10 Best Heel Turns in TNA/ Impact Wrestling History By Hakeem Fullerton

Intro: Everyone loves a good villain, In professional wrestling this usually happens when beloved or likable wrestlers turn their backs on their friends, allies and most importantly the fans whether it's jealously, greed, revenge or something else...these wrestlers shocked the TNA/ Impact Wrestling fans with their betrayals and elevated their careers in the process.

For the purpose of this list, I'll be mentioning the heel turns fill out these qualities: How were the seeds for the heel turn planted? How shocking and iconic it was? and most importantly what it did they do after the heel turn? Bonus points if the heel turn in question improved or gave the wrestler/s a gimmick change that helped them get over with the crowd.

10. Say Hello to Cactus Jack

Mick Foley's wrestling career has seen 'the hardcore legend' wrestle in almost every promotion around the world and most of the time his done that as a beloved hero, a man of the people who was the living embodiment of never giving up on your dreams for a generation of wrestling fans.

While Foley's time in wrestling has seen him compete predominately as a face, he is no stranger to playing the bad guy. From his shrieking and violent persona known as 'Mankind' to his 1998 corporate heel run as Dude Love, Mick as proven himself to be a remarkable if not dangerous antagonist.

In 2009, Mick Foley was the executive shareholder for TNA and began inserting himself into matches against the Main Event Mafia (which consisted of Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, Booker T and 'The Icon' Sting who was also world heavyweight champion during this time).

During the main event at Destination X 2009, Angle and Sting battled each other for the TNA world championship until Foley got involved by nailing Sting with a shot from a weapon, which led to many believing it was nothing more but an accident.

This would be proven false as Foley would later take offense to Sting's comments regarding Foley as an inactivate wrestler; Not to mention, a deliberate chair shot to Stings head during a tag team match led to weeks of bloody brawls between the two men which would eventually led to the two them facing off in the main event for the TNA World title at that years Lockdown PPV event.

On the go home episode of Impact, Foley conducted an interview where he told the world that he needed to bring back an old friend for his impeding match against Sting, that friend was none utter than 'Cactus Jack', one of the most crazed and sadistic of Mick Foley's multiple personalities.

This led to Foley punching himself and switching between whilst demonstrating the metamorphosis of Foley's transformation; Foley/Jack would then attacked Sting in the middle of the ring as the deranged Foley began abusing his power as an authority figure before telling Sting that he can do whatever he wants.

The heel turn and the match that preceded it was not only one of Foley's better matches during his time the company, but also one of the best matches in TNA Wrestling in 2009. This also led to a more unpredictability but power mad Mick Foley/Cactus Jack in the months that followed.

9. Eric Young becomes Unhinged

From one beloved babyface wrestler going batsh#t insane to another. Eric Young, a former TNA original had two attempts at being the bad guy where played the leader and member of the anti-American foreign stables, World Elite and Team Canada respectively.

While both of those times were memorable in their own right, it's his heel turn on former Team Canada partner, Bobby Roode in 2015 that I've chosen for this list.

During a highly anticipated match between challenger Bobby Lashley and champion Bobby Roode on an episode of Impact, the BDC or Beat Down Clan were looking to making sure that their man, Lashley would walk out as champion.

That was until EY came to the rescue of Roode by sliding into the ring with a steel chair, however Eric would then turn around hit his former friend in the back with the same chair leaving Roode vulnerable for a spear by Lashley resulting in Roode losing the match and world title in the process.

On the next episode of Impact, Eric would go on to explain that he wasn't joining the BDC but, that he attacked his friend Bobby Roode due to EY's claims of Roode not checking on him while he was in the hospital and how Roode was never there for Young during his war with the BDC.

While Eric's turn to the dark side would see him most infamously winning a match against Sgt. turn wrestler Chris Melendez where the former army soldier's prosthetic leg was on the line (seriously?!), it also led to Eric having some of the best matches in his career with Roode, Jeff Hardy and most notably Kurt Angle at Bound For Glory in a no disqualification match thereby turning the muscular happy go lucky goofball of TNA into an intense, unhinged mercenary who attacked, hurt and hospitalized anyone he wanted.

8. Moose Sells Out

Continuing are theme of friends backstabbing other friends in Pro Wrestling, we look at the shocking betrayal of the former Atlanta Falcons star turn pro wrestler Moose.

