The essential episodes of WWE Rivals
Watch these 15 in order and you've got WWE Rivals — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Bret "The Hitman" Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
The most heated and personal rivalry in sports entertainment history takes center stage. In the 1990s, Bret "The Hitman" Hart and Shawn Michaels excelled inside the ring, but behind the scenes real-life issues between the men boiled over in a moment known as "The Montreal Screw Job." Former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable of Legends and Superstars that includes Kevin Nash, Kofi Kingston, Tamina and John Bradshaw Layfield.
- 02
The twenty year rivalry of two of the greatest characters in WWE history, Undertaker and Kane, is explored in this episode. From outlandish matches that featured fire to ending in a casket, the on-screen animosity and behind-the-scenes friendship resulted in one of WWE's greatest and most legendary stories. Former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable of Legends and Superstars that includes Kevin Nash, Kofi Kingston, Tamina and John Bradshaw Layfield, breaking down one of WWE's most legendary stories.
- 03
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. The Rock
In 1998, Stone Cold Steve Austin took the sports entertainment world by storm, while Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was a rising star in WWE. While the megastars pushed the industry to new heights, their rivalry developed both on screen and behind the scenes to create two of the most memorable Superstars in the world. Former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable of Legends and Superstars that includes Kevin Nash, Kofi Kingston, Tamina and John Bradshaw Layfield, dissecting one of WWE's biggest on-screen rivalries in history.
- 04
The on-screen rivalry between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar is a clash of two of the most highly decorated amateur wrestlers to ever lace up boots in WWE. Every time these two men stepped into a WWE ring, their moves set the bar for true athleticism. But personal issues outside the ring complicated things inside the squared circle. Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable discussion with Kevin Nash, Cody Rhodes, Beth Phoenix and John Bradshaw Layfield, to break down this unique rivalry.
- 05
The battle between WWE & WCW for the top spot on television in the mid 90's/early 2000's, took the entertainment world by storm. Commonly known as the "Monday Night Wars," WWE used its cutting-edge product to combat Ted Turner's WCW. But in a landscape where only one company could survive, this rivalry was a true roller-coaster ride until the very end. Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable discussion with Kevin Nash, Kofi Kingston, Tamina and John Bradshaw Layfield, breaking down one of wrestling's most legendary stories.
- 06
There were never two more polar opposites than Mick Foley & "Hunter Hearst Helmsley" (aka Triple H). From street fights at Madison Square Garden to battling inside Hell in a Cell, Mick would be the measuring stick for Hunter to prove his true toughness. All while Helmsley shined a spotlight on Foley's more relatable human side, allowing WWE's most unlikely hero to carve out his place in history. Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable discussion with Kevin Nash, Cody Rhodes, Beth Phoenix and John Bradshaw Layfield, to break down this unique rivalry.
- 07
In 2006, John Cena & Edge's battle over the WWE Championship brought both Superstars to new heights...something they only could have reached together. Their combustible rivalry saw two men who appeared on-screen as opposites, but shared the same goal of becoming champions. Cena and Edge relive their epic conflicts against one another exclusively here. Plus, Freddie Prinze Jr. breaks down what made this all so memorable in a roundtable discussion with Kevin Nash, Cody Rhodes, Beth Phoenix and John Bradshaw Layfield.
- 08
Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero
The on-screen rivalry between Eddie Guerrero & Rey Mysterio was a true battle between two of the most dynamic and successful luchadores in sports entertainment history. From their revolutionary matches to their intense plot line involving Rey's son Dominick, both Rey & Eddie pushed the envelope when it came to storytelling inside and outside of the ring. A roundtable of experts composed of Freddie Prinze Jr., Kevin Nash, Natalya Neidhart, Bayley and John Bradshaw Layfield, break down this emotional journey.
- 09
Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant
The main event at WrestleMania III between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant was a tipping point for WWE, cementing wrestling's place in pop culture history. But Andre and Hogan's rivalry goes back nearly a decade, where Hogan had to earn the trust of the "8th wonder of the World." The torch was soon passed from Andre to Hogan, who became the biggest star in the history of professional wrestling. Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable discussion with Booker T, Natalya, D-Von Dudley and John Bradshaw Layfield about this historic rivalry.
- 10
During the peak of WWE's Attitude Era, two women helped redefine what it meant to be a female competitor in sports entertainment; during their on-screen rivalry, Trish Stratus reached exceptional highs, while Lita would face a number of roadblocks.
- 11
Hulk Hogan vs. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
In 1985, Hulk Hogan leads WWE into a new era with the first "WrestleMania"; while Hogan gets much of the credit, his nemesis Rowdy Roddy Piper feels under-appreciated as the villain.
- 12
Jake "The Snake" Roberts vs. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
In the early 90s, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage and Jake 'The Snake' Roberts were entangled in the most personal of rivalries that centered around Randy's wife, Miss Elizabeth. Much more than a standard wrestling storyline, both men became embroiled in a heated battle that included a notorious snake bite in the ring. Freddie Prinze Jr. leads a roundtable discussion with Kevin Nash, Natalya Neidhart, Bayley and John Bradshaw Layfield to analyze their rivalry.
- 13
For two decades, Undertaker and Shawn Michaels were the cornerstones of WWE. Behind the scenes, they were often at odds and had little in common. But despite personal animosity backstage, these two men had a magical chemistry on-screen, creating some of the most captivating moments in WWE history. A roundtable of experts composed of Freddie Prinze Jr., Kevin Nash, Cody Rhodes, Beth Phoenix and John Bradshaw Layfield shed light on this notable battle.
- 14
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin vs. Booker T
When the Monday Night Wars between WWE & WCW ended, the superstars of both franchises found themselves under one roof. WCW star, Booker T sought to make a name for himself by battling WWE’s biggest superstar, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, both in and out of the ring, across multiple arenas, supermarkets, and even a church! Gabriel Iglesias breaks down this memorable rivalry with Kofi Kingston, Natalya Neidhart, X-Pac and John Bradshaw Layfield.
- 15
Dusty Rhodes, better known as “The American Dream,” captured the hearts of millions of fans in the 70’s and 80’s. Among those fans was a young wrestler, who would eventually become known as the “Nature Boy,” Ric Flair. Dusty helped Ric on his journey of becoming a superstar. The two would square off in classic confrontations, in the ring and on the mic, as they each competed to become the top star in the industry. A roundtable composed of Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Kofi Kingston, Natalya Neidhart, X-Pac and John Bradshaw Layfield, discuss this unforgettable rivalry.
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