7 best WWE feuds from 1996-2001

The period between 1996 and 2001 was a turning point for WWE, a time where they had to transition their product and move in a completely different direction. The often talked about cartoon like personalities were no longer valued or embraced by the fans at the time. There needed characters and rivalries that were rich in-depth and pushed the envelope of what was accepted. It was at this time where we saw the birth of characters such as The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and D-Generation X.

The above Superstars were the focal point of the company, and their presence, while pushing that aforementioned envelope, were embraced. While it may have signalled some departures from the company, it also ushered in some phenomenal feuds that are still talked about today.

Which feuds were among the best in the history of the company and caught our attention during the Attitude era? Here are the best WWE feuds between 1996 and 2001.

#7 The Undertaker vs. Kane

The brothers of destruction battled each other time and time again.

It had been teased for months, but when it finally happened, the look of shock and awe on the faces of everyone in attendance spoke volumes. In 1997, at the WWF's monthly In Your House pay-per-view, we witnessed the debut of a character that would prove to have tremendous longevity. During a match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, fans saw the debut of Kane. Escorted by Paul Bearer, Kane walked to the ring as the Undertaker looked on in complete shock.

With presence and power that was only comparable to that of The Undertaker, Kane came in and beat down his brother, sending a message. The two men battled off and on for a number of years, and at other points even aligned with one another. However, the intensity of their feud is something that fans will remember.

Some of the most innovative matches in the promotion's history are tied to these two, including when they faced each other in an Inferno match.

#6 The Undertaker vs. Mankind

One of the bloodiest and brutal feuds took place between The Undertaker and Mankind

Prior to Kane, The Undertaker was faced with a major challenge from another wrestler who was debuting in the company. The Deadman engaged in a longstanding feud with Mankind, one that even saw Paul Bearer betray The Undertaken and align with his opponent. When Mankind first arrived, he sat in a boiler room and interacted with rats, pulling out his hair while rocking back and forth, all the while claiming to want to beat down The Undertaker and destroy his legacy.

Their matches were among the most brutal fans had ever seen, as Mankind brought in innovative, dangerous and destructive concepts. After the two men faced each other, in boiler room brawls and buried alive matches, their Hell in the Cell match became synonymous with this feud and brought a whole new level of respect for Mankind.

It may be over twenty years since they faced each other, the memory lingers of Mankind falling off the top of the Cell onto the announce table at ringside, or going through the top of the cage and landing in the ring, resulting in his tooth being pushed up through his lip and out of his nose. A memorable rivalry to say the least.

#5 Triple H vs. Rock

Triple H and The Rock battled several times throughout the years

When Triple H and The Rock battled one another, it carried with it a number of different elements. They were initially seen as the premier talents in the mid-card and feuded for the Intercontinental championship.

In a rivalry that incorporated each man's faction, D-Generation X and the Nation of Domination, these men battled each other long and hard. And as they grew in popularity, their roles within the company began to change.

Fans witnessed these men transition from the mid-card to the main event, and renew their rivalry at that level. Both also switched between heel to face during that time frame. The sacrifices these two made during their matches against one another made it one of the best feuds of the late 90s.

#4 The Rock vs. Stone Cold

The Rock and Stone Cold battled each other time and time again

These two had moments where their roles were completely different. At one time, The Rock was viewed as the corporate champion, but later on, one of the biggest swerves took place and The Texas Rattlesnake ‘shook hands with the devil himself' and aligned with Vince McMahon.

However, it didn't matter who was the face or who was the heel, these two had tremendous chemistry. The number of chair shots, Stone Cold Stunners, and Rock Bottoms exchanged between the two were too numerous to count.

Besides the matches, the two had other memorable moments with one another. There was the time that The Rock's Lincoln Continental was run over by a monster truck, and on one famous occasion, The Great One was sprayed by a fire hose dispensing beer, along with the rest of Corporation.

It didn't matter what other elements got involved, it always began and ended with The Rock and Stone Cold. Their longstanding feud was among the greatest of the Attitude Era.

#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret 'Hitman' Hart

Austin and Hart had one of the fiercest rivalries in the company

This was a feud that had one of the unique twists, something that isn't commonly done in the wrestling business. When the feud began it was all about Stone Cold Steve Austin pursuing Bret Hart, with the intention of proving that it was Austin that was the best there is, was and ever will be.

Throughout their feud, Bret managed to get the better of Austin time and time again. However, during one of Austin's defeats, the roles and outlook for both men changed in the eyes of the fans.

Austin was never a quitter, and that was proven during their match at Wrestlemania 13 where The Hitman once again defeated Stone Cold. A beaten and bloodied Austin was put into the sharpshooter, his face a crimson mask and the visual of him passing out but never giving up will live on forever.

It was at that moment the fans turned on Hart and embraced Austin. The heel became the face and the face became the heel. The double turn was complete.

#2 Bret 'Hitman' Hart vs. 'The Heartbreak Kid' Shawn Michaels

The HBK and Hitman feud raged on for several years

While one match appears to define their rivalry, this was clearly one of the most competitive and longstanding feuds either man has had. Some things are believed to have been quite personal between them, but regardless both Bret ‘Hitman' Hart and Shawn Michaels brought all the fire and fury that they could.

It could be said that their feud dates back to Wrestlemania XII, when, in an iron man match, Hart and Michaels went an hour without a winner being determined.

After Michaels walked away as the champion, the animosity between the two was clearly evident. Of course, their most prominent match was the infamous Montreal Screwjob. At the time that the 1997 Survivor Series occurred, Bret Hart was set to depart the company and join World Championship Wrestling.

The problem was he wasn't going to drop the title to Michaels due to that aforementioned animosity, and because he believed Shawn had in the past refused to job to him.

#1 Vince McMahon vs. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin

Mr. McMahon and Stone Cold raged a war with one another that best reflected the Attitude Era

It was the feud that shaped the Attitude Era and drew in a new generation of wrestling fans. It was when Stone Cold crossed the boss. The rivalry between Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin was a feud that resonated with so many fans and still stands out to this day.

When Stone Cold hit Vince McMahon with the stunner for the first time, it represented what fans around the world wanted to do to their bosses for the longest time. The feud ran the gamut, with both men getting the better of the other at one time or another.

Whether it involved other members of the McMahon family or just between the two of them, the McMahon/Austin rivalry introduced some of the most memorable moments of the entire era.

Fans will recall the infamous beer bath that Austin doused McMahon with, along with the ‘Bang 3:16' moment that saw the chairman have an accident in his pants. Even though they eventually came together and formed an alliance, their longstanding feud was something that fans will long remember.