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In the world of professional wrestling, travelling and showcasing your craft to millions is an obvious part-and-parcel for every single WWE superstar.
The talented performers travelling the world intending to expand WWE's reach on different platforms get the opportunity to hit the road with their fellow peers.
Many WWE Superstars who we see engage in entertaining barnburners between the ropes are actually very good pals behind-the-scenes.
Previously, the concept of presenting two different characters as a heel/face was taken too seriously by the fans. An era devoid of social media bolstered the character's on-screen credibility, leaving us with no information on his off-screen life and relationships.
However, in today's day and age, it has all changed. The fans keep tabs on every superstar's personal journey and can get a closer look at their day-to-day lives.
Even though WWE does Network Specials to keep the audiences invested in their favorite male or female superstars, there are many real-life friendships the company never acknowledges on live television.
Here are the 5 real-life friendships WWE never acknowledges on television.
#1. Daniel Bryan and Shinsuke Nakamura
Two of the most proficient competitors inside the squared circle of WWE, Daniel Bryan and Shinsuke Nakamura share an incredible friendship behind-the-scenes.
In the early 2000s, the two insanely talented performers lived together in Santa Monica, California. Bryan's affiliation with New Japan Pro Wrestling brought him close to The King Strong Style, with the two grapplers training together to elevate their already established credentials.
Whilst the two lived as roommates for a brief amount of time, it's a travesty that we haven't seen the two feud or collide inside a 20 x 20 WWE ring.
Moreover, both the performers have openly stated their desire to clash against each other, someday. Since WWE has never given us a legitimate program between the two despite them working under the blue brand, the company seriously acknowledging their real-life bond may very well be an 'out of the bloom' moment.
#2. John Cena and Cesaro
Having been the standard-bearer of Vince McMahon's billion-dollar company since so long, John Cena has been able to build a lot of strong bonds with his peers.
One such name is Cesaro. This real-life friendship relies more on respect and affirmation than travelling and living together.
Whilst the Swiss Superman also shares an interestingly strong friendship with Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and Sheamus, his friendship with The Cenation Leader does not get acknowledged, at all.
Both the performers share an incredible camaraderie behind-the-scenes, with the former United States Champion usually seen working out with the 16-time World Champion.
Being in the industry for so long, Cena always takes the opportunity to put Cesaro over, be it the media interactions, or in front of a live audience.
Despite Cesaro delivering so many blockbuster matches, his match against John Cena on the July 6th, 2015 edition of Monday Night Raw remains an all-time classic.
Even if WWE does not acknowledge Cesaro as much as they should, one cannot deny that he has earned the adulation of his peers, especially his off-screen friend, John Cena.
#3. Kevin Owens and Finn Balor
With WWE overdoing the Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn storyline on television, the former Universal Champion's off-screen bond with Finn Balor remains unacknowledged.
The two became pretty close whilst working under Triple H's supervision in NXT and their love for professional wrestling instantly turned them into best friends.
The Prizefighter has never hesitated in admitting his affirmation for the First-Ever Universal Champion. In an interview with Chuck Carroll for CBS Los Angeles in 2018, Owens openly stated his admiration for Balor and wishes to tussle it out with him at The Grandest Stage of Them All, some fine day.
“There are so many guys I wish I could wrestle, but if it was up to me, whatever I would do would lead to me and Finn Bálor at WrestleMania next year, because he and I came to WWE the exact same time. We didn’t know each other before we got there. We became pretty close pretty quickly when we did get to the NXT Performance Center. He’s been my best friend ever since, so I’d love to share the ring with him on that stage in WrestleMania.”
#4. Braun Strowman and Drake Maverick
Looking at how distinct their career paths have been, seeing Braun Strowman and Drake Maverick sharing such an incredible friendship only proves that friendship does come in all shapes and sizes.
Maverick, who deserves all the adulation in the world for elevating a title which felt 'dead on arrival', is very close to The Monster Among Men and is often seen spending quality time with him, via social media.
Moreover, Strowman was one of the groomsmen in Maverick's wedding and their Instagram posts are only a testament to how strong this friendship really is.
Considering that the two took such a different route before landing in WWE, it's hard to even believe that their bond is much stronger than most in the locker room.
Since both the performers have been kept so away from each other, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the company never acknowledges their off-screen affirmation.
#5. AJ Styles and The Undertaker
Now, this may come to stun some fans, but AJ. Styles and The Undertaker do share a very strong friendship in real life.
We all know that The Undertaker is Vince McMahon's greatest creation and the Chairman of will do absolutely everything to keep The Phenom's character sacred.
Since his on-screen persona is so distinct from the other performers on the roster, it would be very weird to see anyone in the WWE ever acknowledging it on live television.
Even though The Phenomenal One did share the ring with The Undertaker for a special segment before the Survivor Series in 2016, the two have never faced each other inside the squared circle, let alone WWE.
However, this does not restrict the two from keeping tabs on each other's life. In an interview with Inside the Ropes, the former WWE Champion gave us an insight on his relationship with The Phenom.
"I can tell you I was emotional because he's my friend. He and I have got a relationship between both of us have the same friend that we're very close to, so he and I developed this relationship without even knowing each other that well. But it was heartbreaking a little bit because this is the guy that's been here for so long and has shaped the WWE into what it is now.
