The exact opposite of a heel turn is a face turn. These terms originate from the world of professional wrestling, describing a character's shift in alignment.
Understanding Character Alignments in Professional Wrestling
In professional wrestling, characters are broadly categorized as "faces" or "heels," akin to heroes and villains. Their actions and audience reactions define these roles.
What is a Heel Turn?
A heel turn occurs when a "face" (good guy, hero) character transitions into a "heel" (bad guy, villain). This transformation often involves betraying allies, cheating, disrespecting fans, or generally adopting an unsportsmanlike and antagonistic persona. The goal of a heel turn is to elicit boos and negative reactions from the audience, making them the antagonist of a storyline.
Key characteristics of a heel turn:
- A "good guy" becomes a "bad guy."
- Often involves betrayal or underhanded tactics.
- Aims to generate audience hatred or boos.
- Can refresh a character or storyline.
What is a Face Turn?
Conversely, a face turn is when a "heel" (bad guy, villain) character transforms into a "face" (good guy, hero). As defined by Urban Dictionary, a Face Turn is "When a person completely, and often shockingly, goes from bad to good. The term came from professional wrestling to refer when a heel (bad guy) becomes a face (good guy) and the crowd cheers for him." This shift usually involves acts of heroism, standing up for what's right, earning the crowd's respect, or redeeming past misdeeds. The objective is to make the audience cheer and support the character.
Key characteristics of a face turn:
- A "bad guy" becomes a "good guy."
- Often involves heroic acts or redemption.
- Aims to generate audience cheers and support.
- Can revitalize a character or create new fan favorites.
Key Differences and Impact in Storytelling
The concepts of heel and face turns are fundamental to professional wrestling storytelling, driving narratives and character development.
| Feature | Heel Turn | Face Turn |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Role | Face (Good Guy) | Heel (Bad Guy) |
| Ending Role | Heel (Bad Guy) | Face (Good Guy) |
| Audience Reaction | Seeks boos, hatred, and negative reactions | Seeks cheers, support, and positive reactions |
| Purpose | To become an antagonist; refresh character | To become a protagonist; gain fan approval |
| Manner of Change | Betrayal, cheating, arrogance | Redemption, heroism, standing up for others |
Both types of turns are crucial for maintaining dynamic storylines and keeping the audience engaged. They allow for characters to evolve, rivalries to intensify, and new narratives to emerge within the wrestling universe.
