WWE history: 10 greatest heel turns of the 21st Century

#9 Triple H turns on Shawn Michaels

Moments before Triple H turned heel

In the summer of 2002, The Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels returned to WWE after a 4 year long hiatus.

Michaels convinced his best friend Triple H to move permanently to Monday Night Raw. Weeks before Summerslam 2002, the duo hit the ring to the DX theme on an episode of Raw.

After the shenanigans were done with, Triple H proceeded to hit a pedigree on Shawn Michaels out of nowhere. As the fans looked in horror, Triple H turned heel on his best friend. The two had possibly their best match till date at SummerSlam, ending with Michaels coming out on top. Triple H hit Michaels with a sledgehammer after the match, which was embraced with a chorus of boos.

Triple H's heel turn resulted in him taking over Monday Night Raw for the next two years, until he was dethroned by his Evolution lackey, Batista, at WrestleMania 21.

Triple H has always looked convincing as the 'apex heel' of the brand and his fabled rivalries include the likes of HBK, John Cena, Goldberg and Kurt Angle.