If wrestling has taught us anything, it’s that the heels — the cunning villains — always find creative ways to win. They don’t follow the rules, they bend them. They don’t just wrestle harder, they wrestle smarter. And while you don’t have to turn into the bad guy in life, you can borrow that mindset when it comes to building wealth.
That’s the heart of Side Hustle Like a Heel: 6 Passive Income Tactics So Sneaky, They Should Be Illegal! These are strategies that let you earn money behind the scenes, while you’re sleeping, streaming your favorite show, or even watching wrestling storylines unfold on a Monday night.
The difference between working a regular job and setting up passive income is like the difference between being a jobber and being the champion. Passive income tactics put your money and systems in the ring for you, fighting the fight while you sit back and count the wins.
Let’s break down six tactics that feel so sneaky you’ll swear Vince McMahon himself booked them.
Why Heel Tactics Work in Side Hustles
In wrestling, the heel thrives by using creativity, timing, and unpredictability. Passive income is no different. The “sneakiness” isn’t about breaking laws, it’s about using tools and opportunities most people ignore. The crowd doesn’t see it coming, but suddenly you’re the one holding the belt.
The magic of Side Hustle Like a Heel: 6 Passive Income Tactics So Sneaky, They Should Be Illegal! is that it’s not about grinding 80 hours a week. It’s about leveraging systems, platforms, and prompts to create streams of money that keep running whether or not you’re at your desk.
Tactic One: Affiliate Marketing with a Heel Twist
Affiliate marketing is classic, but the heel version is about being smarter with how you promote. Instead of blasting links everywhere, you create value-packed content that makes people trust your recommendations.
Prompt: “Write a blog post recommending three underrated wrestling documentaries. Insert affiliate links to streaming platforms naturally.”
Prompt: “Generate 10 Instagram captions that tease product reviews with affiliate links in the bio.”
Prompt: “Create a YouTube video script comparing two budget microphones for beginners, ending with an affiliate call to action.”
The sneaky part is that once content is live, it keeps earning without extra effort. Each view, click, or read is another potential commission.
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Tactic Two: Print-on-Demand Merch Drops
Print-on-demand is the merch table that never closes. The heel tactic is to niche down into communities that are passionate but underserved.
Prompt: “Brainstorm 20 wrestling-inspired t-shirt slogans for fans who love underdog babyfaces.”
Prompt: “Generate product descriptions for wrestling-themed hoodies that highlight comfort and fan pride.”
Prompt: “Create marketing copy for a coffee mug design that appeals to wrestling superfans.”
You don’t need inventory, shipping, or storage. Designs go up, platforms handle the rest, and you collect royalties. It’s heel-like because you earn while doing something once, then walking away.
Tactic Three: Faceless YouTube Channels
YouTube ad revenue is powerful, but the heel move is not showing your face. By creating channels that use stock footage, slideshows, or AI-generated voiceovers, you can stay behind the curtain while the income rolls in.
Prompt: “Write a 7-minute script for a video covering the top 5 heel promos in wrestling history.”
Prompt: “Generate 15 video title ideas for a channel focused on wrestling trivia.”
Prompt: “Create a YouTube description optimized for SEO about the history of ladder matches.”
It’s sneaky because people watch thinking they’re getting entertainment or education, while you’re quietly monetizing views through ads and affiliate links.
Tactic Four: PLR Product Rebranding
Private Label Rights (PLR) products are pre-made eBooks, courses, and templates that you can rebrand as your own. The heel tactic is polishing them up and selling them through platforms like Gumroad.
Prompt: “Rewrite this PLR eBook introduction on personal finance with a witty, conversational style.”
Prompt: “Create a 5-step checklist to bundle with a PLR eBook about productivity.”
Prompt: “Write a Gumroad sales description for a rebranded PLR course teaching side hustles.”
PLR is sneaky because you skip the hardest part — creating from scratch. You slap your own gimmick on it, and suddenly it’s a new product.
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Tactic Five: Notion and Canva Templates
Templates are like finishing moves — simple to execute once you know them, but powerful when repeated. Creating free or low-cost templates for Notion and Canva allows you to sell digital products that people reuse endlessly.
Prompt: “Design a Notion template for wrestling fans to track matches, predictions, and results.”
Prompt: “Create 10 Canva templates for Instagram stories that small businesses can customize.”
Prompt: “Write product descriptions for three productivity-focused Notion dashboards.”
Upload once, earn forever. That’s heel energy.
Tactic Six: Email Newsletters That Monetize
Email lists are sneaky powerful because you own the audience. Platforms like Substack make it free to start. You can share niche content and monetize through affiliate links, ads, or premium subscriptions.
Prompt: “Write a 500-word newsletter introducing free online income streams for beginners.”
Prompt: “Generate 10 subject lines that increase open rates for a wrestling-and-finance crossover newsletter.”
Prompt: “Create a 4-week content calendar for an email newsletter about side hustles.”
The heel twist is that while social platforms can ban or change rules, your email list is untouchable. It’s a fan base you carry wherever you go.
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Why These Tactics Work
Each of these six tactics shares three traits:
- Low to No Cost: They use free platforms and tools.
- Leverage: You set it up once, and it keeps working.
- Scalability: The more content you create, the bigger the stream grows.
The heel mindset makes them feel sneaky because they use shortcuts others ignore. While the babyfaces work harder, the heels work smarter.
How to Layer Heel Tactics
One tactic on its own is solid, but when you layer them, the effect multiplies. For example, you can build a YouTube channel, link affiliate products in the video description, and promote a free eBook that grows your email list. That’s a heel combo that keeps generating streams.
Prompt: “Create a 3-step funnel combining a YouTube video, affiliate link, and free email newsletter sign-up.”
Prompt: “Write copy for a landing page offering a free wrestling trivia eBook in exchange for an email address.”
Prompt: “Generate 10 ideas for digital products I can promote through an existing newsletter.”
This way, you’re not just earning in one lane. You’ve got heel-level schemes in motion, all running at the same time.
Turning Heel Without Losing Fans
The beauty of these tactics is that while they feel sneaky, they’re entirely legitimate. You’re providing value — entertainment, resources, products — while also setting yourself up with income. That’s how you heel-turn in the financial world without getting booed out of the arena.
The secret is balance. Don’t overload with spam or low-quality junk. The best heels still deliver a great show. Your audience should feel like they’re getting value, even if you’re the one cashing in.
From Heel Tactics to Babyface Payoffs
Ultimately, Side Hustle Like a Heel: 6 Passive Income Tactics So Sneaky, They Should Be Illegal! isn’t about being shady. It’s about realizing you don’t have to play fair in the game of time. Passive income is about stacking wins in the background, using free platforms, digital products, and prompts to keep money flowing.
Start with one tactic, master it, and then add more. Soon enough, you’ll be the one walking down the ramp with six belts — each one representing a sneaky passive income stream that works while you live your life.
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