Ranking The Biggest Rivalries In WWE History (Ranked From 25 To 1)
25) CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy
CM Punk and Jeff Hardy battled over the World Heavyweight Championship in 2009. Punk retained the title at SummerSlam's TLC match, after which the rivalry peaked. 'The Straight Edge Superstar' eventually forced Hardy to leave WWE, adding to the drama. Moreover, Punk constantly trolled over his substance abuse issue during this feud which makes it one of the darkest stories of the PG rea.
24) Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho
Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho first iconic meeting came at WrestleMania 19 in 2003 where they put on the match of the night. They renewed their rivalry in 2008 where Michaels battled Jericho for the World Heavyweight Title in order for Y2J to prove that he was better than his childhood hero. One of their standout matches includes a classic ladder match at No Mercy 2008. The PPV ladder match saw Jericho slay Michaels and put an end to this feud.
23) The Rock ’n’ Roll Express vs. The Midnight Express
The Rock 'n' Roll Express and the Midnight Express fought through the 1980s in several promotions, including WWE and NWA. Their matches set the stage for tag team wrestling, featuring high-energy matches and crowd-filled arenas. The Rock 'n' Roll Express featured Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, while the Midnight Express presented Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane. Their matches were full-on drama with electrified audiences. This rivalry helped popularize team wrestling.
22) Tommy Dreamer vs. Raven
During ECW’s golden years in the mid-1990s, Tommy Dreamer and Raven engaged in a brutal and personal rivalry. Their fights involved hardcore brawls, with weapons and intense violence. Dreamer often played the hero fighting Raven’s dark, manipulative character. They feuded through multiple hardcore matches, including barbed wire and steel cage bouts. The feud ended with Dreamer forcing Raven to leave ECW in storyline.
21) Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair
From 2015 to 2018, Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair competed fiercely for the RAW women’s title. Starting with an iconic triple threat match at WrestleMania 32 also involving Sasha Banks, their rivalry elevated women’s wrestling with powerful matches and strong storytelling. Banks brought emotional intensity while Flair brought legacy and refinement as being the daughter of Ric Flair. They even fought in a 30-minute Iron Man and the first ever Woman's Hell in a Cell match and traded championships on both Raw and subsequent pay-per-views. Their battles inspired a generation and lifted the entire division’s profile.
20) The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar shocked fans by ending The Undertaker’s 21-0 WrestleMania streak at WrestleMania 30 in 2014. They fought multiple times afterward with hard-hitting matches full of power. Lesnar, a former UFC heavyweight champ, played the dominant force while the real-life Mark Callaway fought as a veteran legend. They clashed at big events including Hell in a Cell and SummerSlam in 2015. However, their rivalry initially kickstarted way back in 2002-03 during Lesnar's first year in the WWE over the Undisputed title.
19) Dusty Rhodes vs. Terry Funk
Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk feuded fiercely in the late 1970s and 1980s with wild, personal battles. Funk fought with rough brawling style while Rhodes mixed charisma and toughness. They fought often in steel cages and hardcore matches, involving allies at times. Their rivalry influenced southern wrestling, known for emotional and chaotic fights. Fans loved their gritty, passionate confrontations and it remained a legendary part of wrestling history.
18) Sting vs. Ric Flair
Sting and Ric Flair competed from 1988 to WCW’s final years, clashing over championships and control. Flair acted as the villain, while Sting was fan favorite rising star. They told stories of betrayal and trust lost in intense matches. Their rivalry included many fights for the WCW World Heavyweight Title. Their final match occurred on the final episode of WCW Nitro in 2001 after which the company went belly up. Their feud defines 1990s wrestling drama and passion.
17) Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
Once best friends, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s rivalry grew from jealousy and betrayal in Ring of Honor. After being signed to NXT, they fought brutal, emotional matches on WWE shows including the main roster in the mid 2010s. Owens wrestled aggressively while Zayn used technical skill and flight. Their rivalry included championship bouts and WrestleMania appearances. Moreover, they also worked together at times as prevalent from their WrestleMania 39 tag title victory against The Usos.
16) Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair
Starting in 2018, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair feuded fiercely for the women’s championships. Lynch gained superstardom with her “The Man” persona while Flair brought legacy and skill. They battled in physical matches and intense promos. Their rivalry featured high-profile matches at WrestleMania 32 and 35 and other major events such as the first ever all-women's Evolution pay-per-view. All in all, they pushed the women’s division into WWE’s main spotlight one half of the legendary Four Horsewomen.
15) The Undertaker vs. Kane
The Undertaker and Kane began their sibling rivalry in 1997, mixing family drama and darkness. They fought with fire, destruction, and tombstone piledrivers. The storyline revolved around a broken family and dark past. They battled for WWE titles and often interfered in each other’s rivalries. Their feud combined supernatural elements and raw emotion and resulted in two separate WrestleMania outings in 1998 and 2004. Fans enjoyed their theatrical and powerful confrontations. Moreover, they were quite successful as multi-time tag team champions as part of their 'Brothers of Destruction' tag team.
14) Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins
Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins started as partners in the trio named The Shield back in 2012 but soon became bitter rivals after Rollins broke the group by betraying Reigns and Dean Ambrose. They fought for top WWE championships in intense, high-profile matches at events like Money in the Bank and WrestleMania 41. Their feud reflected a battle for leadership and supremacy. Both wrestlers performed with great skill and chemistry. Duting the latter half, Reigns played the dominant champion as The Tribal Chief while Rollins acted as the cunning challenger. Their battles captivated fans over years and is often considered a cornerstone in the modern WWE landscape.
13) Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels
Initially being part of the dominant group DX in the late 1990s, Triple H betrayed Shawn Michaels when he returned to the WWE in 2002. This sparked a bitter rivalry filled with street fights and cage matches. They fought to settle personal and professional scores which also had the World Heavyweight title up for grabs on several occassions. Their battles told stories of pain, betrayal, and friendship lost. Both men are WWE legends with tremendous fan respect. Their matches pushed the limits of violence for storytelling and their feud defined parts of the Ruthless Aggression Era between 2002 and 2004.
12) Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage
Jealousy over Miss Elizabeth soured Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage’s friendship, turning it into an intense rivalry. Once billed as 'The Mega Powers', Savage eventually challenged Hogan over WWE’s top spot at WrestleMania 5. Both men brought charisma, personality, and bold promos to the feud. Their battles helped define WWE’s 1980s and early 1990s scene. Moreover, fans continue to remember their explosive clashes which also include a brief run in the late 1990s in WCW.
11) John Cena vs. Randy Orton
John Cena and Randy Orton battled for dominance in WWE for many years. Their rivalry featured WWE Championship battles and classic matches in the mid and late 2000s. Both wanted to prove they were the company’s future during the ruthless aggression and PG eras. They delivered intense, physical contests packed with storytelling. While Cena was the heroic face, Orton often the cunning heel or anti-hero. Their long feud helped make each into a legend themselves. Apart from that, it remains one of WWE’s longest-running rivalries.
10) The New Day vs. The Usos
The New Day and The Usos clashed as the finest tag teams in WWE’s modern era. Their matches were fast-paced, creative, and full of teamwork. Each team pushed the other to new heights of performance. Their rivalry energized the tag division and pleased fans worldwide. The New Day brought charisma and humor while The Usos brought athleticism and toughness. Their back-and-forth battles marked tag team wrestling’s resurgence.
9) Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns fought three times at WrestleMania including WrestleMania 31, 34 and 38, trading wins and titles. Their rivalry symbolizes power and star dominance in modern WWE. Lesnar acted as the dominant beast while Reigns was initially the resilient challenger. However, the dynamic changed after Reigns became The Tribal Chief and dominated the latter half of their feud. Their matches include brutal suplexes and signature finishing moves like the F5 and Spear. This feud certainly defines WWE’s current era’s intensity and showmanship.
