Few things define a professional sport quite like a great rivalry, and pro wrestling is no different. With decades-long grudges and blood feuds galore, these stories draw crowds, sell out arenas and turn these wrestling performers into legends.
Let’s relive 10 of the most iconic pro wrestling rivalries. They’ve redefined entertainment and storytelling inside that squared circle and without.
1. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon
The rivalry between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon is one of rebellion. Every worker’s dream came true as the boss finally got what was coming to him.
It started as a clash between Austin’s defiance and McMahon’s corporate tyranny, but it became a statement for WWE’s Attitude Era. Austin became a cultural icon, and the ratings went through the roof. Anti-establishment characters are great for WWE and Austin was a brilliant archetype. The promos, battles, memorable beer truck incident and the hospital bed ambush all made Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon an unforgettable rivalry.
2. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold had another rival in The Rock. As WWE headed into the new millennium, these two were at their peak. When they collided, the entire industry stood still. Their trilogy of WrestleMania showdowns is etched in history and was the true pinnacle of the Attitude Era.
Austin’s working-class no-nonsense persona complemented The Rock’s charisma. Their chemistry was unmatched and their matches are among the most replayed in WWE.
3. Hulk Hogan vs. Randy “Macho Man” Savage
In the late 1980s, The Mega Powers, as they were known, exploded. These two were more than rivals, they were a tag team led by Miss Elizabeth, Savage’s wife. It was a partnership that turned into one of the most emotionally charged rivalries in wrestling and jealousy played a huge part.
It was classic wrestling melodrama with a blend of real emotion and larger-than-life personalities. It made for unforgettable storytelling.
Now, the once-retired block-style logo made famous during Hulk Hogan’s time is making a comeback!
4. Shawn Michaels vs. Bret “The Hitman” Hart
Bret Hart was a disciplined technician while Shawn Michaels was a flamboyant showman. Their feud was a clash of egos and the two characters shared genuine hatred. This tension came out in the ring.
Their Iron Man match at WrestleMania 12 is a 60-minute wrestling classic. The Montreal Screwjob, though, is the most infamous of events for them both.
During the incident in November 1997, the match result was changed without Hart’s knowledge. It was considered a major screw over as it meant Hart lost the Championship. Originally, it was planned for him to retain the title after a disqualification. Hart had been unwilling to lose to Michaels because of their feud. The term “screwjob” then came into wrestling parlance.
5. John Cena vs. CM Punk
Cena was a marketable and polished wrestler while Punk was often overlooked. These two presented a different type of feud. CM Punk delivered a “Pipe Bomb” promo. He called out the WWE system and challenged Cena’s corporate image.
It blurred the lines of what was real and was a great WWE promo that reinvigorated the company just before 2011’s Money in the Bank in Chicago. When Punk won the Championship, it felt like an inside rebellion. Fans didn’t know what was real and what was fiction.
6. The Undertaker vs. Kane
Myth and emotion combined as the theme of the saga between The Undertaker and Kane. It was a little bit supernatural, with a lot of human drama. They were storyline siblings with a long-term rivalry that fans loved.
Their history and rivalry unfolded well over the years and led to many great encounters. Hell in a Cell, Inferno Match and WrestleMania XIV showcased their theatrical storytelling. They were a gothic masterpiece of sorts. You could never guess when their feud would be renewed.
7. Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes
Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes’ rivalry was double layered. It was about titles and identities. Flair was the rich and arrogant champion while Rhodes was the working man with a heart.
Their matches and promos were great storytelling involving class conflict, blood, sweat, tears and charisma.
Though there was genuine animosity between them, there was also mutual respect. Their ideologies, personalities and wrestling styles were all different. However, both were great talkers and entertainers.
8. Triple H vs. The Rock
The Rock had quite a few iconic rivals. In the mid-1990s, it was with Triple H, and it lasted decades. Their paths crossed constantly. It was the 1998 SummerSlam that made them main-event stars. Their later battles showed them off as good storytellers together.
This rivalry was one that helped WWE transition from the Attitude Era into the Ruthless Aggression Era and it’s one that still resonates.
9. Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada
A sport? An art form? Omega and Okada’s arrival in New Japan Pro Wrestling made it both. This became the best place for wrestling in the mid-2010s. Across their legendary series of matches, they brought athleticism, cinematic storytelling and psychology with them.
They drew global attention to New Japan Pro Wrestling and made Western fans see Japanese wrestling in a new light — no longer niche, but world-class artistry.
10. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair
Let’s face it, for many years, wrestling was dominated by male legends. That is until Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair broke barriers. It began as a friendship but quickly turned into a rivalry. Real-life tension contributed as well as professional competition.
Their feud helped women’s wrestling gain main-event status, and their attention-drawing actions resulted in WrestleMania 35 being the first to be headlined by women.
Wrestling rivalries and the thrill of prediction
Part of what makes these rivalries so exciting is the anticipation and suspense. Fans analyze every promo, all the storyline twists and try to predict what happens next. Betting on WWE is now part of a growing trend.
Fans can wager on everything from WrestleMania outcomes to surprise Royal Rumble entrants. It’s an extra layer of tension that makes it even more exciting. Sports entertainment betting has become a niche, but fast-growing market, and there are even promotions and bonuses tailored to these events. Many of them are available on AskGamblers.
Conclusion: The legacy of rivals
Great rivalries have always been the heartbeat of wrestling. They give matches meaning. People think WWE is falling out of favor, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The organization was even named one of the best mid-cap companies in 2023. One thing’s for sure, the next legendary feud is waiting in the wings.
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