Throughout WWE history, the company has had some fantastic babyface stars that have allowed the wrestling world to invest in them and cheer for them. Great babyfaces are crucial to the success of any wrestling company, as they are what keeps the fans coming back, to see them succeed as often as possible.

However, every babyface is different. Each character has their own unique journey, distinct stories, and matches that define them. Because of that, each top babyface has different levels of likability, based on their actions. Some have come across as incredibly likable throughout history, whereas others have been less-so, but who is the most likable babyface of all?

UPDATE: 2024/03/29 11:30 EST BY BENJAMIN VIEIRA

The babyface is essential to professional wrestling. Fans need a hero to cheer for against the villainous heel. Throughout history, there have been some truly beloved babyfaces that capture the hearts and minds of fans. It contributes to a lasting legacy of who they were in the ring and what they did. WWE is no exception to this at all. WWE is currently seeing some of the great up-and-coming babyfaces enter their names into the history books, many of whom will have a spot on this list someday. For now, however, let's take a look at some of WWE's biggest babyfaces in its history.

12 John Cena Drew A Mixed Response From Fans

Fans Were Split Over The Multi-Time World Champion

Considering the fact that half of the fanbase booed John Cena throughout his career makes it impossible to call him the most likable babyface of all time. However, Cena certainly did have a core fanbase and in terms of his in-ring actions, he was as pure of a babyface as you can get.

While his rapping years saw him work a little more controversial, Cena became one of WWE's greatest babyfaces later on. His work was a little repetitive for some, but he was always a beloved babyface icon.

11 Hulk Hogan Was WWE's Top Babyface For Years

Hulkamania Was Running Wild

Eating vitamins and saying your prayers was the order of the day for Hulk Hogan. It's something that would never get over now, but at the time, it led to Hogan being a beloved star that WWE pushed as much as possible.

While he's remained popular throughout his career, issues in his personal life have certainly changed the opinion of many on Hogan, which is why he's certainly not the most likable babyface the company has ever had.

10 Cody Rhodes Has Been Catapulted As WWE's Top Babyface

Fans Even Wanted Cody Over The Rock

In 2022, Cody Rhodes made his triumphant return to WWE after being away from the company for years. Since then, he has firmly had the support of fans behind him. And while maybe a few months ago he would not have made it on this list, the recent fan support for him to defeat Roman Reigns and The Rock through "We Want Cody" has catapulted him to this position. Fans made their voices heard, and he has had firm support going into WrestleMania 40. Rhodes will almost definitely be one of WWE's top babyfaces for more years going forward.

9 Becky Lynch Has Been "The Man" For Years

Lynch Remains One Of WWE's Most Beloved Stars

There have been some great babyfaces in the women's division over the years, but none took the division to the heights that Becky Lynch did. During her big rise to the top of the company, she was truly "The Man." Even today, she continues to live and breathe the gimmick.

Lynch worked so hard and the fans fed off it. She wouldn't be denied the opportunity or the push and that led to her becoming the most popular wrestler in the entire company for several months, gaining incredible reactions.

8 Ricky Steamboat Was Always Meant To Be A Babyface

He Did Everything For The Fans

Ricky Steamboat was truly built to be a babyface. His in-ring style was ahead of the curve and having a great heel to work against like Ric Flair only took his career to the next level in the eyes of the fans.

Steamboat did everything for the fans, putting 100% in the ring, and his high-flying and technical wrestling got him over. There wasn't anything to not like about Steamboat, he just didn't get the same level of push as certain other babyfaces, which held him back slightly.

7 Bruno Sammartino Was A Historic WWE Champion

He Was The Most Dominant Name Of His Era

Bruno Sammartino wrestled at a very different time to the flashy glitz and glamor fans know and love today. He wasn't about epic promos or catchphrases that he could slap on a t-shirt, instead, the focus was on great in-ring work.

Bruno was so dominant as a wrestler that fans just respected him massively, which is why he was able to continue having lengthy runs on top. People came out to see him in droves, and that was all down to how likable he was.

6 Mick Foley Has Always Been Beloved By WWE Fans

Fans Tuned In To See Him Become WWE Champion

When fans heard on WCW television that Mankind was going to win the WWE's top prize, numerous fans changed the channel to watch that happen. That alone shows you how many fans loved him and wanted to see him become the top star in the company. Foley has always been one of the most well received and liked superstars in the company's history. He was one of WWE's original top underdogs that saw such tremendous fan support back him in his pursuit of becoming a top WWE name.

5 Rey Mysterio Is WWE's Ultimate Underdog

He Has A Unique Bond With Fans

When it comes to considering the most likable babyfaces of all time, Rey Mysterio is always in the discussion. The masked man has been beloved by fans throughout his career, creating a unique bond with them that few others can match.

He may not have spent much time in the main event scene, but that never stopped him from getting reactions worthy of that. His mask added a superhero-style persona to him and audiences have always gravitated to that.

4 Bret "The Hitman" Hart Had The Respect Of Fans Everywhere

He Was One Of The Best In-Ring Workers Of All-Time

Bret Hart was a talent that fans just respected massively, to the point that even when he was a heel in the United States, he was still a huge babyface elsewhere. Hart was a perfect in-ring wrestler and that's something that fans loved to see.

He spoke passionately and his in-ring work always matched up with that, which allowed him to become one of the most likable babyfaces that WWE has ever created.

3 The Rock Has Been "The People's Champion"

The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment Captured Fans' Attention

When it comes to charisma and personality, The Rock simply oozed in it. Everything he did and said always got over with fans and that led to him being one of the most successful professional wrestlers of all time.

The Rock was able to blend being funny and entertaining with great matches that fans just loved to see. He was over-the-top at times, but that only served to help him even more, with his likability being very high, hence why fans have stuck with him into Hollywood. Even as a heel in 2024 as a member of The Bloodline, The Rock still garners tremendous reactions from fans.

2 Bryan Danielson Began A Movement Behind Him

Danielson Took Over WWE At A Point

Underdog stories are easy to buy into within the world of wrestling, and there aren't any better than Bryan Danielson's. This is why he's been so popular, with the fans literally forcing WWE to change its opinion on him and make Danielson a headline name.

Danielson's "Yes" chant is one of the most popular of all time, and his road to WrestleMania 30 saw genuine takeovers from the audiences because of their love for him. The roadblocks he's had to overcome both in kayfabe and with injuries have only made fans like him more, and the fact he's a terrific wrestler certainly hasn't hurt him.

1 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Is The Biggest Babyface In WWE History

Austin Was The People's Choice

The audience reactions that "Stone Cold" got (and still receives to this day), have always been the most deafening. While he spent time as a heel, Austin was utterly beloved by fans and that is purely because his character was out for himself and was happy to stick it to his boss.

Everyone has moments where they want to tell their employers how they really feel, and the fact Austin did that allowed people to love him. He was the everyday working man, who would down a beer, hit a stunner, and leave, and that just made Austin the man, in the eyes of fans around the world.