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The 21 Most Legendary WWE Rivalries Of All Time, Ranked
21. Daniel Bryan and The Authority
Rivalries are the lifeblood of the WWE. Without them, professional wrestling would not have the stakes that keep millions (and millions) of fans coming back for more. These are the best rivalries in the WWE's storied history.
In 2014, the WWE was defined by the rivalry between fan favorite Daniel Bryan and The Authority, led by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. After a rough year of being screwed over in nearly every way possible, Bryan finally reached the pinnacle of pro wrestling by defeating Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton to capture the WWE world heavyweight championship at WrestleMania 30. Yes!
(Image credit: WWE)
20. Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks
Former allies Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks started their epic rivalry--arguably the best in 2016--while they were on NXT. Not only did it have high stakes, it stayed fresh throughout the year.
The Boss and the Queen helped elevate the women’s division to heights wrestling hadn’t seen in a long time.
(Image credit: WWE)
19. Trish Stratus and Lita
Before the Flair-Banks rivalry, there was Lita and Trish Stratus. The two divas were natural rivals, with both starting in 2000 as managers for popular tag teams. Over the next several years, the two battled back and forth for the Women’s Championship, helping to further legitimize the title.
(Image credit: WWE)
18. Triple H and Mick Foley
This rivalry really kicked off at the finale of King of the Ring in 1997. By brutally beating Mick Foley (in character as Mankind), Triple H proved he was a rising WWE star.
Their rivalry didn’t end there, however. The two famously met again in an intense Street Fight at the Royal Rumble in 2000 where HHH again dominated Foley.
(Image credit: WWE)
17. The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar
Throughout their careers, Lesnar and the Undertaker met multiple times in high-profile matchups, including a bloody bout at Hell in a Cell. But no match was bigger than when the Beast Incarnate conquered the Deadman at WrestleMania 30, ending Taker's undefeated 'Mania streak.
(Image credit: WWE)
16. Triple H and CM Punk
Here’s one rivalry that spilled over into real life. In 2011, CM Punk’s popularity continued to rise, especially after his infamous "pipe bomb" promo. Despite this popularity, Triple H came out of "retirement" to beat Punk.
In 2014, Punk abruptly left the WWE. He revealed to The Art of Wrestling Podcast that he was fired by Triple H on his wedding day. Ouch.
(Image credit: WWE)
15. John Cena and Randy Orton
Cena and Orton are natural rivals. Debuting two months apart from each other in 2002, Cena and Orton are two of the most popular wrestlers of their era.
The feud between the two has only gotten more intense with time. Keep an eye out for these two superstars at this year's WrestleMania.
(Image credit: WWE)
14. Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels
Flair famously said, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man." And that's exactly what Michaels did when he bested the legend at WrestleMania 24 in a career-threatening match.
The bout was an instant classic, and a proper way for Flair to finish his in-ring career.
(Image credit: WWE)
13. Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant
These former friends had their most noteworthy bout at WrestleMania 3 in 1987, where they feuded over the championship belt. Hogan famously slammed Andre to successfully defend his title in front of a then-record 93,173 fans.
(Image credit: WWE)
12. John Cena and CM Punk
While some might say that Cena's best feud is with Randy Orton, rivalries are better when it enlists two polar opposites.
Cena--the face of the WWE--defined the "PG Era," while CM Punk was the WWE’s anti-hero. The two battled in multiple main events--including Summerslam and Night of Champions--but their best bout came at Money in the Bank in 2011.
(Image credit: WWE)
11. Undertaker and Mankind
This bloody feud began in 1996 when Mankind and the Phenom clashed at King of the Ring. The two continued their rivalry with the inaugural Boiler Room Brawl match at Summerslam, and then met again for a Buried Alive match.
The peak of their feud came in 1998 at King of the Ring, when 'Taker threw Mankind from the top of the Hell in a Cell, and then again through the top of the cage. It was one of the most legendary (and brutal) fights in WWE history.
