place in the main event of Lockdown 2013. Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy found themselves surrounded by members of the faction inside the cage. Disaster struck when Ray hit Hardy in the back to reveal himself as the mastermind behind it all.
The crowd was stunned. Hulk Hogan, who was at ringside, couldn’t believe his eyes. The angle lead to one of the best heel runs in TNA history. Ray would enjoy two world title reigns during his run as the main man of Aces & Eights.
Honorable Mentions
- Matt Hardy
- AJ Styles
- Homicide
- Samoa Joe
- Don West
Also read: 5 Best AEW Heel Turns