8) John Cena vs. Edge
Edge shocked the WWE Universe by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on John Cena to win his first WWE Title back at New Year's Revolution in 2006. Their rivalry grew personal and intense across TLC and Last Man Standing matches. Edge won many battles, establishing himself as WWE’s top heel. Cena fought back, earning respect and solidifying his babyface status. Moreover, their feud helped launch Edge’s main-event career. Fans enjoyed their dramatic and physical contests during the company's PG era.
7) John Cena vs. CM Punk
John Cena and CM Punk’s rivalry became legendary for its energy and often larger than life narrative. Punk initially stunned fans by winning the WWE title at Money in the Bank 2011 and threatening Cena’s top position. His infamous Pipebomb promo during this phase was the spark that questioned WWE's status quo. Their battles grew personal, with sharp promos and intense matches. Punk’s outspoken attitude challenged WWE’s norms while Cena pushed back as WWE’s loyal top star. Their feud remains one of the decade’s most talked-about and combined skill, story, and real emotion.
6) Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Mr. McMahon
Stone Cold Steve Austin rebelled against WWE’s boss, Vince McMahon, sparking a historic rivalry. They clashed over control of WWE and Austin’s anti-authority attitude. Their battles created some of wrestling’s most unforgettable moments and shock promos. Austin became an iconic antihero while McMahon played the tyrannical boss. Moreover, their feud defined the popular Attitude Era and helped the company defeat WCW in the iconic Monday Night Wars.
5) Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant
Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant fought at WrestleMania III in a historic match in front of over 93000 fans. Viewers watched as Hogan bodyslammed the huge and 530lbs Andre, which was a shocking feat. Their rivalry symbolized the battle between an unstoppable force and the immovable object. They clashed again many times on big shows, drawing huge audiences. Their feud helped WWE grow in popularity during the 1980s boom. Moreover, it remains one of wrestling’s most iconic rivalries.
4) The Undertaker vs. Mankind
The Undertaker and Mankind fought brutal and unforgettable matches their Hell in a Cell bout at the 1998 King of the Ring event. During the match, Mankind took an unbelievable fall from the top of the cage through the commentator's desk which prompted Jim Ross to deliver his most iconic commentary snippets. The duo's battles certainly shocked and amazed fans worldwide. Undertaker’s power balanced Mankind’s wild, unpredictable style. They pushed limits for storytelling and hardcore wrestling and set a new bar for wrestling violence and drama.
3) Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels delivered one of WWE’s most emotional, skillful and personal rivalries. They fought classic matches including the Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII. However, their feud is largely remembered for the infamous Montreal Screwjob in 1997, mixing real-life tension with story drama. It led to personal troubles and Hart's departure from the company for WCW. On one hand, Hart represented Canada’s pride while Michaels played the controversial and cocky American heel. Their rivalry is famous for wrestling excellence, behind-the-scenes drama and defined the WWE's New Generation Era.
2) The Undertaker vs. Triple H
The Undertaker and Triple H met in three brutal WrestleMania matches including WrestleMania 17, 27 and 28. The final Hell in a Cell encounter in 2012 is fondly called the 'End of an Era' as it featured two of WWE's longest tenured rivals. Their intense feud included brutal matches during the Attitude and the modern eras of the WWE. Both men used their experience and skill to tell stories of rivalry and respect. Their final bout also featured Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee at Mania 28. Undertaker’s mystique prevailed against Triple H's grit which solidified his legacy as he beat both HHH and Michaels at WrestleMania events between 2009 and 2012. This rivalry stands as WWE’s greatest for its drama, physicality, and storytelling.
1) The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
The Rock and Steve Austin headlined WrestleMania on three separates occassions (WrestleMania 15, 17 and 19) with epic battles each time. Their rivalry featured trash talk, intense wrestling, and dramatic twists. Austin played the rebellious anti-hero while The Rock was intially the corporate heel. However, with time, the real-life Dwayne Johnson also became a babyface and the duo collided for the company's top spot for years to come. Moreover, their feud attracted huge viewership and defined the WWE’s Attitude Era.