After turning babyface against Mike Bennett in 2016, Moose was seen as a likably wrestler who lacked any personality or charisma; Despite this, he went on to have stellar matches with names like Naomichi Marufuji, EC3, Drew Galloway and Bobby Lashley while also winning the Impact Grand Championship and forming a friendship with former TNA World Champion, Eddie Edwards along the way.

In early 2018, following the shocking "Baseball Bat Incident" which saw Sami Callihan accidently hit Eddie Edwards in the eye with a bat. Eddie would go on to heal himself up and began a feud that many have called one of the best feuds in recent Impact Wrestling History as well as undergoing a character change into a unstable kendo stick wielding madman.

By July of that year Moose would become the #1 contender to Austin Aries' world championship leading to a career defining match at Slammiversary for Moose but sadly he came up short; weeks after the PPV, Aries took on and defeated Eddie Edwards in a world title match thanks to the aid of his new running mate, Killer Kross.

Moose would return following his defeat at Slammiversary leading to a tag match between Aries and Kross vs. Edwards and Moose on the August 30th edition of Impact. Before the match Moose was found assaulted backstage leaving Edwards to battle Aries and Kross by himself, however just as things started to look bad for Eddie, Moose marched his way down to the ring to confront Aries only to turn around and spear his tag team partner before revealing his injury was a fake.

Moose would join forces with Kross and Aries before explaining his reasoning for betraying Aries was the fact that Eddie never checked on Moose in the hospital following his defeat to Aries at the previous PPV.

If anyone following this heel turn still thought that Moose lacked personality and charisma would be proven wrong as he would dress in flashy, if not flamboyant clothes, Ric Flair inspired robes, gorgeous woman accompanying him almost everywhere he goes and cutting promos that both oozed charm and intensity.

While he hasn't won any world championships as of late, he has seen his fair share battles with former friend Eddie Edwards, Johnny Impact, Brian Cage, The Rascalz and Ken Shamrock.

7. One More Match for the Fallen Angel

"Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride". That is a phrase that some would use to describe the relationship between Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles in TNA/Impact as the 'Fallen Angel' was always seen as the backup or second banana to the 'Phenomenal One' in almost every aspect of AJ's career; despite becoming a living legend on the independent scene as well as his success in companies like Ring of Honor, All Elite Wrestling and Impact Wrestling, Daniels was always being overshadowed by AJ Styles.

In the lead up to the all exclusive X division pay per view, Destination X in 2011, Daniels wanted to wrestle AJ at the event hoping to give the fans another classic match with both men explaining that regardless which one of them comes out on top, the outcome will in no way interfere with their friendship.

When the match happened and AJ Styles came out victorious, Daniels did indeed shake his best friends hand after match all be it begrudgingly.

After weeks of asking for one more match with AJ, Daniels would get his match on the September 1st episode of Impact, which saw the fallen angel pick up the win following a misstep during a springboard attempt on AJ's part; Daniels who was elated over his win refused shake his best friends hand afterwards.

Daniels would refuse AJ a rematch a few weeks later on Impact which escalated into a brawl around most of the building until Frankie Kazarian, who is a real friend to both Daniels and Styles tried to break up the fight but a swift kick into AJ's downstairs area cemented Daniels' turn to the dark side and setting the stage for a number of matches the two would have between 2011-14.

While his well written and justifiable heel turn in late 2009 saw Daniels and Styles battle in back-to-back PPV matches for the world heavyweight title, almost got a spot on this list, I had to give it to his 2011 heel turn as it led to the creation of one of the most memorable tag teams in Impact Wrestling history 'The Bad Influence'.

6. Last Call for AMW

AMW also known as American's Most Wanted, was one of the most decorated Tag Teams in the early days of TNA, comprises of TNA Originals like "The Cowboy" James Storm, "Wildcat" Chris Harris and valet Gail Kim, the team wrestled against names like AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels, Triple X, The 3 Live Kru, The Naturals, LAX and Team 3D whilst winning the NWA world tag team titles six times in the process.

During a feud with the aforementioned LAX, AMW took on the Latin American Xchange in a Flag Match for the tag team titles at Turning Point 2006; after a beer bottle shot by Storm hit not only Homicide but Chris Harris as well, it insured AMW's defeat although Storm would claim that it was thanks to Harris' incompetence's why the team didn't win the titles that night.

