5 WWE matches where the heels were cheered

Despite all the claims that professional wrestling is fake (for God's sake, yes, we know it's scripted), there is still a very real sense of excitement that comes with enjoying the program. One of the most crucial aspects of this enjoyment is the babyface vs heel dynamic that is present in most - if not all - matches and feuds.

After all, there has to be a good guy and there has to be a bad guy. You get the fans to cheer for the hero who does things the right way by overcoming all the odds and get them to boo the dastardly villain who uses underhanded means to achieve his goals.

Except, the fans don't always play by the rules. There have been many instances in the history of the WWE where the fans have just plain refused to boo a heel. So, without any further ado, here is our list of 5 WWE matches where the heels where cheered:

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#5 AJ Styles - Summerslam 2016

Phenomenal

I think it is now a well-established fact that AJ Styles simply will not be booed in the WWE. The man is just too good of a wrestler. And, this fact was most apparent in August 2016 when he went up against John Cena at WWE Summerslam 2016.

This was the pivotal moment in AJ's burgeoning WWE career. He had just recently turned heel to engage in a program with John Cena and we all know how those feuds usually go. In a show of solidarity, the entire WWE Universe got behind The Phenomenal One and he delivered in a big big way.

#4 Seth Rollins - Wrestlemania 31

The main event of Wrestlemania 31 had not just one, but two heels being cheered relentlessly against Roman Reigns. First, it was Brock Lesnar, who entered the main event as WWE Champion, but the loudest cheer was reserved for Seth Rollins.

In a shocking turn of events, The Architect cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on The Grandest Stage of Them All in order to steal the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in what Michael Cole described as 'The Heist of the Century' - and the fans loved every minute of it.

#3 Triple H - Royal Rumble 2016

The Game was cheered over The Big Dog

Sticking with the theme of fans cheering heels against Roman Reigns, we cast our minds back to the 2016 Royal Rumble match. That year, the Rumble experienced a bit of a shakeup as The Big Dog was forced to defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the actual Royal Rumble match - entering a Number 1.

When it looked like Reigns would be pulling off a win yet again, the fans quickly lost their patience - until Triple H made his presence felt. Entering at Number 30, The Game eliminated Reigns and went on to become a 14-time World Champion - much to the delight of the WWE Universe.

#2 Sid Vicious - Survivor Series 1996

Back in 1996 when Shawn Michaels was enjoying a superb first run in the WWE, he was the unquestionable star of the company. So, when he came up against Sid Vicious for the WWE Championship at WWE Survivor Series 1996, surely the fans were going to rally to The Heartbreak Kid's side, right? Wrong.

The fans on that night turned their backs on Michaels, instead embracing Sid and his heelish ways instead. The even high-fived and fist-bumped the monstrous giant when he took out HBK using a camera. Quite the unexpected outcome.

#1 Hollywood Hulk Hogan - Wrestlemania 18

When Hulk Hogan left the WWE in the mid-1990s, people couldn't imagine him as anything other than the prototypical babyface. Then came his earth-shattering heel turn in WCW. The Hulkster aligned himself with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash to form the nWo and his Hollywood avatar became despised all around the world.

So, when he returned to the WWE - as a heel - he was widely expected to be booed. So, it made sense to put him up against The Rock at Wrestlemania 18. Except, the crowd in Toronto had other ideas. They turned the tables and got behind Hogan to a never-before-seen level.

So intense were the cheers that Hogan was turned babyface in the middle of the match in order to accommodate the wishes of the fans.