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WWE hasn't had the best history with tag teams and stables in recent years. Vince McMahon's tendency to break up friendships has become one of the most overused tropes for the company. In the past, relationships falling apart have been the catalyst for some of the most memorable rivalries in the history of the business.
Dating back to the 80s, there have been numerous examples of teams that were broken up to create tantalizing matchups and feuds for WWE. Shawn Michaels infamously ended the Rockers tag team by smashing Marty Jannetty through the Barber Shop window. This led to multiple exciting matchups between the two over the Intercontinental Championship. That is just one example of many.
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Friendship gone wrong has led to success for the competitors involved as well as the business. In this article, let's look back on five former teammates that have gone on to have spectacular WWE feuds.
#5 Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (WWE 2014-2016)
The Shield was one of the most dominant factions in WWE history. Bringing three young prospects from FCW and NXT together, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns became instant stars that were tailor made to the anchors of the company for years to come. Their run was highlighted by exceptional matches and amazing moments.
Following their victory over Evolution at Payback 2014, it seemed that the Shield could not reach greater heights in the eyes of the company. However, the fans had just fully embraced the group, making them fan favorites. This is what made Seth Rollins's betrayal of his brothers so shocking. Rollins joined The Authority and became their golden boy.
Meanwhile, this fully let loose Dean Ambrose. The Lunatic Fringe was hell bent on getting revenge on his former friend. This led to months and months of exchanges between the two men. They battled in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match where Kane helped his fellow Authority member, Seth Rollins, to victory.
Rollins and Ambrose finally went at it one-on-one at WWE Summerslam 2014 in a Lumberjack Match. In one of the most chaotic matches of this stipulation, Seth once again utilized The Authority to pull out a win. He then followed up the next night by smashing Dean's head with a Curb Stomp into cinder blocks. Their rivalry went into Hell In A Cell next to where Rollins once again used help to win.
The animosity would pick up again when Rollins became WWE Champion in 2015 where the two men locked horns at Elimination Chamber and Money In The Bank with Seth coming away with the gold. Finally, Dean Ambrose would get revenge in 2016 when he cashed in Money In The Bank on Rollins to win the WWE Championship. This still stands as the defining feud of both men's WWE runs.
#4 Sasha Banks vs. Bayley (WWE 2019-2020)
Despite the pandemic, 2020 became the year of the Golden Role Models in WWE. Bayley and Sasha Banks dominated WWE television across all three brand, becoming the best characters in the company. Bayley was the longest reigning SmackDown Women's Champion, while Sasha Banks defeated Asuka to become the Raw Women's Champion. They also held the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles.
Their run of dominance started to deteriorate at Summerslam when Asuka regained the Raw Women's Championship after beating Banks. Things escalated when The Golden Role Models lost the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships, losing to Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. The following week on Smackdown after losing a rematch, Bayley turned on her best friend, ending the partnership.
The two ladies were then at each other's throats. Sasha Banks unsuccessfully went after Bayley's title where the Role Model retained by getting herself disqualified. This all led to a showdown inside Hell In A Cell with the SmackDown Women's Championship on the line.
At Hell In A Cell 2020, Bayley and Sasha Banks put on one of the best women's matches in WWE history. It was innovative, hard hitting and emotional. They put their bodies on the line and delivered a Match of the Year candidate. Sasha Banks defeated Bayley to end her legendary reign in triumphant fashion.
Sasha Banks and Bayley were truly entertaining as partners and were the glue that kept WWE together during the pandemic. However, the end of their partnership proved why they had the same magic as rivals. Their Hell In A Cell Match stands up well against their all-time classic back at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn and proved why they are good friends, but better enemies.
#3 Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (WWE 2002-2004)
One of the greatest stables in WWE history is unquestionably D-Generation X. The original incarnation was fronted by Shawn Michaels with Triple H by his side. Michaels was the WWF Champion and leader of the group, while HHH was on the rise. When HBK lost the WWF Title to Stone Cold Steve Austin, "The Game" would take over the stable and start anew with Chyna, X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws.
However, the two men were still friends and would reunite in 2002. The reunion was short lived though. Triple H turned his back on Shawn Michaels, giving him a Pedigree. The Cerebral Assaisin took things further when he attacked Michaels in the parking lot a week later, which set up a showdown at WWE Summerslam 2002 in an unsanctioned match.
In one of the best WWE pay-per-views ever, Triple H and Shawn Michaels stole the show with The Heartbreak Kid showing that he still had it. Michaels won the match, but Hunter attacked him from behind with a sledgehammer to continue the feud. At Survivor Series 2002, Shawn Michaels pinned Triple H in the first Elimination Chamber to win his World Heavyweight Championship.
Triple H would get his revenge the following month at Armaggeddon 2002 in a Three Stages of Hell Match to win back the gold. The two men would feud off and on for two more years. They would both lose to Chris Benoit at WrestleMania 20 and Backlash 2004, which set the stage for one final encounter at WWE Bad Blood 2004.
