On a recent edition of his “Oh… You Didn’t Know” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Brian “Road Dogg” James stated that he couldn’t comprehend the concept of the “cool heel” at first and that he was surprised by the fans’ reaction to him as a heel in D-Generation X.
Road Dogg was both a babyface and a heel at different times in DX, which was one of those like the nWo that would get babyface reactions despite being heels.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On getting babyface reactions as a heel: “We’re doing all this crass stuff that I wouldn’t want my children to see and they love it. It was dumbfounding to me but I was reaping the benefits of it so it was like, you’d better get used to it quick, kid … It changed. The tide changed and the industry changed.”
On Shawn Michaels pushing for them to act as they did: “The way I perceived this was Shawn Michaels seeing the writing on the wall and having the conversations that needed to be had and getting the boss onboard. From what I know of the history of the Attitude Era, that’s how it started … I didn’t see the writing on the wall. I didn’t know … I was going to tell them to suck it and they were going to cheer for me and buy my t-shirt. You know what I mean? I couldn’t have fathomed that, but that’s what was happening.”
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The concept of the “cool heel” in professional wrestling has been a topic of discussion for many years. It refers to a wrestler who portrays a villainous character but still manages to garner a positive reaction from the audience. One wrestler who experienced this phenomenon firsthand is WWE Hall of Famer Brian “Road Dogg” James.
In a recent episode of his podcast, “Oh… You Didn’t Know,” Road Dogg revealed that he initially struggled to understand the concept of the cool heel. He was surprised by the fans’ reaction to him as a heel in the popular faction D-Generation X (DX). Despite their villainous actions, DX would often receive cheers and support from the audience.
Road Dogg explained that DX, much like the nWo, had the ability to generate babyface reactions despite being heels. This was a unique situation in the wrestling industry, as traditionally, heels are supposed to be disliked by the audience. However, DX managed to break this mold and become fan favorites.
The former WWE superstar admitted that he found it dumbfounding that fans loved their crass and controversial antics. He couldn’t comprehend why people would cheer for him while he engaged in behavior that he wouldn’t want his own children to witness. Nevertheless, Road Dogg acknowledged that he benefited from this unexpected fan support.
According to Road Dogg, a significant factor in DX’s success as cool heels was Shawn Michaels’ influence. Michaels, a key member of DX, recognized the changing landscape of the wrestling industry and pushed for the faction to embrace their edgier side. He had conversations with management and convinced them to support DX’s controversial actions.
Road Dogg admitted that he didn’t see the writing on the wall initially. He couldn’t have imagined that telling people to “suck it” would result in cheers and t-shirt sales. However, he acknowledged that this was precisely what was happening during the Attitude Era, a time of significant change and edginess in professional wrestling.
The podcast episode also featured highlights from Road Dogg’s time in DX, showcasing some of the memorable moments that contributed to their cool heel status. These moments included their catchphrases, their rebellious attitude, and their ability to connect with the audience on a different level.
In conclusion, the concept of the cool heel in professional wrestling is a fascinating phenomenon. Road Dogg’s experience in DX highlights how a villainous character can still receive positive reactions from fans. It demonstrates the ever-evolving nature of the wrestling industry and the importance of adapting to changing audience preferences.