On the December 14th edition of Impact, Storm and Harris got another chance to fight for LAX's tag team titles with the added stipulation of AMW being forced to disband if they lose the match. During the finals moments of the match, James Storm came into the ring with a beer bottle looking to hit Homicide with it only to turn around and crack Harris in the face with it and walk out on his partner leading to LAX retaining the titles but also the end of one of TNA's greatest tag teams.

Following this, James Storm would not only ally himself with "The Pride of Tennessee" Jacqueline "Jackie" Moore but he would also have a rivalry with his former tag partner that lasted from Lockdown 2007 until Sacrifice of that year culminating in a Bloody Texas Death Match which saw the Wildcat come out on top.

In the end, it was the cowboy who got the last laugh as James Storm's career has been looked upon with great fondness following the break up of AMW, while Chris Harris has become unfortunately known for his failed run in the WWE as Braden Walker.

5. Christian Cage Swings for the Fences

Christian's time in TNA (now Impact) is well known but also the stuff of legend, as "The Instant Classic" proved the world that he was main event star material while being an integral part of the company's boom period starting in 2005.

Christian spend most of his 3 years with Impact as a crowd favorite who was adored by the fans for his in-ring work, charisma and willingness to prove his naysayers gone. In 2006, however Christian embraced his old backstabbing ways during the main event of the Hard Justice PPV.

Following TNA's obvious attempt at making their own version of the Montreal Screw Job known to some as the "Orlando Screw Job" in the main event of Slammiversary 2006, a match was made at the Victory Road PPV involving Scott Steiner, Samoa Joe, Sting and Christian to see who would become the #1 contender to Jarrett's NWA World Title.

Jarrett who was disguised as a camera man attacked Sting during the match sending the stinger to the backstage area, however that would not last long as Sting would return to the ring and finish the match, becoming the #1 Contender in the process; Afterwards Christian got into the ring and shook Sting's hand as a sign of friendship and respect.

In the lead up to Hard Justice, Christian wanted to be in Sting's corner for the upcoming world title match as backup against Jarrett's enforcer, Scott Steiner.

Towards the end of the match Jarrett was left laid out and Christian got a hold of double J's guitar, in the midst of all of this, Christian instructed Sting to go to the top rope and attack Jarrett only for Christian to nail 'The Icon' right on the top of his head, giving Jarrett the chance to retain the title.

Afterwards, Cage would go on to feud with "The War Machine" Rhino, Kurt Angle, and Samoa Joe whilst also creating the "Christian Coalition" with AJ Styles and Tomko before departing the company in late 2008.

4. The Master Plan is Complete

During the Aces and Eights Storyline, Bully Ray became a babyface leading the charge for the Impact locker room against the mysterious masked biker gang. Bully was also in a storyline relationship with Hulk Hogan's real life daughter, Brooke and forming a partnership with 'The Icon' Sting.

At Lockdown 2013, Bully Ray faced then world champion Jeff Hardy in the main event inside a steel cage. Towards the end of the match, Aces and Eights members began climbing the cage leading to Bully Ray and Jeff Hardy standing back-to-back to each other against the gang, only for Devon (who was a member of the group) to throw a hammer at his former tag team partner to use as a weapon and hit Hardy square in the back.

Bully Ray ended up winning the match and the title before hugging the Aces and Eights members only to follow up by grabbing a microphone to announce to the world that he was the president of the biker gang, who've been wrecking havoc on the Impact Wrestling locker room for months.

This spurred the live crowd to begin throwing garbage into the ring as Bully began telling both Hulk and Brooke Hogan "Brooke I used you, Hulk I SCREWED you!" right in their faces and in the process completing Bully Ray's master plan to become World Heavyweight Champion.

The destruction continued afterwards with Bully at the helm, until the group was force to disband via stipulation during Bully Ray's match with former club VP, Mr. Anderson.

3. Velvet And Angelina Give Roxxi A Makeover

'The Beautiful People' are a faction that every wrestling fan has either seen or heard of, as the vindictive blonde duo of Angelina Love and Velvet Sky along with latter members, Cute Kip, Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich are one of the most iconic stables in not just in TNA/Impact History but modern day pro wrestling.

From using hair and makeup products to blind their opponents to putting paper bags on the heads of their enemies to beating people up with a pink baton called "the Ugly Stick", the beautiful people were as dangerous as they were gorgeous.

