Successful pro wrestling companies are built on good rivalries. The hotter the feud, the more attention the product receives. More attention means more ticket sales, which means more money. Soon, fans aren’t paying just to see their favorites; they’re paying to see their favorites win.
There’s nothing like a five-star feud to bring the best out of a company, and nothing makes the audience happier. It’s a very simple formula, and one that has worked for years in the business. This is especially true of WWE, where the New Era is the wave of the future.
WWE has finally turned the corner on its next phase of evolution, and for many fans, it could not have come fast enough. Gone are the days of John Cena versus Randy Orton and The Undertaker versus Kane.
Those feuds and others, were top notch, but became so played out over time due to WWE not moving ahead with newer talent.
But all of that is changing now, as a new day has definitely dawned for the house that McMahon built. The brand split will bring about huge changes that fans can’t even comprehend at this point, and that makes for a more exciting company.
New is better, and WWE is preparing to prove that now.
But at the root of it all are the rivalries. If compelling stories of talented workers vying for pro wrestling glory are not successfully told via intense feuds, then no evolution will work. New faces can come in and new sets can be built, but the basic formula must exist for it any of it to matter.
Lucky for WWE, there are five key feuds that are ready to successfully define the New Era.
#5 Finn Balor vs. AJ Styles
This is not a current feud, but one that should take place in the very near future. Finn Balor and AJ Styles are believed by many to be the next great combo in WWE. After all, how could Balor not join The Club when he debuts on WWE’s main roster? Wouldn’t his addition be a smart move here?
But the truth is there’s more drama in Balor versus Styles than Balor with The Club. Just because they share a common bond from New Japan does not mean they would become allies now. Finn could very well take exception to AJ’s Bullet Club spin-off, and their first face-to-face meeting on WWE programming could be a hostile confrontation.
That confrontation could lead to all-out war, and that war would become the stuff of legend. Styles and Balor are both tremendous talents in the ring, and just seeing them work together would be enough to immediately build an instant classic for fans.
They’re similar in the ring, as both men are high octane risk takers. They can also both get it done on the mat, and put on a clinic for everyone in the locker room. The story their rivalry would tell will be highly entertaining, and it’s a great choice to headline the new tomorrow of WWE.
It would be the future of the company playing out before the world, and for the first time, that future would not revolve around The Shield. Balor versus Styles is a logical feud that must happen and when it does, it will be over from the very moment it begins.
#4 Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks
The Women’s Championship has already seen its new day begin, and Charlotte has been wearing it like no other Superstar can. She’s definitely her father’s daughter, as her heel persona has defined her title run to this point. When fans think of the championship, they immediately think of Charlotte.
But Ric Flair needed Dusty Rhodes, and that’s what Charlotte has with Sasha Banks. Sasha is the definite fan favourite, and one that many feel should be wearing the belt right now. She’s talented, she has great mic skills and she has a world of charisma.
When she cuts a promo, fans listen and they feel it. She’s able to make that connection, and she’s able to get over despite who she’s working or what storyline she’s in. But her true adversary is Charlotte, and this feud is only just beginning.
They match up so well together, as they are complete opposites in nearly every way. Charlotte is the spoiled brat, while Sasha is the everywoman that worked her way up. Charlotte’s ego runs her career, while Sasha’s swagger is a reflection of her confidence.
They are indeed polar opposites, but they’re pitch perfect together.
This is a feud that should continue for years. The title will be traded multiple times between them, and their story will be told by future generations of female Superstars in WWE. No one will ever forget Ric versus Dusty, and no one will ever forget Charlotte versus Sasha.
#3 Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
The upcoming match between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at Battleground is being hailed as perhaps the last in their ongoing rivalry. It’s a feud that dates back to their days together in Ring of Honor, and it’s continued through NXT, on to WWE’s main roster.
But to imagine that this will truly be the end seems highly unlikely. The brand split could see the two separated for the first time since Owens left NXT, but that separation will probably not last forever. Eventually, the two men will cross paths again and when they do, chaos will ensue.
It’s just such a natural rivalry, mostly because the two are so similar. Both are hard working Superstars in the ring, and both have blue collar personalities. Fans get no frills and very little flash with Sami and KO, only solid pro wrestling and compelling storytelling.
The fact that they’re best friends behind the scenes only helps their rivalry. They’re so comfortable in the ring together, and they have full trust in each other as well. But Sami and Kevin are also very competitive, which only heightens the intensity in their matches.
This is one of those rivalries that get over because of the effort both men contribute. When fans see Owens and Zayn throw punches, it’s obvious that they’re giving everything they have.
It may be a work, but they carry themselves like it’s a shoot, and that’s why fans love it so much. This feud may take a break, but it will likely never truly end.
#2 Shane vs. Stephanie
The McMahon family saga has played out for years in WWE. It’s a never ending drama that is constantly full of twists and turns, and it is likely here to stay despite how many fans either love or hate it. The company revolves around it, and that is especially true now.
Once again, Vince is pitting his children against each other in the usual Greek tragedy, and this time, his games will play out as the power struggle between Raw and SmackDown. With Stephanie on Monday nights and Shane on Tuesday nights, it’s the typical family feud that will dominate WWE programming for the foreseeable future.
This is what fans can expect from WWE moving forward, as Shane is indeed back and settled into his role as the good McMahon once again. It’s not a bad move, though it’s one the WWE faithful have witnessed before; only this time the New Era is in play.
The future is at stake this time, so there can be no room for error. WWE is certainly aware of this, and despite that fact that Shane versus Stephanie is a storyline; the two will surely bring their competitive natures to this friendly fight.
At some point, Vince will indeed step back. While Triple H could become the on-air corporate heel to replace his father-in-law, it’s Shane and Stephanie that will ultimately be the voices of authority on WWE TV.
It’s a formula that’s worked before, and hopefully it will work again.
#1 Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
From the moment The Shield first debuted on WWE’s main roster, the wrestling world knew that something special was happening. The company had been down this road before with The Nexus and other factions, but this was the first time that the commitment truly seemed to be there. The effort from the men involved was definitely there as well.
Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns just wanted it more than anyone else did. They were given a very unique opportunity in the biggest pro wrestling company of all time, and they capitalized on it. Whether fans loved or hated them during their run, no one could deny that this was an experiment that had worked to an amazing degree of success.
This is the rivalry that will always exist in WWE. The three men are forever linked because of their past, and they will always impress because of their desire to be the best. Despite any hate or controversy surrounding Roman, there is no doubt that he is in this for the long haul, as are Rollins and Ambrose.
The 1980’s had Hulk Hogan versus Roddy Piper. The 90’s had Shawn Michaels versus Bret Hart. The 2000’s had Stone Cold versus The Rock. Now it’s Rollins, Ambrose and Reigns versus each other.
This is the feud that will define this generation of talent, and indeed the very future of the New Era.
Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Sportskeeda. His podcast, Tom Clark’s Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here
