Today, the pro wrestling landscape is completely different than what it was in the 80s. Back then, kayfabe was still in full effect, meaning that performers practically had to live their gimmicks. That wasn't too big of a deal for babyfaces but it could prove difficult at times for some heels.
Regardless, back then, a bad guy was expected to live the persona while in public. Perhaps that mindset is why the 80s was considered a hotbed for pro wrestling heels, especially in WWE. Every year of the decade, a different heel could make an argument for being the top bad guy in the promotion. That's some impressive roster depth.
10 1980: Larry Zbyszko
Today, many wrestling fans probably remember Larry Zbyszko from his 90s run in WCW as a wrestler and announcer. In the late 70s though, Zbyszko was Bruno Sammartino's protégé in WWE. Zbyszko would eventually grow tired of that label through. He'd challenge his mentor to a match so he could finally step out of his shadow.
In January 1980, their match took place. During the bout, Zbyszko would hit Sammartino with a chair, leaving him bloody and becoming the biggest heel in the business in the process. He'd keep that status until leaving WWE in 1981.
9 1981: Don Muraco
Today, any pro wrestling fan who hears someone reference "The Rock," knows they're talking about Dwayne Johnson. Back in the 80s though, "The Rock" was actually one of the nicknames for "The Magnificent" Don Muraco. Most fans remember Muraco for his work in the mid to late 80s.
However, Muraco was arguably at his best as a heel in 1981 when he first arrived in WWE. That year, Muraco won the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Pedro Morales and even challenged WWE Champion Bob Backlund for his title. Muraco would eventually settle into WWE's upper mid-card but during his initial WWE run, he was arguably their top heel.
8 1982: Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
Throughout the years, there have been some pro wrestlers who fully embraced the heel lifestyle. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine was definitely one of those heels. In 1981, Valentine was in his second stint in WWE. That year, he started a feud with WWE Champion Bob Backlund, which elevated Valentine to the main event scene. Their heated rivalry would carry over into 1982.
Despite getting close on several occasions, Valentine was unable to wrestle the championship away from Backlund. He then shifted his focus to Pedro Morales' Intercontinental Championship. Valentine would be unable to capture that title also. Before leaving WWE for a bit though, he storyline injured Morales, making him one of the most hated men in the business and WWE's top heel for a brief second.
7 1983: Sgt. Slaughter
Today, many young wrestling fans only remember Sgt. Slaughter for his work in WWE during the 90s. That version of Slaughter was fine, but it was a far cry from the dastardly heel he was during the 80s. At the time, Slaughter was one of the most hated heels in the wrestling business overall, not just WWE.
1983 was an especially heelish year for Slaughter in WWE. That year, he returned to the promotion and immediately set his sights on WWE Champion, Bob Backlund. At one point, Slaughter attacked Backlund during a television taping and beat him senseless with his riding crop. Slaughter would easily be WWE's top heel in 1983 but by 1984 he would be one of their top babyfaces.
6 1984: The Iron Sheik
Throughout most of its history, WWE has been a babyface territory. Essentially, that means their World Champion was typically a babyface who took on heel opponents. Before Hulkamania started running wild, Bob Backlund was WWE's golden boy and top star. In December 1983, The Iron Sheik became WWE Champion when he ended Backlund's nearly six-year reign as champion.
The win immediately catapulted Sheik into the top heel position in the company. He wouldn't hold the title for long though, losing it to Hulk Hogan just over a month after winning it. After dropping the title Sheik moved on to a feud with a babyface Sgt. Slaughter, solidifying him as WWE's top heel in 1984
5 1985: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
Much of the credit for WWE's success in the 80s is rightfully attributed to Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan. While McMahon and Hogan certainly had a huge part in taking pro wrestling mainstream, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's contributions often go overlooked. Piper was very much a vital part of the success of the first WrestleMania and WWE's Rock 'N' Wrestling Connection.
In 1985, Piper was the Joker to Hogan's Batman. He was the perfect heel at the perfect time for the perfect babyface. Piper would go on to main event the first WrestleMania and many more shows after that. He'd eventually become a babyface in WWE but he was honestly at his best as a heel in 1985.
4 1986: "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff
The secret to getting anything over in pro wrestling is to make the audience care one way or the other. When the audience fully invests in a particular angle, it makes for a better payoff at the end. In the 80s, there was no performer the WWE audience cared about more than Hulk Hogan.
In 1985, Hogan had seemingly gained a new ally in his former rival, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. By 1986 however, Orndorff had grown tired of being Hogan's sidekick and turned on him, once again turning heel in the process. This led to a long series of matches between Hogan and Orndorff. Hogan ultimately won the feud but for a while there, Orndorff was WWE's top heel
3 1987: Andre The Giant
In pro wrestling, there are big matches, then there are matches that define a generation. In 1987, Hulkamania was already in full swing. However, Hogan had yet to be challenged by a competitor as physically imposing as Andre The Giant. Up until 1987, Andre had been strictly a babyface in WWE. That would change en route to an era-defining match at WrestleMania 3.
At that show, a heel Andre The Giant challenged Hogan for the WWE Championship. Despite losing the match, the encounter with Hogan solidified Andre as a true legend. He would remain WWE's top heel for all of 1987. He even briefly won the WWE Championship in early 1988. Unfortunately, Andre's health would start failing him soon, limiting how often he could work.
2 1988: "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase
In 1987, Andre The Giant was the top heel in WWE. Soon after WrestleMania 3 though, a new villain hit the WWE scene, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase. As it turns out, like Andre, DiBiase also had his eyes on Hogan's WWE Championship. Instead of competing with Andre, DiBiase opted to purchase his contract from Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. This left DiBiase in control of the giant.
In February 1988, Andre managed to win the WWE Championship away from Hogan using a crooked referee, paid for by DiBiase. Andre would then forfeit the title to DiBiase, briefly making DiBiase the WWE Champion. Andre forfeiting the title to DiBiase wouldn't be recognized though and a tournament for the vacant championship would ensue at WrestleMania 4. Although DiBiase never officially won the title, he was undoubtedly the most devious heel of 1988.
1 1989: "Macho Man" Randy Savage
The two biggest stars WWE had in 1989 were "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. Together, they were The Mega Powers. For most of 1988, The Mega Powers coexisted peacefully. In 1989 however, Savage would start to grow tired of sharing the spotlight with Hogan. Furthermore, Savage didn't like Hogan getting so close to Miss Elizabeth.
This caused Savage to turn on Hogan in a jealous rage. Once he split from Hogan. Savage instantly became the top heel in the industry. The two would settle their differences in a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 5, which Hogan would win. After their feud, Savage continued to embrace his heel side, eventually becoming the evil "Macho King."