However, unless you've been a die hard TNA/Impact fan then you might not know how the Angelina and Velvet became the Beautiful People.

In 2007, Angelina Love and Velvet Sky debuted under the name "Velvet-Love Entertainment" and wrestled ODB and Roxxi Laveaux at the Turning Point event where they manage to come out on top.

Roxxi who's gimmick was that of a Voodoo Queen gave a premonition to both ladies regarding their safety. Ignoring this, Velvet-Love Entertainment decided on the March 13th 2008 edition of Impact to give the voodoo queen a makeover, which she violently resisted thus leading to Angelina and Velvet attacking Roxxi using cosmetic products.

Angelina and Velvet dubbed themselves "The Beautiful People", began feuds with various knockouts and the rest as they say is history.

If you've never seen the Roxxi Makeover that led to the formation of the beautiful People, I'll leave a link down below.

2. Jeff Hardy Becomes Immortal

10...10...10: the date of TNA's Bound For Glory event and the day that Jeff Hardy turned his back on the fans that supported him all for the pursuit of being the TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

Following an attack by 'The Monster' Abyss on RVD on "The Whole F'n Show" edition of Impact, the world title became vacant and a tournament was held to see would fight for the title at Bound For Glory.

The final three competitors: Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson and Kurt Angle fought in the main event for the world title on one of the biggest PPV's in the company's history. Towards the end of the match, Eric Bischoff was looking to attack Mr. Anderson when Hulk Hogan who was an enemy of Bischoff's, entered the ring and the two were ready to hit each other with crutches (Hogan underwent back surgery at the time and came down with crutches).

Jeff Hardy interfered on Hogan's behalf and threaten to hit Bischoff with the crutch only to turn around and hit Kurt and Anderson with it before hitting the latter with Hardy's signature "Twist of Fate" maneuver. Bischoff would revive and kick the referee to make the 3 count before announcing Jeff as the new world heavyweight champion.

This gave way to Jeff Hardy's "Antichrist of Professional Wrestling" gimmick which saw Hardy become twisted and evil to his opponents, notably giving Mr. Anderson a legit concussion taking him out of action for months. Sadly, Hardy's time as a demented heel who be overshadowed by his infamous main event world title match with Sting at Victory Road 2011.

Fortunately, Hardy redeemed himself both in kayfabe and in real life when he won the Bound For Glory Series in 2012 and became World champion at that year's BFG main event, not to mention that Hardy would spend the next four to five years in TNA sober and drug free.

1. It Does Pay To Be Roode

While Jeff Hardy's heel turn was shocking, memorable and affective even "The Charismatic Enigma" must bend the knee to the "It Factor of Professional Wrestling", Bobby Roode.

After winning the inaugural Bound For Glory Series at the 2011 No Surrender PPV, Roode was set to face Kurt Angle for the world heavyweight championship in the main event unfortunately for Roode, Angle would cheat to win by grabbing the ropes for leverage outside of the referee's vision and in the process retained the world title leaving Roode heartbroken in the middle of the ring.

On the episode of Impact after BFG, "Cowboy" James Storm challenged Kurt for the world title and managed to defeat the Olympic Gold Medalist in a matter of seconds following a "Last Call" superkick to the face leading to Storm winning his first and only TNA world heavyweight championship.

Roode would get another shot at the world title after defeating Samoa Joe in a #1 contenders match in the previous week. Roode and Storm would fight for the title on the November 3rd 2011 episode. In the finals moments of the match, referee Brian Hebner tweaked his leg and Roode was outside of the ring as he noticed his partners signature beer bottle sitting on the steps.

While trying to get Bobby back into the ring Storm would get smashed over the head by his Beer Money tag team partner with the beer bottle, laying him out as Roode would quickly crawled to cover, the referee counts...1..2..3!

And just like that, Bobby Roode sold his soul to the devil and ended a 4 year partner/friendship to become the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

The crowd erupted into shock and disbelief before raining boos on the new world champion as he repeatedly spat all over his friend and tag team partner with the show coming to an end with broadcaster Mike Tenay ending with the famous line: "That's how you treat a brother?! B######t!"

From there on, Roode would become the longest reigning world champion within the company's near two decade existence and began a solo run in the main event scene that led to a reign of dominance and ego, making this not only one best heel turns in TNA/Impact, but one of the greatest heels turns in modern pro wrestling history.