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There are various reasons why WWE is the biggest pro wrestling company in the world. One primary reason for their massive success is the number of memorable rivalries they have featured over the years. Various global Superstars like The Undertaker, Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan have been a part of some of the most fascinating feuds in the history of WWE.
A rivalry can considered "great" if it has three main components: an intriguing storyline, excellent in-ring competition and lastly, a notable impact on WWE history.
Incredible rivalries between different Superstars are one of the reasons why fans keep coming back, and with every generation of wrestlers, new stories are born.
By examining the Attitude Era, the Golden Age, or the New Era, we can see that WWE managed to create several feuds in each era that stood out and got the fans invested in the product.
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Over the years, WWE has created several types of rivalries. While a good number of them were quite ordinary, others were so iconic that they impacted the entire industry. Let's take a look at the five greatest rivalries in WWE history.
#5 The rivalry between The Undertaker and Kane was one of the most enduring rivalries in WWE history
This rivalry between the two legends started when Kane made his debut in 1997. Kane made an immediate impact, literally, by ripping the door of the Hell In A Cell of its hinges and attacking his on-screen brother, The Undertaker.
The rivals clashed at WrestleMania XIV in 1998, where Undertaker picked up the victory over Kane by delivering three Tombstone Piledrivers.
This feud went on for more than a decade, during which time the brothers went from bitter enemies to partners and back again. They competed in almost every kind of match WWE has ever produced. They even completed in two inferno matches.
Without a doubt, this rivalry had a major impact on WWE and increased the popularity of both the Superstars. It also remains remarkable due to its complexity and its duration.
#4 Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H/The Authority changed WWE history
Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H/ The Authority was probably the best rivalry of the last decade. It all started at SummerSlam 2013 when Bryan became the WWE Champion by defeating John Cena. While he was celebrating his win, Triple H turned heel and attacked Bryan. Randy Orton then cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and won the WWE Championship.
The following month, Bryan won the title back at Night Of Champions, but he was stripped of it the next day. After WWE gave Bryan a few months in the spotlight, the company tried to push him back down to the mid-card. But the fans rejected this demotion and hijacked various shows with "Yes!" chants.
After a disappointing reaction at the Royal Rumble, WWE decided to change its approach and listened to the fans by giving Bryan two high-profile matches at WrestleMania 30.
He conquered Triple H in the first bout of the night to earn a spot in the title match. Bryan then beat Orton and Batista in a Triple Threat match to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
This rivalry is extremely important because it proved the power and influence of the fans over the planned booking behind the scenes.
#3 The Rock and Stone Cold created a thrilling rivalry in WWE
This feud started over the WWE Intercontinental Championship with Austin and The Rock trading the belt back and forth and having great matches and epic in-ring promos in 1997. But this was just the beginning of an iconic rivalry.
The duo met again in 1999 when The Rock aligned with The Corporation as the WWF Champion. Austin and The Rock competed for the title at WrestleMania XV, and Austin completed his six-month journey to regain the belt by winning the match.
This rivalry lasted for five years, and it was so legendary that it main evented WrestleMania thrice in five years. The Rock even retired the three-time Royal Rumble winner in the final chapter of the trilogy, closing the book on Austin's wrestling career on a solid note.
Moreover, what kept this rivalry exciting was the fact that we got to see different variations of it. WWE constantly offered new spins to this storyline, with heel Austin vs. babyface Rock, heel Rock vs. babyface Austin, and even babyface Rock vs. babyface Austin.
These two Superstars brought the best out of each other in the ring and on the mic. Everything they did was magical, which is why this feud will go down in history.
#2 Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart's rivalry had a huge impact on WWE
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels were two of the most popular Superstars in WWE during the 1990s. Naturaly, the duo engaged in a war on and off-screen. They had numerous battles throughout the decade, and their feud regularly offered dynamic programming.
Out of their numerous bouts, two of them undeniably stand above the rest. The first was the main event of WrestleMania XII, in which HBK defeated Bret Hart to capture his first WWF Championship.
The second was the infamous Montreal Screwjob, which took place at Survivor Series in 1997 in Hart's home country, Canada. Hart, who was about to go to WCW, did not want to drop the championship to Michaels because of their numerous personal issues. For example, Michaels publicly accused Hart of having an affair with Sunny.
So Vince McMahon legitimately stole the championship from Hart in one of the most infamous and controversial moments in pro wrestling history.
It took a long time for Michaels and Hart to bury the hatchet, both outside of the ring and on WWE television.
#1 Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin created the greatest rivalry in WWE history
This story of the sympathetic working man standing up to his overbearing rich boss helped WWE beat WCW once and for all. In doing so, WWE solidified its position as the most dominant pro wrestling promotion in the world.
The rivalry was incredibly entertaining, and it became must-see TV every week. The feud between Austin and McMahon arguably saved WWE's life. Without it, WWE might have lost the Monday Night Wars and ultimately gone under.
"Stone Cold" delivered his first Stunner to the boss in 1997, and this move laid the groundwork for their legendary rivalry.
After that, Austin made sure to infuriate McMahon every chance he got. He hosed McMahon and company down with beer, and he even invaded McMahon’s hospital room.
This rivalry undoubtedly created some of the most memorable moments in WWE history.
Their rivalry ended in a shocking fashion at WrestleMania X-Seven, where Austin and McMahon joined forces so that the Rattlesnake could capture the WWE Championship from The Rock.
WWE acknowledges or attempts to recreate this iconic rivalry every chance it gets, be it on the 15th Anniversary of WWE RAW or 10 years later at RAW 25. Its legacy will live on forever.
