Jerkass Woobie/Pro Wrestling


 * Edge is arguably one of the best examples in modern wrestling history. True, his character did evolve a great deal over the course of his 2004-2010 heel run, but there was always one constant: an athlete who had worshipped the wrestling business since he was a boy and was determined to dedicate his entire life to achieving excellence in that field. Many of the things he said and did, while despicable in the most morally traditional sense, were actually quite reasonable, such as his justification for attacking John Cena after Cena had just barely survived a chamber match against five other men: I had a year-long contract for a WWE Championship match, was patient and bided my time until the moment was right, and now I reap the rewards. And sure, a lot of people didn't like it, but it was my right as Money in the Bank winner and there's nothing in the rulebook saying I can't do it. Later, when he betrayed his Kayfabe wife Vickie Guerrero, it was easy to see that his motivation was not simply that he was a Jerkass but because he honestly couldn't keep his lustful desires in check. Admit it: you were sad when Vickie (initially) refused to forgive him and, instead, basically sentenced him to death at the hands of The Undertaker.
 * Layla El for some. True, she was a dirty heel (an exaggerated version of The Alpha Bitch), but she really did care for Michelle and loved her like a sister. You had to feel sorry for her when Michelle turned on her and attacked her. Then Layla had to retire her and Michelle became a Jerkass Woobie for the few minutes when she was left crying in the ring.
 * Alex Riley, The Miz's personal attendant who is pretty much a Butt Monkey. He got blamed for everything that went wrong for The Miz and got humiliated repeatedly. When Miz finally fired him, it looked like Alex was about to cry. But then he just attacked Miz instead.
 * Ricardo Rodriguez, personal announcer of Alberto Del Rio. While he joins in on any of Del Rio's malicious antics and even intervenes on his behalf, this also often leads to him acting as Rio's meat shield whenever he needs a diversion, with pretty much the entire roster taking sadistic pleasure in beating the living snot out of him, either to make a message to his boss or just because they hate the smug little weasel. Since he is an announcer, unlike other examples here, he can't really dish it back either, the pants shitting terror whenever he is cornered by a vengeful opponent is very evident.