Guest Steve J. Rogers Report post Posted May 1, 2002 An off shoot of all the best heels and faces, here are a top 5. BTW shouldn't nessecarilly be factored by how successfull the run is/was just by the magnitude of the moment: 1) Hogan turns on Savage, Sting and WCW and turns nWo Got to rank as the biggest OMGHMFS turn in modern history 2) HHH and Chyna pull a Russo swerve on Kane and X-Pac. Even though it had Vinny-Ru's hand prints all over it, it was a pretty sweet series of events that led to the destruction of the original D-X and the beginning of "The Game" character 3) Austin-Bret slow burn to a double turn The drama built up so greatly it did seem like it really was two generations of wrestling greats battling for control and wrestling's future, won of course by the younger lion representing the Attitude era that was comming to past, pushing aside the archaic, 80's style of "The New Generation" 4) Curt Henning's perfect turn on the Horsemen Yeah it was one of those turns you could see weeks before but the impact of the moment was great. 5) Handshake of Doom, Austin and McMahon Now THIS is what I'm talking about with magnitude of the moment. Sure Austin was getting pops at that moment, and for subsequent months but just for one instant which ended a chapter in the Austin vs McMahon storyline (and began a new one) it was one hell of a sight Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 1, 2002 The "rebirth of ECW" swerve during the otherwise hideous Alliance angle was one of my favorite moments. I squealed like a drunk cheerleader on prom night. Paul Orndorff's betrayal of Hogan back in the 80's is supposed to be one of the greatest heel turns of all time. Sadly, that came before my days as a wrestling fan. 1995, when Flair and Anderson had their falling out, and everyone was feeling sorry for Flair because Anderson and "That Bastard!" Brian Pillman kept thugging him out. So he went crawling to Sting and begged him to help him out, one time only. Sting was skeptical but naturally accepted. End Result: Sting gets hung out to dry, and the Horsemen of 1995, the last great lineup (Flair, Anderson, Pillman, and Benoit) is formed. I always really dug that whole turn. Andy Kaufmann's turn on Jerry Lawler in his last match. After a year of Andy's antics, he had a falling out with Jimmy Hart. He begs Lawler to tag up with him one time against Hart and whoever. Kaufmann's promises he'll never wrestle again if Lawler does this for him. Match rolls around, Lawler cleans some house, then Kaufmann sneaks in and throws powder in Lawler's eyes, and Lawler gets thugged by Hart's boy(s) while Andy and Jimmy cheerlead. Hot damn but I dug that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest converge241 Report post Posted May 1, 2002 my top 5: hogan at bash at the beach. you could almost see it coming but so great. fanst totally bullshit. The Rock swerve at Survivor Series 98. great storytelling. i didnt see it coming, especially with rock flirting with face status in the weeks before. Savage making the megapowers. Elizabeth goes to Hogan to save Savage from Honky. great stuff when i was a kid and still holds up as effective. The Alliance creation. The night ECW retuned in particular. I marked out when I realized all the guys who "ran out for the save" were ex ECW guys, as were the other guys in the ring..and then Paul tells off JR.. too bad the botched the whole thing.. starting with ANOTHER swerve in the same night..and then steph...oh well, cant ruin that brief moment. Bonus points for Bubba Ray to Farooq after losing tag team belts, and the APA offer them a rematch. Dudley "tell me later tonight if you want a rematch!".. while APA look on puzzled. Foreshadowing without giving it away. WM13: Austin-Bret subtle but effective. Bret's hate the USA character is still one of the best heels ever. good topic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Chief Slappaho Report post Posted May 1, 2002 My favorites were the Owen heel turn in 1994 and the Bret heel turn in 1997. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Zack Malibu Report post Posted May 1, 2002 I agree with the '95 Flair turn, and the Austin/Bret "slow turn" My picks would have to be British Bulldog's turn on Diesel (just came out of nowhere, and surprised the hell out of me), Undertaker's face turn in late '91/early '92, The Rockers breakup on The Barber Shop, and Rick Steiner's face turn and feud against the Varsity Club. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mole Report post Posted May 1, 2002 This happened when I was 8, so it kinda shocked me. When Sid turned on Hogan, and didn't tag in to him. Setting up the match for Wrestlemania 8. The Rock turn at Survior Series caught me by surprise also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oldschoolwrestling Report post Posted May 1, 2002 You guys have all mentioned good ones that I agree with. One oldschool one: Flair is getting beatdown by the Russians (Nikita, Ivan, Krusher) in a cage and his old nemesis Dusty Rhodes comes in and saves him. So how does Flair thank him? By having the 4 Horsemen come in and break his leg. The Rock N Roll Express and a bunch of other faces try to make the save but the Horsemen keep them from getting in the ring and keep pummeling Rhodes. One of my favorite moments in wrestling history. I was totally marking out for this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Singular Report post Posted May 1, 2002 Rock and Mankind had a cool little double turn at Survivor Series. Austin's heel turn was awesome. The visual of Vince and Austin shaking hands was really smooth. Bret