WWE is known for its larger-than-life storylines, but sometimes the drama spills out of the ring and into the real lives of the Superstars.
While most fans are aware of the iconic feuds between characters like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, there are rivalries behind the scenes that have made waves in the WWE Universe.
Let’s dive into six real-life WWE rivalries that you might not know about!
1. Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels: The Montreal Screwjob
When you think of legendary WWE rivalries, the first one that might come to mind is the bitter feud between Bret “Hitman” Hart and Shawn Michaels. However, this rivalry went far beyond the squared circle and remains one of the most infamous backstage incidents in wrestling history.
The infamous “Montreal Screwjob” in 1997 turned their professional tension into an all-out personal war.
The drama unfolded during the Survivor Series when Vince McMahon and a select group of officials manipulated the match to ensure that Michaels won the WWE Championship, despite Hart’s refusal to drop the title in his home country of Canada.
This betrayal led to years of animosity between the two, with both men publicly criticizing each other for their actions. While the two have since buried the hatchet, the fallout from this incident still lingers in the minds of WWE fans.
The Montreal Screwjob isn’t just a piece of WWE history, it’s a testament to how personal rivalries can spill into the spotlight.
2. Triple H vs CM Punk: The Power Struggle
When CM Punk made waves with his “pipe bomb” promo in 2011, he wasn’t just taking shots at the WWE product—he was also calling out Triple H, the man who was set to lead WWE after Vince McMahon. Punk’s discontentment with Triple H’s position as the “kingmaker” in WWE started when he felt like he was being held back in favor of the company’s favorite talent.
The tension became even more apparent when Punk’s controversial “shoot” promos drew attention to Triple H’s backstage power, hinting at a behind-the-scenes power struggle.
Triple H, the man who famously made his name through “The Game” persona, wasn’t a fan of Punk’s outspoken attitude, which created a rift between the two.
Their feud boiled over in 2011 and 2012 when Triple H was portrayed as a villain against Punk’s rebellious underdog character. While the two have since made peace, the conflict between them gave fans a rare glimpse into the power dynamics behind the WWE curtain.
The Punk vs. Triple H rivalry proves that real-life personalities and conflicts often make the best storylines.
3. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Vince McMahon: The War for Control
The feud between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon might seem like just a classic on-screen rivalry, but the animosity between the two went much deeper.
Austin’s rise to fame during the “Attitude Era” clashed with Vince’s vision for WWE, leading to an epic rivalry that transcended TV shows and storylines.
Austin, the rebellious antihero, constantly clashed with the authority figure Vince McMahon, symbolizing the fight between the working class and corporate power.
But it wasn’t just for the cameras. In real life, Austin didn’t always see eye to eye with McMahon on how WWE should be run, and the tension was palpable.
While their on-screen relationship was legendary, their rivalry was even more intense. Austin famously walked out of WWE in 2002 due to frustrations with creative direction, leading to a period of estrangement before their eventual reconciliation.
The Austin-McMahon rivalry wasn’t just about entertaining the fans—it was a metaphor for the wrestling business itself.
4. The Rock vs John Cena: A Battle of the Generations
The Rock and John Cena’s rivalry was built on more than just their in-ring skills—it was about representing two different eras of WWE. Cena, the face of WWE during the 2000s, was often criticized by fans for being too “clean cut” and not having the same raw edge as previous stars like Stone Cold or The Rock.
Meanwhile, The Rock was a larger-than-life figure from the ‘90s, known for his charisma and ability to connect with the crowd.
When The Rock returned to WWE in 2011, he and Cena began a heated feud that spanned two WrestleMania events. Though much of their rivalry was scripted for entertainment, there were real-life tensions between the two stars.
Cena’s frustration with The Rock’s part-time status in WWE only added fuel to the fire.
Despite the tensions, the two eventually embraced their rivalry as a generational clash. Their feud became one of the most memorable in WWE history, blending reality and storylines into an unforgettable spectacle.
The Rock and Cena rivalry shows that even a scripted feud can have real-life implications when two superstars represent different eras.
5. Randy Orton vs Chris Benoit: An Unexpected Feud
While many WWE rivalries are built around over-the-top storylines, the real-life tension between Randy Orton and Chris Benoit stemmed from a much more serious issue—respect.
Orton, a young up-and-comer in WWE, was often seen as having an attitude problem during his early years. Benoit, one of WWE’s most respected in-ring technicians, wasn’t shy about calling out Orton for his lack of professionalism.
The rivalry became public when Benoit reportedly refused to work with Orton in a match because of his behavior. This situation escalated to a point where it seemed like the two might never be able to work together.
Though their feud never reached the heights of other WWE rivalries, the real-life friction between Orton and Benoit proved that respect in the locker room is more important than anything else.
Orton and Benoit’s rivalry highlights how backstage issues can affect on-screen dynamics, even for veteran wrestlers.
6. Mick Foley vs The Undertaker: The Battle of Hardcore Legends
The legendary rivalry between Mick Foley and The Undertaker transcends wrestling fans’ expectations. On-screen, they were the most unlikely of rivals, with The Undertaker’s dark, eerie persona contrasting sharply against Foley’s chaotic and violent hardcore style.
However, their real-life rivalry was built on mutual respect and a shared love for wrestling’s more brutal side.
Even after years of rivalry, both men have expressed admiration for each other, showing that sometimes the fiercest rivalries come from a place of deep respect for the art of wrestling.
The Undertaker and Mick Foley’s rivalry is proof that some of the most brutal battles can come from two stars who genuinely respect each other’s craft.
Conclusion: Real-Life Drama Makes the WWE Even More Exciting
Behind every scripted rivalry, there are real-life issues, grudges, and stories that fuel the flames of the WWE Universe.
Whether it’s a power struggle, a clash of personalities, or a long-standing respect for each other’s skills, these real-life rivalries remind us that wrestling isn’t just about what happens in the ring, it’s about the drama, the personal stakes, and the larger-than-life stories that keep fans coming back for more.
