WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart portrayed a babyface character for the bulk of his professional wrestling career, and the Canadian icon developed a giant fan base across all of North America.

Hart, a five-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, was extremely beloved in his own nation especially, and among the younger fans. But when chairman Vince McMahon approached him about turning heel at one point, The Hitman wasn't excited about it.

"I very much worried about losing my fan base when they wanted to turn me heel," Hart told Sky Sports in a recent interview, adding that he told Vince he really didn't "want to turn heel."

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via WWE.com

Hart added that he "really took pride in being a worldwide hero," and compared it to the situation John Cena is in right now. However, Hart knew that the fans would like something different, so he and Vince talked it over.

Hart would turn heel at WrestleMania 13, where he'd defeat 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin before brutally attacking The Texas Rattlesnake after the match. It was the first time since 1988 in which The Hitman became a bad guy, and the pro-Canadian gimmick and heel turn helped him land the "Most Hated Wrestler of the Year" award from Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1997.

Almost every major WWE Superstar throughout history has run  as both a babyface and heel. Some can pull off both roles just fine, but there was little doubting that Hart was always better as the good guy. Thankfully, WWE kept Hart that way for most of his career.

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