(Image credit: WWE)
10. Triple H and Shawn Michaels
Triple H and Michaels were two former best friends, and leaders of one of the best stables in wrestling history: DX. For two-plus years--from 2002 to 2004--the former alliance members were locked in a heated rivalry after Michaels returned to the WWE to join NWO.
While this was a memorable rivalry, it wasn’t Triple H’s best…
(Image credit: WWE)
9. Undertaker and Triple H
This epic rivalry lasted longer than a decade, including three unbelievable WrestleMania matchups. In 2001, the two superstars battled at WrestleMania 17, where Taker withstood multiple sledgehammer shots to beat Triple H. The two clashed again at WrestleMania 27, with the Deadman outlasting Triple H after multiple Pedigrees.
Finally, the two met in an "End of an Era" match in a Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 28, where the Phenom extended his WrestleMania streak to 20 straight victories.
(Image credit: WWE)
8. The Rock and John Cena
It was only a matter of time before two of the most popular superstars in WWE history started their own iconic rivalry. And in the months before WrestleMania 28 and 29, this rivalry was real, according to Dwayne Johnson. It was such a heated feud, in fact, that the People’s Champion and Cena fought backstage.
In the ring, the two were a popular duo that headlined WrestleMania in back-to-back years.
(Image credit: WWE)
7. Triple H and The Rock
This rivalry began in 1996 when Rocky Maivia battled Hunter Hearst Helmsley at Survivor Series. Nobody thought it'd turn into one of the most intense feuds in WWE history.
After Steve Austin missed time with a neck injury, Triple H and the Rock helped to fill that massive void. The two superstars continued to battle in epic matches--like the Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title and the No. 1 Contender’s Strap Match--until the Great One departed for Hollywood.
(Image credit: WWE)
6. Undertaker and Kane
There's nothing better than a sibling rivalry, especially one between two seven-footers. Kane debuted in 1997 to ruin Taker in a Hell in a Cell match. The Phenom refused to fight his brother until WrestleMania 14 in 1998, where Undertaker used three Tombstone Piledrivers to finally defeat the Big Red Machine.
The Brothers of Destruction bounced between friends and foe over the next decade, but their rivalry remains one of the WWE's best.
(Image credit: WWE)
5. Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan
Former partners Hogan and Savage–-known as the Mega Powers--feuded throughout their careers. Their rivalry really heated up when Hogan started eyeing Savage's girl, Miss Elizabeth. Savage abandoned the Hulkster during a tag-team match against the Twin Towers and then attacked Hogan backstage.
This led to an intense match at WrestleMania 5, where Hogan came out on top. The two continued to battle it out for years to come.
(Image credit: WWE)
4. Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho
One of the best feuds last decade started in 2003 between Michaels and Chris Jericho, who had idolized the Heartbreak Kid. Michaels was set to announce retirement when Y2J came out and (accidentally) punched Michaels' wife. This led to one of the most intense matches in WWE history at Unforgiven.
(Image credit: WWE)
3. The Rock and Steve Austin
This rivalry between two of the most popular wrestlers of all time was so huge that it headlined WrestleMania three times in a span of five years. Their best match came in WrestleMania 19, where it took the Great One three Rock Bottoms to finally pin Stone Cold.
(Image credit: WWE)
2. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels
Two of the biggest stars of their era, Bret Hart and Michaels engaged in one of the most high-profile and infamous feuds in wrestling history. At WrestleMania 12 in 1996, the two met in the inaugural Iron Man match, with the Heartbreak Kid winning in overtime. This led to a rivalry that bled over into real life.
With Hart set to depart for the WCW, the Hitman refused to drop his title to Michaels at the 1997 Survivor Series. This led to the "Montreal Screw Job," where Vince McMahon stole the title from Hart.
(Image credit: WWE)
1. Steve Austin and Vince McMahon
This rivalry helped to define the WWE’s “Attitude Era.” Austin—the ultimate anti-authoritarian figure—rebelled against his boss Vince McMahon in the only way he knew how to: by chugging beer, flipping the double bird and giving the Stunner to any and everyone who got in his way.
The feud culminated in a brutal steel cage during the St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House event in 1999. Austin won, earning the right to a title match at WrestleMania 15.