The two friends turned rivals met in a Hell In A Cell Match to finally settle the score. It was a long, grueling contest that featured steel chairs, tables and sledgehammers. Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels and moved on from this war. The two men would reunite for good in 2006 to bring DX back, but no one would ever forget their clashes that dominated WWE for two years.
#2 Triple H vs. Batista (WWE 2003-2005)
Another stable that has stood the test of time in WWE has to be Evolution. Triple H headed this faction up himself this time, putting together a group to help him retain the World Heavyweight Championship. He already had the past in his corner with Ric Flair, but he recruited two young prospects to complete the faction. Randy Orton and Batista were taken under his wing to reach their full potential.
Evolution ran roughshod over WWE Raw for their entire run. After cutting loose Randy Orton and taking the World Heavyweight Championship from him, it seemed Triple H wanted to avoid Batista going down the same path as The Legend Killer. Tensions seemed to simmer underneath the surface between The Game and The Animal for months.
Batista achieved the biggest win of his career, winning the 2005 Royal Rumble Match to earn a guaranteed shot at the title of his choosing. Triple H wanted to dictate which title that was by manipulating Batista to believe WWE Champion JBL was targeting him. When it came time for Batista to finally make his choice, Triple H unintentionally exposed his devious plan.
In a shocking turn, Batista gave Triple H the same infamous thumbs down that The Game had given to Orton months earlier and beat down both Flair and Hunter. This led to WWE WrestleMania 21 where Batista defeated Triple H in the main event to win the World Heavyweight Championship. The Animal retained his gold over Triple H in a rematch at Backlash, but this didn't end things.
Triple H and Ric Flair devised a plan to weaken Batista in a brutal attack after The Game had taken weeks away to regroup following Backlash. He then made the challenge for one final encounter at Vengeance 2005 inside Hell In A Cell. It was Triple H's signature match in WWE that he ended the career of Mick Foley with and looked to end Batista's next.
At Vengeance 2005, Triple H and Batista put on a brutal and bloody affair that stands up as one of the best Hell In A Cell matches of all time. Batista would once again defeat The Game and finally put a close on their rivalry for now. They would restart hostilities 14 years later at WrestleMania 35 where Triple H finally beat The Animal. Their initial feud made Batista a superstar in WWE and beyond.
#1 Hulk Hogan vs. Macho Man Randy Savage (WWE 1987-1989)
Many of the top babyface stars have teamed together throughout WWE history. Before Two Dudes With Attitude or the Rock and Sock Connection, there was the Mega Powers of Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage. In late 1987, Hulk Hogan was in the middle of an epic run on top of the wrestling world. With movies and other opportunities coming in, they needed another top babyface.
Macho Man Randy Savage put on a magical performance at WrestleMania III against Ricky The Dragon Steamboat that saw him lose his WWF Intercontinental Championship, but also show Vince McMahon that he could be the top guy for WWE.
This led to the October 3rd, 1987 Saturday Night's Main Event where The Hart Foundation and Honky Tonk Man were jumping Savage. Miss Elizabeth was shoved down by Honky and headed to the back. When she returned, Elizabeth was escorted by Hulk Hogan, who came in and cleared the ring. Savage extended his hand to Hogan and they shook with The Mega Powers being born.
The Mega Powers were known as the most powerful force in WWE history according to Macho Man. They would team for the next few months before both men were entered in the WWF Championship Tournament at WrestleMania IV. Hogan and Andre The Giant were eliminated early. It came down to Macho Man and Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase in the finals.
Hogan would help Savage fend off Andre and nail Dibiase with a steel chair before Macho Man hit his flying elbow drop to win the WWF Championship for the first time. The Mega Powers dominated the WWE in 1988. At the 1988 Survivor Series, it became apparent that Savage was growing angry with the growing friendship of Hogan and Elizabeth.
At WWE Royal Rumble 1989, Hogan would accidentally eliminate Savage, furthering this animosity. These tensions finally spilled over the February 3rd, 1989 The Main Event special where The Mega Powers faced The Twin Towers. Savage ran into Miss Elizabeth during the match. Hogan was worried about her health, brought her to the back to get medical attention.
Hulk Hogan returned to the bout, but Macho Man was visibly displeased with being abandoned. Savage left Hogan, who went on to defeat The Twin Towers on his own. Back in the locker room, Macho Man was yelling at Miss Elizabeth. Hogan came to the back where Savage accused him of trying to steel Elizabeth and then attacked his partner.
This set up the main event for WWE WrestleMania V where The Mega Powers exploded. Hogan would defeat Savage in dramatic fashion to win the WWF Championship. The two men would continue their feud with Hogan getting the better of Savage.
This was one of the best built and most lucrative rivalries that WWE has ever had. Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage were an incredible team that set a standard for superteams in the company for years to come. However, their feud was undeniable and truly paid dividends. That is why The Mega Powers are the greatest former teammates turned rivals in WWE history.
