5 WWE matches where the babyfaces were booed out of the building

The core mantra of professional wrestling is pretty straightforward, so to speak.

Heroes are meant to be cheered, and villains booed. However, given the advent of modern-day mass communication tools -- the internet, television, social media and the like bringing the world closer than ever, nothing is a secret anymore.

The air of mystery surrounding the pro-wrestling characters is no more, which in turn results in WWE babyfaces (heroes) getting jeered, while the promotion's villains such as Sami Zayn, Braun Strowman and co. receive largely positive reactions.

Today SK goes back in time to recall the rare instances when the babyfaces were utterly jeered and booed out of the premises:

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#5 Edge vs Batista vs Chris Jericho

Edge often recalls SummerSlam 2004 as a weird experience for him

Perhaps one of the craziest turn of events transpired at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada when hometown hero and Rated-R babyface Superstar Edge was booed out of the premises after he successfully defended his WWE Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam back in 2004.

Granted that the match featured another Canadian legend ergo Chris Jericho, however, Edge was the hero at the time, and valiantly fought his way to victory in a gruelling Triple-Threat match. Regardless, the fans in attendance weren't too interested in his babyface demeanour, and although they did support him during the entrances, their tune changed 180 degrees during and after the match.

One has to note that Edge did make a reference to the Canadian fans' aforementioned betrayal after the Rated-R Superstar turned heel eventually. Nevertheless, Edge has always asserted his SummerSlam 2004 experience to be one of his strangest till date.

#4 The Rock vs Brock Lesnar

The Beast Incarnate was cheered over the Rock

The Rock starred in one of best movies of 2002 'The Scorpion King', around the time of his feud with then-up and coming star Brock Lesnar. It was in the early-2000s that two of the sport's biggest box office draws ergo 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and Rocky gradually departed as active in-ring performers.

Now, although Austin's farewell was brought about by legitimate injury issues, the hardcore professional wrestling fans downright accused The Rock of going Hollywood. The People's Champion was set to put over 'The Next Big Thing' Brock Lesnar as the company's next big star, and despite Rocky being portrayed as a babyface, the New York crowd cheered for The Beast while raining down thunderous boos on The Brahma Bull.

Although The Rock did perform for WWE until 2004 before commencing his full-time career in Hollywood, the fans at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York attending SummerSlam 2002 had No Sympy for the jabroni beatin' Great One. The heel was cheered, as Lesnar won the WWE undisputed Championship, while the face was booed -- And that's the bottom line, because the fans said so!

#3 John Cena vs Triple H/Shawn Michaels

John Cena was booed on both occasions

John Cena broke through as a bona fide star in the sport with his 'Professor of Thuganomics' rapper gimmick. Despite starting off as a heel rapper, Cena eventually turned face and was widely beloved by fans the world over.

When Cena defended his WWE Championship against Triple H at Wrestlemania 22, The Game came into the matchup as a heel but received unprecedented cheers from fans in attendance at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The Leader of the Cenation bested the King of Kings via submission, however the crowd was stood firmly behind the heel.

When one looks at the following year at 'Mania 23, Cena (the face/hero) defended his WWE Championship once again opposite Triple H's close friend Shawn Michaels, beating him by way of submission. Regardless, history repeated itself as fans at the Fort Field in Detroit, Michigan booed The Champ out of the building.

#2 Chris Benoit vs Randy Orton

Chris Benoit was disregarded on his home turf

Chris Benoit -- at the time one of the most beloved Canadian pro-wrestlers -- entered SummerSlam 2004 as the World Heavyweight Champion. The submission specialist defended his strap against a young wrestler by the name of Randy Orton.

For those unaware, coming into the fight, Orton was part of the villainous group, perhaps the best heel faction of all time, 'Evolution'. On that other hand, Benoit came into the bout defending on home turf.

Regardless, the fans in attendance at the Air Canada Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada who were firmly behind their hometown boy in the beginning, inexplicably cheered when Orton shocked the professional wrestling world after hitting an RKO for the 1-2-3.

Fans shockingly popped for the heel, while completely disregarding one of their own heroes.

#1 Batista and Rey Mysterio

Batista was jeered by the fans at the Royal Rumble

The 2014 edition of the Royal Rumble went down at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event's headliner is widely regarded as one of the worst in Rumble history, primarily owing to the ending, fan reaction and aftermath.

Batista entered at number 28 and eventually won the Rumble after eliminating fan favourite Roman Reigns. Now one has to note that the hardcore pro-wrestling fans desperately wanted to see Daniel Bryan win the event and main-event Wrestlemania XXX (*Bryan did, in fact, main-event 'Mania XXX).

However, with Batista returning to WWE and eliminating Reigns who was super-over at the time; the fans in attendance booed the Animal out the venue.

Besides, yet another babyface who found himself at the receiving end of thunderous boos from the WWE Universe was Batista's former Tag Team partner Rey Mysterio. The masked underdog entered last (number 30) much to the chagrin of fans who expected the aforementioned Bryan to come down all fired up and win the event.

Needless to say, Mysterio much like Batista was quite literally booed out the building.