Heel (professional wrestling)

In professional wrestling, a heel is a character who is portrayed as behaving in an immoral manner; sometimes they are humourously referred to as 'evil.' In non-wrestling jargon, heels are often "bad guys" in pro wrestling storylines. They are often opposed by a face (crowd favourite). Some tweeners exhibit heel mannerisms.

Common Heel Tactics

• Using the ropes or grabbing the opponent's tights during pinfalls.
• Throwing powder/salt into opponent's eyes.
• Removing the padding on turnbuckles to expose the steel underneath it, then smashing an opponent's head or face onto it.
• Use of concealed weapons (brass knuckes, rolls of coins, etc.); some heels are less subtle when they decide to use a weapon, often grabbing a chair from ringside in full view of the referee with no regard for the consequences.
• Dragging an opponent's face across the top rope.
• Low blows.
• Using the outside of the ring to rest.
• When defending titles, intentionally getting himself/herself disqualified or counted out to lose the match without dropping the title that they are defending.
• Insulting the fans or mocking the city he/she is performing in during promos.