During a recent appearance on Games With Names, Seth Rollins discussed his picks for the ultimate “wrestling heels Mount Rushmore,” naming four legendary figures whose villainous personas shaped professional wrestling. This candid conversation took place as Rollins looked back on wrestling history, highlighting the profound impact of these notorious figures on WWE and the industry as a whole.
Rollins Shares His Perspective on the Greatest Wrestling Villains
Seth Rollins began by reflecting on the importance of wrestling heels, emphasizing how their roles have defined storylines and character development across decades. He acknowledged that naming the top four antagonists was a challenging task, given the rich history and variety within the wrestling world.
“Wow, that’s a great question. I don’t know that — I’ve answered the Mt. Rushmore question quite often in my life in general, but not the heel Mt. Rushmore. I think you probably start with Ric Flair. What a wild man. He’s a nut job. He’s a full nut job. He’s one of the best heels of all time. Gosh — man, how far in the wayback machine do I wanna go? You know, there’s argument to be made that Triple H [is on the list]. [He was] extremely hated for a variety of reasons during his run. Strong heel, those are two great heels. Gosh, who else is in there that’s just really the worst?”
— Seth Rollins, WWE Superstar
Ric Flair and Triple H Lead Rollins’ List of Iconic Heels
Rollins cited Ric Flair as his first choice for the “heels Mount Rushmore,” praising Flair’s wild and unpredictable energy in the ring. Known for his flamboyant style and ruthless tactics, Ric Flair became synonymous with the term “heel” over his storied career. Rollins also spotlighted Triple H, another WWE legend, who was famously despised for both his in-ring maneuvers and his out-of-ring persona, driving drama and memorable feuds during his career.
Hollywood Hulk Hogan: A Surprising Addition
The conversation took a fascinating turn when Rollins considered Hulk Hogan, known primarily as a beloved fan favorite, but whose transformation into a heel left a significant imprint on the industry.
“You know what? I’ll say this. We think about him mostly as a babyface. But honestly, I think his heel stuff had the most impact on business long-term. It’s probably Hulk Hogan. Because the Hollywood turn was one of the watershed moments in our industry, when you took the biggest hero in the business. And yeah he had the black beard and everything. And he was a very detestable character at that time. I mean, he broke hearts, you know what I mean? He broke hearts, he crushed all those kids who were Hulkamaniacs growing up. You know, prayers, training, vitamins, all that gone.”
— Seth Rollins, WWE Superstar
By embracing a detestable Hollywood persona, Hogan shocked fans and altered his legacy, particularly with his work in the NWO, making him a lasting figure in heel history.
Harley Race: Exemplifying the Classic Wrestling Antagonist
Finally, Rollins reached further into history, selecting Harley Race as a member of his heels Mount Rushmore. Race’s reputation during the 1960s and 70s grew from his unlikable and ruthless demeanor in the ring, creating one of the most memorable “bad guy” images for generations of wrestling followers.
“I think I have to go further back. Maybe the King, Harley Race. Harley was nasty, man… Harley was like the ’70s. ’60s, ’70s, those were probably his big decades, I would say. But he was just — he was rotten. There was nothing about him likable, you know what I mean?”
— Seth Rollins, WWE Superstar
Remembering Race’s Dual Legacy In and Out of the Ring
Rollins distinguished between Race’s persona as a performer and the man behind the character, recounting positive backstage experiences and Race’s lasting generosity.
“But he was also… sweetest man you’ll ever meet too. I mean, he’s passed away now. But when he would come around when we would be into the St. Louis area or Kansas City area. He lived in Missouri, ran a wrestling school I think till his passing. But one of the nicest guys backstage you’ll ever met. And not one of those old-timing guys that was like, ‘Oh, today’s kids don’t know nothing.’ He was not like that. He was very cool, very easy to talk to. But man, as a performer, just mean. He was mean. He was like the embodiment of a bully. And he was mean, but when the time was right — the same with Ric — he would always give it back to his babyface. So, he would always allow his babyface — I mean, he was great at bumping around like a maniac and selling for his babyface and stuff like that when the time was right.”
— Seth Rollins, WWE Superstar
Race’s influence continued beyond his in-ring career through his work in Missouri and his time operating a wrestling school, impacting new generations of wrestlers.
The Lasting Impact of Wrestling’s Greatest Heels
Seth Rollins’ perspective on the wrestling heels Mount Rushmore not only shines a light on the timeless nature of villainy in sports entertainment but also recognizes the unique contributions of Ric Flair, Triple H, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, and Harley Race to the evolution of the business. Their legacies persist, shaping the roles of future heels and deepening the storytelling of wrestling across the United States and around the world. As stars like Rollins look back on their influences, the appreciation for these complex, layered characters continues, underscoring just how essential “heels” are to the heart of professional wrestling.
