Heel vs. Jobber — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
In professional wrestling, a "Heel" is a character who plays the role of the villain, while a "Jobber" is typically a lesser-known wrestler who loses to make the other look strong.
Difference Between Heel and Jobber
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Key Differences
In the realm of professional wrestling, a "Heel" is an individual who portrays a villainous or antagonistic character. The "Heel" is crafted to attract boos and jeers from the audience. Conversely, a "Jobber" is a wrestler who usually loses matches, often to make other wrestlers look more potent and credible.
The "Heel" character is designed to be disliked and even hated. This character often cheats, employs unfair tactics, or behaves arrogantly to build tension and conflict within storylines. A "Jobber," on the other hand, may not have a developed character or backstory and primarily exists to be defeated.
From a grammatical standpoint, both "Heel" and "Jobber" are nouns when referring to roles in wrestling. However, "Heel" can also function as a verb to indicate turning into a villain ("Heeling"). "Jobber" generally remains a noun, describing the wrestler's specific role of losing matches.
Though both terms are specific to the wrestling industry, their connotations differ significantly. The "Heel" is essential for building story arcs and attracting attention, while the "Jobber" serves the functional role of losing to help establish the credibility or talent of the opposing wrestler.
In terms of audience impact, a successful "Heel" can be just as memorable as the hero, eliciting strong emotional reactions from fans. "Jobbers," however, are less likely to be remembered or celebrated, serving as stepping stones for more prominent wrestlers.
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Comparison Chart
Role
Villain
Loser
Audience Reaction
Boos, Jeers
Indifference, Sympathy
Grammatical Usage
Noun, Verb
Noun
Story Importance
High
Low
Character Complexity
Often Complex
Usually Simple
Compare with Definitions
Heel
Someone who acts unkindly or dishonorably.
Don't be such a heel; apologize to her.
Jobber
Someone who does small or odd jobs.
He worked as a jobber, fixing things around the house.
Heel
A contemptible person.
He was a heel for betraying his friends.
Jobber
A wrestler who loses to make another wrestler look strong.
The jobber was pinned in under a minute.
Heel
The heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.
Jobber
A stock market trader.
The jobber made quick profits on short-term trades.
Heel
The rounded posterior portion of the human foot under and behind the ankle.
Jobber
A middleman in merchandise distribution.
The jobber bought goods in bulk to resell.
Heel
The corresponding part of the hind foot of other vertebrates.
Jobber
An individual who performs tasks inadequately.
Don't hire that jobber; he does sloppy work.
Heel
A similar anatomical part, such as the fleshy rounded base of the human palm or the hind toe of a bird.
Jobber
One that buys merchandise from manufacturers and sells it to retailers.
Heel
The part, as of a sock, shoe, or stocking, that covers the heel.
Jobber
One that works by the job or by the contract.
Heel
The built-up portion of a shoe or boot, supporting the heel.
Jobber
Chiefly British A middleman in the exchange of stocks and securities among brokers.
Heel
One of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread.
Jobber
(archaic) One who works by the job (i.e. paid per individual piece of work) and/or recruits other people for such work.
Heel
The part of the head of a golf club where it joins the shaft.
Jobber
(theater) An actor temporarily employed for a specific role, often in a touring company.
Heel
The end of a violin bow where the handle is located.
Jobber
A promoter or broker of stocks for investment.
Heel
The lower end of a mast.
Jobber
An intermediary who buys and sells merchandise.
Heel
The after end of a ship's keel.
Jobber
A type of intermediary in the apparel industry, as well as others, who buys excess merchandise from brand owners and manufacturers, and sells to retailers at prices that are 20-70% below wholesale.
Heel
(Botany) The basal end of a plant cutting or tuber used in propagation.
Jobber
A market maker on the stock exchange.
Heel
Oppression; tyranny
Under the heel of Stalinism.
The heel of an autocrat.
Jobber
A performer whose primary role is to lose to established talent.
Heel
(Informal) A dishonorable or unscrupulous person.
Jobber
(slang) A thing (often used in a vague way to refer to something the name of which one cannot recall).
Heel
A tilt, as of a boat, to one side.
Jobber
One who works by the job.
Heel
To furnish with a heel or heels.
Jobber
A dealer in the public stocks or funds; a stockjobber.
Heel
To repair or replace the heels, as for shoes.
Jobber
One who buys goods from importers, wholesalers, or manufacturers, and sells to retailers.
Heel
(Slang) To furnish, especially with money.
Jobber
One who turns official or public business to private advantage; hence, one who performs low or mercenary work in office, politics, or intrigue.
Heel
To arm (a gamecock) with gaffs.
Jobber
Someone who buys large quantities of goods and resells to merchants rather than to the ultimate customers
Heel
To press or strike with the heel
Heel a horse.
Heel
To follow at one's heels
The dog won't heel.
Heel
To tilt or cause to tilt to one side.
Heel
To cover the roots of (a plant) with soil temporarily, as while preparing for a more permanent planting. Often with in
Heeled in the apple saplings until the orchard had been laid out.
Heel
(anatomy) The rear part of the foot, where it joins the leg.
Heel
The part of a shoe's sole which supports the foot's heel.
Heel
The rear part of a sock or similar covering for the foot.
Heel
The part of the palm of a hand closest to the wrist.