(Image credit: WWE)
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Rivalries are the lifeblood of the WWE. Without them, professional wrestling would not have the stakes that keep millions (and millions) of fans coming back for more. These are the best rivalries in the WWE's storied history.
In 2014, the WWE was defined by the rivalry between fan favorite Daniel Bryan and The Authority, led by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. After a rough year of being screwed over in nearly every way possible, Bryan finally reached the pinnacle of pro wrestling by defeating Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton to capture the WWE world heavyweight championship at WrestleMania 30. Yes!
(Image credit: WWE)
20. Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks
Former allies Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks started their epic rivalry--arguably the best in 2016--while they were on NXT. Not only did it have high stakes, it stayed fresh throughout the year.
The Boss and the Queen helped elevate the women’s division to heights wrestling hadn’t seen in a long time.
(Image credit: WWE)
19. Trish Stratus and Lita
Before the Flair-Banks rivalry, there was Lita and Trish Stratus. The two divas were natural rivals, with both starting in 2000 as managers for popular tag teams. Over the next several years, the two battled back and forth for the Women’s Championship, helping to further legitimize the title.
(Image credit: WWE)
18. Triple H and Mick Foley
This rivalry really kicked off at the finale of King of the Ring in 1997. By brutally beating Mick Foley (in character as Mankind), Triple H proved he was a rising WWE star.
Their rivalry didn’t end there, however. The two famously met again in an intense Street Fight at the Royal Rumble in 2000 where HHH again dominated Foley.
(Image credit: WWE)
17. The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar
Throughout their careers, Lesnar and the Undertaker met multiple times in high-profile matchups, including a bloody bout at Hell in a Cell. But no match was bigger than when the Beast Incarnate conquered the Deadman at WrestleMania 30, ending Taker's undefeated 'Mania streak.
(Image credit: WWE)
16. Triple H and CM Punk
Here’s one rivalry that spilled over into real life. In 2011, CM Punk’s popularity continued to rise, especially after his infamous "pipe bomb" promo. Despite this popularity, Triple H came out of "retirement" to beat Punk.
In 2014, Punk abruptly left the WWE. He revealed to The Art of Wrestling Podcast that he was fired by Triple H on his wedding day. Ouch.
(Image credit: WWE)
15. John Cena and Randy Orton
Cena and Orton are natural rivals. Debuting two months apart from each other in 2002, Cena and Orton are two of the most popular wrestlers of their era.
The feud between the two has only gotten more intense with time. Keep an eye out for these two superstars at this year's WrestleMania.
(Image credit: WWE)
14. Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels
Flair famously said, "To be the man, you gotta beat the man." And that's exactly what Michaels did when he bested the legend at WrestleMania 24 in a career-threatening match.
The bout was an instant classic, and a proper way for Flair to finish his in-ring career.
(Image credit: WWE)
13. Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant
These former friends had their most noteworthy bout at WrestleMania 3 in 1987, where they feuded over the championship belt. Hogan famously slammed Andre to successfully defend his title in front of a then-record 93,173 fans.
(Image credit: WWE)
12. John Cena and CM Punk
While some might say that Cena's best feud is with Randy Orton, rivalries are better when it enlists two polar opposites.
Cena--the face of the WWE--defined the "PG Era," while CM Punk was the WWE’s anti-hero. The two battled in multiple main events--including Summerslam and Night of Champions--but their best bout came at Money in the Bank in 2011.
(Image credit: WWE)
11. Undertaker and Mankind
This bloody feud began in 1996 when Mankind and the Phenom clashed at King of the Ring. The two continued their rivalry with the inaugural Boiler Room Brawl match at Summerslam, and then met again for a Buried Alive match.
The peak of their feud came in 1998 at King of the Ring, when 'Taker threw Mankind from the top of the Hell in a Cell, and then again through the top of the cage. It was one of the most legendary (and brutal) fights in WWE history.
(Image credit: WWE)
10. Triple H and Shawn Michaels
Triple H and Michaels were two former best friends, and leaders of one of the best stables in wrestling history: DX. For two-plus years--from 2002 to 2004--the former alliance members were locked in a heated rivalry after Michaels returned to the WWE to join NWO.
