JBL Gives His Take On What Makes An Actual "Good Heel"

During the latest After The Bell podcast, WWE Hall Of Famer JBL gave his thoughts on what a good heel should be. He believes that anyone who likes being told they are a good heel, is not that. For him, someone in that role should be hated, with fans wanting to see them beaten up.

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"I had people tell me they like people saying, 'you're a good heel.' If somebody says you're a good heel, you're not a good heel," he said. "Because a good heel is not somebody you recognize as a heel. A good heel is somebody you go, 'I hate that guy.' Would you pay to see somebody beat him? They go, 'yeah, I hate that guy.'"

JBL then discussed the impact that social media has had on the ability to become a heel. He claims to have seen some talent doing heel work on television, and then sharing images of their kids online. It's something he thinks is exposing that the business is a work.

"I have seen guys do some type of dastardly heel tactic or whatever it is. And then they put on their social media their kids and a bible scripture. Like, dude, there's nothing wrong with your kids and a bible scripture, that's wonderful. But not if you want to be a heel, you've got to stay in character. This social media kills a lot of these guys. Because they just expose the fact that what they're doing is a work."

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During his career, JBL was able to work effectively as a heel at points. He went deep into things, at this time. He even demanded that WWE didn't create any merchandise for him at that point in time.

"First time I saw a JBL shirt, I literally called Vince and said, 'what are you doing putting out a JBL shirt?' He said, 'I had no idea we had one put out.' I said, 'I don't want some fan (wearing one)' Vince goes, 'I know, take it off.' So, I never let anybody put out a JBL shirt ever. It was out for a short time, and I got it taken off.

"Because I don't want some kid in the front row wearing a JBL shirt. And somebody thinking, 'oh, he must not be a terrible bad guy, because he's got one fan right there.' I used to see a section where people wear the hat, and the suit. After a while, the towel and all that stuff. I would get on the microphone, and I would just lambast these guys."

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit After The Bell with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. 

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