Things I Love in Wrestling Pt. 2
I love a great rivalry. Whether it be fueled by emotion, storytelling, or just flat-out competition, a great rivalry gives us wrestling fans a reason to love what goes on in the squared circle. Here are some honorable mentions:
Shawn Michaels vs Triple H
This is one of the main examples of enemies to friends to lovers in the wrestling world. They fought wars against each other, banded together to fight wars against others in the ring, and had spectacular matches in their singles careers. This rivalry constantly has people debating who was the better man, but what us undeniable is that this feud was red hot. Notable matches in their rivalry would Armageddon '02, Survivor Series '02, and Bad Blood '04.
The old saying goes that nobody wins when the family feuds, but I'll be damned if the fights aren't entertaining. Bump and Boo the Spooky Two, aka Kane and Undertaker, were brothers from Parts Unknown who had amazing in ring work rates. Just like Triple H vs HBK, Kane and Taker were friends, enemies, and brothers. In all three of those aspects, the two had great matches. Their prime has since passed, but their impact is felt forever in the hearts of wrestling fans. Their best matches were at Wrestlemania 20, as well as a few episodes of Smackdown from '06-'08.
And now on to some of my favorites!
(Left to right: Lita, Trish Stratus)
Two generational wrestlers with completely different styles, Lita and Trish Stratus have participated in amazing feuds in their careers. During a time when the women of WWE were (sometimes) treated like dogs, these two were at the forefront of why women's wrestling was important. Other game changers in the 2000s include Jazz, Mickey James, and Gail Kim. Their most notable match was at Wrestlemania X-8 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the Women's Championship (pictured).
The Four Horsewomen vs Each Other
(Left to right: Bayley, Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch)
Moving from the Ruthless Aggression Era to the NXT Era, these four women revolutionized women's wrestling in NXT. Before them, NXT was recognized as WWE's developmental brand where wrestlers went when they weren't good enough to work on Raw and Smackdown. After them, NXT was recognized as Smackdown and Raw's equal and a proper third brand. One of the reasons why? The Four Horsewomen. They've had singles matches, tag matches, title matches, Wrestlemania matches, and as of May 14th, 2020, one (1) fatal four way match involving them. I honestly implore you to watch this rivalry. Starting in NXT back in 2014 to the present day, the Four Horsewomen are a beacon of hope in a sport that, at times, seems extremely bleak as far as storylines. The most notable matches are Sasha Banks vs Bayley for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT Takeover Brooklyn 1, Becky Lynch vs Charlotte in a Last Woman Standing Match for the Smackdown Women's Championship at Evolution 1, and Sasha Banks vs Charlotte at Hell in a Cell 2016.
Also, congratulations to Becky Lynch on your pregnancy, here's to your years of service, have an amazing maternity leave! 🍾
Keith Lee vs Dominik Dijakovic
(Left to right: Dominik Dijakovic, Keith Lee)
How to describe this feud in tumblr terms...? Ah! I got it!
Big Beefy Bois Doing Things That Beefy Bois Shouldn't Be Able To Do.
The most recent example of Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better, Dijakovic and Lee started lighting up NXT last year, and have put on entertaining matches every time they step into the ring.
This feud has everything: Mutual respect, likeable characters, fan support, and most of all, really really good wrestling. Every match of their matches are amazing, watch all of them.
Shane McMahon vs Vince McMahon
This rivalry has a lot of layers that honestly make it seen like a fever dream. Here's some of them:
Treating Trish Stratus like a dog
Levels of resentment that are ABSOLUTELY MENTAL
And the worst example of father-son bonding
This storyline is a soap opera from start to finish, and if you're a fan of twists and turns, this is the one for you. Their blowoff match was a Street Fight at Wrestlemania X-7 in Houston, Texas, but the entire feud is absolutely bananas.
The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin
Moving from one Attitude Era rivalry to another, it's the most electrifying game of You Think That's Good? Hold My Beer. A lot of people only know The Rock as a movie star, but he was also an excellent wrestler. His matches were amazing, his promos were breathtaking, and the one wrestler to truly match that energy is Stone Cold. Austin also cut great promos, his best one coming after he won King of the Ring in 1996. The crowd reactions when they walk out is like nothing else, and there's nothing that has come close to it ever since. Their notable matches being the Wrestlemania Trilogy at 15, X-7, and 19 (pictured).
Tomasso Ciampa vs Johnny Gargano
(Left to right: Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano)
From the greatest Attitude Era rivalry to NXT's portrayal of Friends to Enemies to Lovers to Enemies again, Gargano vs Ciampa is the greatest story in NXT.
They burst onto the scene as Projecy DIY, a tag team that lit the yellow brand on fire. The two wrestlers were over like rover with the fans, but could never quite win the big one. During their run, Gargano and Ciampa had a one on one match during the first Ceuiserweight Classic, with Ciampa winning. This where the dissention started to show. They won the tag titles at NXT Takeover Toronto, and all was safe... for now. At NXT Takeover Chicago 1, they lost the titles, and Project DIY was over. And so began the greatest rivalry in NXT history. Through injury, emotion, and immaculate storytelling, this is an Oscar-winning piece of wrestling history.
Just like Lee vs Dijakovic, all their matches are great, and the storyline is like no other.
And that's some of my favorite wrestling rivalries! What are some of yours? Let me know!