While this was a memorable rivalry, it wasn’t Triple H’s best…
(Image credit: WWE)
9. Undertaker and Triple H
This epic rivalry lasted longer than a decade, including three unbelievable WrestleMania matchups. In 2001, the two superstars battled at WrestleMania 17, where Taker withstood multiple sledgehammer shots to beat Triple H. The two clashed again at WrestleMania 27, with the Deadman outlasting Triple H after multiple Pedigrees.
Finally, the two met in an "End of an Era" match in a Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 28, where the Phenom extended his WrestleMania streak to 20 straight victories.
(Image credit: WWE)
8. The Rock and John Cena
It was only a matter of time before two of the most popular superstars in WWE history started their own iconic rivalry. And in the months before WrestleMania 28 and 29, this rivalry was real, according to Dwayne Johnson. It was such a heated feud, in fact, that the People’s Champion and Cena fought backstage.
In the ring, the two were a popular duo that headlined WrestleMania in back-to-back years.
(Image credit: WWE)
7. Triple H and The Rock
This rivalry began in 1996 when Rocky Maivia battled Hunter Hearst Helmsley at Survivor Series. Nobody thought it'd turn into one of the most intense feuds in WWE history.
After Steve Austin missed time with a neck injury, Triple H and the Rock helped to fill that massive void. The two superstars continued to battle in epic matches--like the Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title and the No. 1 Contender’s Strap Match--until the Great One departed for Hollywood.
(Image credit: WWE)
6. Undertaker and Kane
There's nothing better than a sibling rivalry, especially one between two seven-footers. Kane debuted in 1997 to ruin Taker in a Hell in a Cell match. The Phenom refused to fight his brother until WrestleMania 14 in 1998, where Undertaker used three Tombstone Piledrivers to finally defeat the Big Red Machine.
The Brothers of Destruction bounced between friends and foe over the next decade, but their rivalry remains one of the WWE's best.
(Image credit: WWE)
5. Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan
Former partners Hogan and Savage–-known as the Mega Powers--feuded throughout their careers. Their rivalry really heated up when Hogan started eyeing Savage's girl, Miss Elizabeth. Savage abandoned the Hulkster during a tag-team match against the Twin Towers and then attacked Hogan backstage.
This led to an intense match at WrestleMania 5, where Hogan came out on top. The two continued to battle it out for years to come.
(Image credit: WWE)
4. Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho
One of the best feuds last decade started in 2003 between Michaels and Chris Jericho, who had idolized the Heartbreak Kid. Michaels was set to announce retirement when Y2J came out and (accidentally) punched Michaels' wife. This led to one of the most intense matches in WWE history at Unforgiven.
(Image credit: WWE)
3. The Rock and Steve Austin
This rivalry between two of the most popular wrestlers of all time was so huge that it headlined WrestleMania three times in a span of five years. Their best match came in WrestleMania 19, where it took the Great One three Rock Bottoms to finally pin Stone Cold.
(Image credit: WWE)
2. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels
Two of the biggest stars of their era, Bret Hart and Michaels engaged in one of the most high-profile and infamous feuds in wrestling history. At WrestleMania 12 in 1996, the two met in the inaugural Iron Man match, with the Heartbreak Kid winning in overtime. This led to a rivalry that bled over into real life.
With Hart set to depart for the WCW, the Hitman refused to drop his title to Michaels at the 1997 Survivor Series. This led to the "Montreal Screw Job," where Vince McMahon stole the title from Hart.
(Image credit: WWE)
1. Steve Austin and Vince McMahon
This rivalry helped to define the WWE’s “Attitude Era.” Austin—the ultimate anti-authoritarian figure—rebelled against his boss Vince McMahon in the only way he knew how to: by chugging beer, flipping the double bird and giving the Stunner to any and everyone who got in his way.
The feud culminated in a brutal steel cage during the St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House event in 1999. Austin won, earning the right to a title match at WrestleMania 15.
(Image credit: WWE)
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