He drove the heel of his hand into the man's nose.
Heel
A woman's high-heeled shoe.
Heel
(firearms) The back, upper part of the stock.
Heel
The last or lowest part of anything.
The heel of a mast
The heel of a vessel
Heel
A crust end-piece of a loaf of bread.
Heel
(US) The base of a bun sliced in half lengthwise.
Heel
(informal) A contemptible, unscrupulous, inconsiderate or thoughtless person.
Heel
A headlining wrestler regarded as a "bad guy," whose ring persona embodies villainous or reprehensible traits and demonstrates characteristics of a braggart and a bully.
Heel
(card games) The cards set aside for later use in a patience or solitaire game.
Heel
Anything resembling a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob.
Heel
(architecture) The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter.
Heel
The obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping.
Heel
A cyma reversa.
Heel
(carpentry) The short side of an angled cut.
Heel
(golf) The part of a club head's face nearest the shaft.
Heel
The lower end of the bit (cutting edge) of an axehead; as opposed to the toe (upper end).
Heel
In a carding machine, the part of a flat nearest the cylinder.
Heel
(nautical) The junction between the keel and the stempost of a vessel; an angular wooden join connecting the two.
Heel
(nautical) The act of inclining or canting from a vertical position; a cant.
Heel
To follow at somebody's heels; to chase closely.
She called to her dog to heel.
Heel
To add a heel to, or increase the size of the heel of (a shoe or boot).
Heel
To kick with the heel.
Heel
(transitive) To perform by the use of the heels, as in dancing, running, etc.
Heel
(transitive) To arm with a gaff, as a cock for fighting.
Heel
To hit (the ball) with the heel of the club.
Heel
To make (a fair catch) standing with one foot forward, the heel on the ground and the toe up.
Heel
To incline to one side; to tilt.
Heel
To lean or tip to one side, as a ship; as, the ship heels aport; the boat heeled over when the squall struck it.
Heel
To perform by the use of the heels, as in dancing, running, and the like.
I cannot sing,Nor heel the high lavolt.
Heel
To add a heel to; as, to heel a shoe.
Heel
To arm with a gaff, as a cock for fighting.
Heel
To hit (the ball) with the heel of the club.
Heel
To make (a fair catch) standing with one foot advanced, the heel on the ground and the toe up.
Heel
The hinder part of the foot; sometimes, the whole foot; - in man or quadrupeds.
He [the stag] calls to mind his strength and then his speed,His winged heels and then his armed head.
Heel
The hinder part of any covering for the foot, as of a shoe, sock, etc.; specif., a solid part projecting downward from the hinder part of the sole of a boot or shoe.
Heel
The latter or remaining part of anything; the closing or concluding part.
Heel
Anything regarded as like a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob.
Heel
The part of a thing corresponding in position to the human heel; the lower part, or part on which a thing rests
Heel
Management by the heel, especially the spurred heel; as, the horse understands the heel well.
Heel
The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping.
Heel
The part of the face of the club head nearest the shaft.
Heel
In a carding machine, the part of a flat nearest the cylinder.
Heel
The bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground
Heel
The back part of the human foot
Heel
Someone who is morally reprehensible;
You dirty dog
Heel
One of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread
Heel
The lower end of a ship's mast
Heel
(golf) the part of the clubhead where it joins the shaft
Heel
The piece of leather that fits the heel
Heel
Tilt to one side;
The balloon heeled over
The wind made the vessel heel
The ship listed to starboard
Heel
Follow at the heels of a person
Heel
Perform with the heels;
Heel that dance
Heel
Strike with the heel of the club;
Heel a golf ball
Heel
Put a new heel on;
Heel shoes
Heel
A wrestling character designed to be the villain.
The heel cheated to win the match.
Heel
The back part of the foot.
She injured her heel during the run.
Heel
To follow closely behind.
The dog heeled as it followed its owner.
Common Curiosities
What does Heel mean in wrestling?
A "Heel" is a wrestling character that plays the villain role.
Is Jobber specific to wrestling?
No, "Jobber" can also refer to middlemen in trade or odd-job workers.
What is a Jobber?
A "Jobber" is a wrestler who loses matches to make others look strong.
Can Heel be a verb?
Yes, in wrestling, to "Heel" means to turn into a villain.
Is a Jobber important in wrestling?
Yes, a Jobber helps make other wrestlers look strong.
Do fans like the Heel?
Fans often boo the Heel, which is the intended reaction.
Do Jobbers have fan followings?
Generally less so than more prominent roles.
Can Heel be used outside wrestling?
Yes, "Heel" can refer to a dishonorable or contemptible person.
Is a Heel always a bad person?
In wrestling, the Heel is scripted to be disliked but may not be "bad."
Is Jobber ever a verb?
Generally no, "Jobber" is usually a noun.
Do Jobbers ever win?
Rarely, as their role is typically to lose.
Can a Heel become a hero?
Yes, this is known as a "face turn" in wrestling.
Can a Jobber become a Heel or hero?
Yes, but it's less common as Jobbers are usually less developed characters.
What's harder: playing a Heel or a Jobber?
Playing a Heel is often more complex due to the emotional engagement required.
Are Heels skilled wrestlers?
Often, as their role requires drawing strong audience reactions.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
