5 WWE superstars who were successful as both a face and a heel

Some WWE superstars are natural-born babyfaces, while others were made to be heels. Some stars capture hearts with their likeability, determination and spirit, receiving cheers in every arena they perform.

Other superstars inspire intense dislike in the audience with ruthlessness and dishonesty, often receiving jeers and boos as they perform. The moment a superstar turns face or heel can define their career.

The Attitude Era gave rise to the popularity of anti-hero characters such as Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Texas rattlesnake and others such as The Rock and Becky Lynch were so beloved that they still got cheered despite playing heel characters.

However, there are some superstars who have managed to excel in either role. These men and women have mastered the dying art of swaying the crowd from pure disdain to extreme adoration.

Here are five superstars who were successful as both heels and faces in the WWE:

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#5: Triple H has built a legendary WWE career on seamless transition between face and heel

Triple H's WWE career has been one of great versatility. He has been a part of some of the most ruthless factions as well as the most popular. The Cerebral Assassin's rise with D-Generation X in the late 90s made him one of the most popular Superstars in the company, becoming a 2-time WWF Champion.

When he turned heel and formed the McMahon-Helmsley dynasty, he stayed on top of the card, winning more WWF championships. During this period, he feuded with a face Stone Cold Steve Austin, later tagging with his heel version, doing some of the best work of his career.

During later stints with Evolution, D-Generation X and The Authority, The King of Kings would successfully turn multiple times. The key to his amazing believability in both pro and anti-authority roles is usually his real-life familial connection with the McMahons.

#4: WWE Superstar Bayley won world titles as heel and face

For the first 7 years of Bayley's WWE career, she was the ultimate babyface. Her hugger persona was one of the most beloved in the entire company. Her childlike smile, brightly colored attire and plucky never-give-up attitude in the ring often earned her the loudest cheers of the night.

She had a very successful career in NXT and on the main roster, winning the NXT, RAW and Smackdown women's championships. On September 2, 2019, the unthinkable folded before our eyes.

The then Smackdown Women's champion attacked her RAW counterpart Becky Lynch to the shock and disbelief of the hugger section. She continued to display increasingly heelish behavior until she turned fully on the October 11 episode of Smackdown.

Sporting a new look, she destroyed her signature "Bayley buddies" and went on to regain her Smackdown title. As a heel, she became the longest-reigning Smackdown Women's champion, even holding the tag team titles simultaneously for a while.

As part of the Boss-n-Hug connection, she carried much of the Thunderdome era, whether using underhanded tactics to beat Asuka or bullying Michael Cole. Unfortunately, injury cut short her heel run but there is no doubt that she was as excellent a heel as she was a face.

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#3: Kurt Angle always had the WWE Universe in the palm of his hands

When WWE signed Kurt Angle, no one could have predicted how fast he would get over with the WWE Universe. He won over fans with his all-action in-ring style and comedic chops on the microphone.

When he turned to the dark side, however, Angle was easy to root against because of his derogatory humor and almost unbeatable aura in the ring. His 'Wrestling Machine' gimmick made him the top heel in the company, consistently earning him thunderous boos.

Whether working as a good or bad guy, Angle always knew how to keep the crowds invested and stay on top of the game.

#2: Edge may be the Ultimate Opportunist, but he also genuinely reeks of awesomeness

Edge was born to be a heel. His boyish looks and sneaky title-winning tactics often put the WWE Universe firmly in his opponents' corner. As the first Mr. Money In The Bank, his incredibly dastardly cash-in on John Cena became a template for heel holders of the contract. The Rated-R superstar's love triangle involving Matt Hardy and Lita made him one of the most reviled heels on the roster.

However, with time, fans recognized the grit, passion and sacrifice with which the 11-time WWE Champion performed for them. These qualities and injury-related absences led to his organic transformation into a face as fans grew fond of him. As a result, he received some of the loudest reactions of any superstar on the roster and stayed on top of the card.

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#1: Batista's time in WWE was the best of both worlds

In the Wrestlemania 21 main event, Batista became one of the top babyfaces in WWE by beating Triple H, a heel who was trying to hold him down. He rose to superstardom, winning titles and having legendary feuds as one of the most beloved faces in the promotion.

In the Wrestlemania 30 main event, Daniel Bryan cemented himself as perhaps the biggest babyface of the modern era by submitting The Animal. The 6-time world champion played the role of a heel brought in by the company to hold Bryan down.

As one of, if not the, loudest crowd reactions in WrestleMania history erupted, it was proof that no matter whether he was a face or heel, Batista could tell a riveting story.