Top 50 Greatest Wrestling Heels of all time

28. Rick Rude

A top in-ring worker of his era, Rick Rude cut his teeth in the 80s due to a run as the WCCW champion and becoming a NWA Tag Team titleholder with ‘Raging Bull’ Manny Fernandez. His run in the WWF in the 80s was his largest, with the mustachioed ‘Ravishing One’ winning the IC titles and main eventing SummerSlam 1990 for the WWF title. Rude took every opportunity to show off his physique whilst insulting the audience.

Rick Rude would also become a big star in WCW, winning the WCW International World title on three occasions and the US title. Rude had feuds with top WCW acts such as Ric Flair, Sting and Ricky Steamboat on top of running the short-lived but dominant Dangerous Alliance faction which was led by Rude.

Even when his in-ring days were over, he stayed a heel presence as the insurance policy for DX, the silent accomplice of the group in their treachery. He would have a similar role for the NWO when jumping to WCW in 1997 having been preparing for a return to physical action before his death.