Hart and Austin was a really cool double turn. Rick Flair turning on Sting in a tag match. Can't remember when but Flair had been begging Sting to team with him and Sting refused. Finally Sting said yes and they had their tag match. I want to say it was against the horseman, but I'm not sure. Anyways, Sting finally tags flair who tags in and starts beating on Sting. supprised the hell outa me, but I guess it was Flair so it shouldn't have. Owen Hart kicking Bret's leg "out from his leg" after their tag match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 1, 2002 Mega Powers Explode. Hogan & Savage vs Akeem & Bossman on a Saturday Nights Main Event (I believe). Savage turned on Hogan and beat the crap out of him in the lockerroom because he had carried Elizabeth to the back after she had been floored. That was a sweet turn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest the 1inch punch Report post Posted May 1, 2002 The Rockers - OHMYGOD Marty Jannetty just jumped through a window!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted May 1, 2002 1. Bret Hart/Steve Austin Double Turn 2. Hulk Hogan Joins NWO 3. Andre The Giant Heel Turn 4. Terry Funk's Heel Turn in 1989 5. Randy Savage's Heel Turn on Hulk Hogan in 1989 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly Report post Posted May 1, 2002 Damn, heel/face turns used to actually mean something. Don't forget Andre turning on Heenan. Heenan was in his face yelling,"I'm the fucking boss!" Andre whooped his ass after Heenan slapped him. How did the Hart Foundation turn face? I remember hating them and then loving them seemingly out of nowhere. They were the ones holding Macho Man when HTM smashed him with guitar on SNME. When did they turn? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest razazteca Report post Posted May 1, 2002 Mr Perfect turn on Ric Flair was one of the funniest thing I have ever seen. Randy Savage was being interviewed on who his tag partner would be for the Survivor Series '92 against Flair & Razor Ramon. At the table of Prime Time Wrestling? was Vince, Heenan, Perfect, then Savage said his Perfect partner would be Curt Henning, Hennen started to call Henning names, and telling him not to double cross Flair. So Henning roughed him up alittle and cool The Brain down by pooring water on his head. It was funny how Heenan went from being mad to begging Mr Perfect not to double cross Flair and not to hurt him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest papacita Report post Posted May 1, 2002 HBK's superkick on the Rock from the 1st Smackdown. I had been saying since that July that HBK was heading for a heel turn and nobody believed me, and the way it happened was nice as hell. HHH's turn on X-Pac: Didn't see that coming. Rock from Survivor Series 98: SAVED that PPV. ECW reunion: No explanation necessary I hope. Undertaker's original face turn from 92: This was back at the time when I was scared to death of Taker, so that turn caught me way off guard. Great storytelling too. At the end of SNME, Randy Savage and Liz were going to the back, when the camera cut backstage and showed Jake Roberts waiting with a chair. The show went off the air and we had to wait til Prime Time Wrestling to find out that Taker had saved them. What made it crazier was that Jake and Taker had been working together since Jake's heel turn. I loved that one. Austin/Bret double turn: Nuff said. Chyna's turn on HHH for the Corporation: I HATED HHH back then. 95 Halloween Havoc's Horsemen turn. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 1, 2002 I haven't been watching wrestling that long, so this is "newer-school"...I suppose it might not even be counted as a "turn" either, but...One of my favorite moments was right after the Radicalz' debut when they turned on Cactus Jack. (HHH: "You four can show your appreciation for the man who gave you the opportunity...to the man who gave you...your CONTRACTS!" JR: "What?...OHMAGOD!" *huge beatdown ensues*) That turn was weird because it meant that the four of them actually had JOBS in the WWF...so the crowd was booing, but it was like a relieved booing. This of course led to the awesome 10-man tag match, and then months of the Radicalz beating people down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted May 1, 2002 Thr problem with the Radical turn was that they waite WAY to long after HHH said "contracts" It had to be thirty seconds before the beatdown Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 1, 2002 Thr problem with the Radical turn was that they waite WAY to long after HHH said "contracts" It had to be thirty seconds before the beatdown Hmmm, I disagree. It was a bit slow-paced, but [insert DDP quote here]. Fortunately, I have the videotape right here to prove my point! HHH: "The fact is, I take what I want, when I want it. And right now, I want a piece of your ass! (10 sec. pause as HHH climbs onto the apron, announcers yammer) Now...the four of you have got two choices. You can either get your asses out of this ring, and save yourselves a beatin'...(2 sec. pause) Or you can show your appreciation, to the man that gave you the opportunity. (6 sec. pause while HHH climbs through the ropes; King: "What?" JR: "What's he talkin' about?") To the man that gave you...your contracts! (About 5 sec. as Cactus Jack turns around...and Chris Benoit pounds him, quickly joined by Dean Malenko. CUE THE BEATDOWN! ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheHulkster Report post Posted May 2, 2002 <~~~~ Best turn ever I also marked out when Fuji turned on Demolition. Savage turning face at WM7 is one of the best moments in WM history. