WWE: Top 10 Heels of the Past 10 Years

1. Muhammad Hassan

The single most controversial man of the millennium.

For those unfamiliar, Mark Copani portrayed a middle eastern wrestler by the name of Muhammad Hassan. He immediately became one of the most hated men in the company with the United States less than five years removed from 9/11.

Despite spending just seven months on the main roster, Hassan took part in what remains one of the most controversial storylines in WWE history.

Hassan began claiming that Americans unjustly associate him with terrorism because of his heritage. On a SmackDown episode taped on July 4, the United States’ Independence Day, Hassan began to perpetuate the stereotype when he and a group of masked men attacked The Undertaker.

The beating included clubs and a piano wire. Hassan ultimately locked Taker in the Camel Clutch as the controversial segment came to a close.

Why was this so significant? Three days after the taping, the London bombings transpired.

The episode of SmackDown displayed an advisory warning throughout the evening. It ultimately proved to be too offensive for some to handle, which led to Hassan’s professional wrestling career abruptly ending.

UPN, which aired SmackDown at the time, demanded that WWE keep Hassan off of its television channel. This led to Hassan suffering a storyline exit at the hands of The Undertaker at the Great American Bash.

Soon thereafter, Hassan was released from his contract and ultimately retired from professional wrestling.

Not without leaving his mark as the best heel of the past 10 years.