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During the '90s, WWE stars mostly kept their real-life relationship with the stars they were feuding with to themselves. Whether their relationship was bitter or sweet, it was only for them to know, not for the fans sitting at home. Interestingly, it was something that was expected by the management too.
One main reason for this was that the company's officials reckoned that if two WWE stars, who were enemies on-screen, were seen hanging out together as friends in public, then it could risk the curtain of kayfabe to fall.
If something like this happens, then fans wouldn't be that interested in watching wrestling, since they'd know it was all scripted. Well, management was right about it back then but keeping things like this from fans isn't such a good idea anymore.
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The reason being, with the internet's existence, things start to surface on the internet the moment they happen. This is why WWE stars today don't care much about being seen in public as friends, even though they might be rivals on TV. Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman are perfect examples of this.
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While both men once fought each other as fierce rivals on TV, they simultaneously hung out as buddies in real life. Reigns and Strowman aren't the only WWE stars to do so. There are multiple pairs of WWE stars who've done this. Without further ado, let's take a peek at the list of other such superstars who are friends in real life.
#5 WWE Stars Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker
Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker had great chemistry in the ring. Some fans would say the off-screen relationship between the two stars helped them deliver great feuds, and they were absolutely right. However, it's just that HBK and 'Taker had a hostile relationship.
The reason being, HBK had an arrogant attitude and a bad habit of teasing other talents backstage. This was something Taker never appreciated. For this and several other reasons, both men didn't get along for several years. However, in 2002, the time came for them to make peace and start a fresh chapter of their friendship.
During his hiatus from WWE, HBK turned to religion. He also quit drinking and smoking as well as developed a new perspective. So, when he returned to WWE in 2002, he started walking on a new path by making peace with everyone.
He first went to 'Taker and apologized to him. Both men squashed their years-long beef and extended a hand of friendship to each other. Since then, both men have been good friends in real life despite working as rivals for most of their careers.
#4 WWE Stars Lita and Trish Stratus
When Lita and Trish Stratus signed with WWE, female stars weren't taken much seriously and also weren't given notable screentime. However, things got better in the early 2000s, thanks to the collective efforts of female stars and their hard work.
The officials had to change their perspective on the women's division of WWE and give the female stars more of their attention. Many female stars' careers took a drastic turn after this, including Lita and Stratus'.
From escorting male stars to the ring, the two women went on to have their own matches as singles competitors and were part of various feuds. Soon, they also got a chance to cross paths and start their feud that was revolutionary, to say the least.
On-screen, Lita and Stratus punched, kicked, and did crazy moves on each other. However, behind the scenes, they shook hands. Interestingly, they had been friends before becoming a part of WWE.
The two women first met each other during their time on the independent circuit. They worked only a few times together but connected with each other well and became friends.
Years later, they crossed paths as rivals in WWE and their feud brought the two women even closer. To this day, Lita and Stratus remain best friends.
#3 WWE Stars John Cena and Randy Orton
John Cena and Randy Orton are two of the most prominent stars in WWE history. Both men are multi-time champions and have defeated big stars to add a number to their world title victories. They have also crossed paths with each other on multiple occasions.
While Cena and Orton have mostly been seen as rivals on TV, the two men have been friends for a long time in real life. Most people don't know this, but Cena and Orton trained together at WWE's former developmental territory OVW. While honing their skills there, both men became friends in real life.
Cena and Orton's in-ring chemistry has always been labeled as special, yet different.
Cena and Orton haven't shared a ring in a long time. However, that's due to Cena, who has now transitioned to the role of a part-time WWE star.
Irrespective of this, both men still keep in touch with each other. They also occasionally tease each other with their posts on social media (like the one above).
#2 WWE Stars Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair made their main roster debut together in 2015. Shortly after, the two WWE stars formed an alliance with Paige and started feuding with other women on Raw and Smackdown. Dubbed as Team PCB, they were very successful.
However, their time as a faction came to an end soon after Paige betrayed Team PCB. This led to Lynch and Flair going their separate ways. Fortunately, these two women didn't stay away from each other too long. They came together but as rivals.
So far, Lynch and Flair have fought so many times that it's hard to keep track of their bouts. Their most remarkable feud to this date is the one that saw Lynch defeating Flair and Ronda Rousey in the main event of WrestleMania 35 to become a double champion.
Fans have mostly seen Lynch and Flair as enemies in WWE. However, both women have been besties behind the scenes for a long time.
Speaking in an interview, Flair was once asked about her real-life bond with Lynch. In reply, she said they make better enemies than friends on-screen. Despite this, they are and have been very close to each other in real life.
#1 WWE Stars Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose
WWE stars Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose made their main roster debut together as The Shield in 2012. They ran as an unstoppable faction for about two years before Rollins turned his back on his teammates.
Since it was one of the biggest betrayals of all time, WWE officials thereafter booked all three men in a feud against each other as singles stars. One of the most remarkable moments the three men ever shared as rivals was on the night of Money In The Bank 2016, where all three men held the WWE Title on the same day.
While after their first separation, Reigns, Rollins, and Ambrose came together two more times, their reunion lasted for merely a few months before they again turned into foes. Nonetheless, during their time together, both as friends and foes on the screen, Reigns, Rollins, and Ambrose have stayed brothers in real life and treated each other the same way too.
For instance, Ambrose isn't part of WWE anymore, but Reigns and Rollins regularly reach out to their former shield brother just to check how he's doing.
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