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oldschoolwrestling Report post Posted May 2, 2002 <~~~~ Best turn ever Savage turning face at WM7 is one of the best moments in WM history. The only PPV I've ever been to live. A pretty boring ppv, but that was a sweet moment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JHawk Report post Posted May 2, 2002 But what about Ernie Ladd turning on Cowboy Bob Ellis? Actually, that one shows up on ESPN Classic on occasion, and it's actually the funniest turn ever as Ellis and Tex McKenzie are bitching about the turn before the match was shown. I mean, it's bitch about the turn, show the match, and sound shocked at the turn as it airs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Austin3164life Report post Posted May 2, 2002 1. Bret Hart/Steve Austin Double Turn 2. Hulk Hogan Joins NWO 3. Andre The Giant Heel Turn 4. Terry Funk's Heel Turn in 1989 5. Randy Savage's Heel Turn on Hulk Hogan in 1989 Exactly the list I was going to pick out (just not in the same order, but close enough)....... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 2, 2002 Hey, what about Tatanka's turn at Summerslam 94? I have to admit, it was a bit surprising to me at the time. They built up the whole 'Lex appearing to join the Million Dollar Corporation', only to have Tatanka go with Ted Dibiase instead. Hey, I enjoyed it. "Fooled ya Lex.....Fooled ya and the whole stinkin' country!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 2, 2002 How many of you saw the "Vince McMahon is the Higher Power" coming? I remember being in the official wwf.com chat room sometime a few days before it was revealed, and everyone had a different theory. The most popular, actually, was not Vince but HBK. It surprised me because it was almost TOO predictable. But seeing as how many people I knew didn't see it coming, I'd say that was a good swerve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 2, 2002 Andy Kaufmann's turn on Jerry Lawler in his last match. After a year of Andy's antics, he had a falling out with Jimmy Hart. He begs Lawler to tag up with him one time against Hart and whoever. Kaufmann's promises he'll never wrestle again if Lawler does this for him. Match rolls around, Lawler cleans some house, then Kaufmann sneaks in and throws powder in Lawler's eyes, and Lawler gets thugged by Hart's boy(s) while Andy and Jimmy cheerlead. Hot damn but I dug that. Was that Andys last appearance ever in wrestling? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MixxMaster Report post Posted May 2, 2002 Actually, as an RVD mark, I feel one of the best was his match against Bam Bam Bigelo. He started out as an arrogant, cocky little heel, that the crowd hated, and by the end of the match, the RVD chants ERUPTED. And his LONG title reign had begun...All without any mic work, all on the great match. In fact, this is one match I will always have in my video collection... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NoCalMike Report post Posted May 2, 2002 When Francine turned on Pitbull #2(Pitbulls), and the ensuing chaos that went on was pretty cool. HBK superkicking Janetty through the barbershop window was pretty damn intense, especially after he made it look like they were back on good terms. Stevie turning on Raven in ECW started out cool, but right when it started, both left for WCW so it went nowhere unfortunately. Bam Bam turning on Balls Mahoney to join the triple threat came out of nowhere. The Austin heel turn(shaking hands with McMahon) as mentioned before, was pretty damn mezmorizing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest converge241 Report post Posted May 2, 2002 How many of you saw the "Vince McMahon is the Higher Power" coming? I was there live at the Fleet Center for that show (The raw a little after Over The Edge (owen RIP). where Linda gave Austin the CEO title, and Big Show put Taker through the ring). Me and my friends were positive it was going to be Jake Roberts, one last run on a short leash, so he could use his great speaking skills. Some people thought Raven... A couple fans were yelling and screaming that it was going to be Mike Tyson... when they revealed it, everyone groaned in the arena! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 2, 2002 How did the Hart Foundation turn face? I remember hating them and then loving them seemingly out of nowhere. They were the ones holding Macho Man when HTM smashed him with guitar on SNME. When did they turn? Bad News Brown turned on Bret Hart during the Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 4. Bret/Austin has to be the best. Hogan; nWo Bash 96 Rock, Survivor Series 98 Shawn Michaels @ Summerslam 97. Cost Taker the match and the title against Bret Hart and everyone turned against him. Not sure if they wanted to turn him heel but it happen after all the fans started booing him. Jake Roberts turning on the Warrior. Taker turning on Roberts Savage; WM7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest tank_abbott Report post Posted May 2, 2002 I still vividly remember Vince McMahon's "OH NO!" When Orndorff clotheslined Hogan outta nowhere, and the Heenan Family interview after: "Wonderful! Wonderful! (X 5)+ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JHawk Report post Posted May 2, 2002 The Orndorff turn was great, but this is something that always confused me. IIRC, and I was only 7 so I might be wrong, Orndorff turned because Hogan was no-showing their workouts. So how the fuck is Orndorff the bad guy? Because he had a work ethic? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
