10 best rivalries from the WWE Attitude era

It’s tough to argue that there was a better time in wrestling than the Attitude Era. Headshots from steel chairs came by the dozen, the Hardcore title switched about four times per Raw episode and programming even included Bra and Panties matches. But what really made the Attitude Era so great were the storylines and the talent. From Wrestlemania XIII to Wrestlemania XVII, the WWE roster was so loaded at the top that some of the most famous rivalries in WWE history defined the era. So sit back, crack open a “Steve”-weiser and enjoy a trip down memory lane as we count down the top 10 rivalries of the WWE Attitude Era. (Note: I’m defining the Attitude Era as March, 1998 – March 2001).

10. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit

Remember when the intercontinental championship actually mattered? During the Attitude Era, it represented a legitimate second tier title, and usually acted as a stepping stone to the WWE championship. Though Y2J, the Rabid Wolverine and the Olympic Hero (or as Jericho called him ‘Kirk Angel’) all went on to win the WWE title, they will best be remembered for their Intercontinental battles during the early months of 2000. All three of these guys were extremely sound technical wrestlers and all had some of the most recognizable submissions moves. In fact, my back still spasms when I hear the words “Walls of Jericho.”

9. Stone Cold vs. D-Generation X

Many people credit the antics of D-Generation X and the beer guzzling of Stone Cold Steve Austin for the beginning of the Attitude Era. And what happens when you pit them against each other and add the “Baddest Man on the Planet” Mike Tyson? One of the best lead ups to a Wrestlemania ever. And though the Austin/DX rivalry could have potentially dominated the next year or so, two Shawn Michaels herniated disks abruptly halted the rivalry after Wrestlemania XIII 

8.  Chris Jericho vs. Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley

The Y2J/Billionaire Princess rivalry might be one of the most underrated in the WWE Attitude Era. And while they never actually got in the ring together one on one, Jericho never hesitated to cut a promo poking fun of Stephanie and her “enhanced” features. In fact, Jericho’s mockery of Stephanie got him a title shot with Triple H in an April edition of RAW which he won, but was controversially reversed due to a quick referee three count. Nevertheless, Jericho jokes like these about Stephanie will always have a special place in our hearts.

7. Undertaker vs. Kane

What’s better than having a 7-foot, 300-pound phenom destroying everything in his pathway in the WWE? Adding his fire-stained brother from Hell and pitting them against each other. In the current WWE, gimmick superstars don’t usually rise to the top. But the Brothers of Destruction rivalry captivated the WWE universe when Paul Bearer brought Kane into the WWE. And as outlandish as the premise of their backstory was, everyone with a brother or sister could relate to good old sibling rivalry. From Casket matches to Inferno matches, no other rivalry from the WWE will forever haunt our nightmares quite like the Undertaker/Kane one.

6. Edge/Christian vs. Hardy Boyz vs. Dudley Boyz

If you rewatch Pay-Per-Views and Raw/Smackdown episodes from the Attitude Era, you will notice that tag team matches dominated the undercard. Much like the Intercontinental Title, tag teams storylines and the Tag Team titles actually mattered. And while there were many other memorable tag teams (Acolytes, Too Cool, New Age Outlaws), the Hardys, Dudleys, and Edge/Christian absolutely dominated the era. These six men took risks that nobody had ever even imagined before the Attitude Era. The Hardy Boys revolutionized ladder use in matches. Edge and Christian performed “con-chair-tos” that would make Roger Goddell wet his pants. And the Dudleys put every superstar on the WWE roster through a table (even her). As for their actual rivalry? Let’s just say that their TLC matches didn’t stand for “tender loving care.”

5. Triple H vs. Mick Foley

Some superstars go out of their way to destroy others. Then, there’s Triple H. Leading up to Wrestlemania 2000, Triple H and the McMahon-Helmsley faction made it their purpose to make Mick Foley’s life as miserable as possible. It came to a point Triple H became so ruthless, Foley had to change his persona from “Have a Nice Day” Mankind to “BANG BANG” Cactus Jack. And even though Triple H beat Foley in a street fight, a Hell in a Cell and aWrestlemania Main Event, Triple H probably still has both emotional and physical scars from fueding with arguably the most hardcore wrestlers of all time.

4. The Rock vs. Mankind

Even though these two combined to make one of the amicable tag teams of all time, there was definitely no love lost between Rock ‘n sock connection during their history. Beginning with Vince McMahon screwing Mankind at the King of the Ring, the rivalry peaked on January 4th, 1999 when Mankind defeated the Rock for the WWE title on Raw. The title change also marked the moment where the WWE took over in ratings during the Monday Night Wars against WCW. And considering these guys destroyed each other in an “I Quit” Match, a Last Man standing match and a ladder match leading up toWrestlemania XV, it’s funny to think that these guys actually won the Tag Team Titles together just a few months later.

3. Stone Cold vs. The Rock

Austin versus Rock was the quintessential rivalry. Corporate Champion against Texas Rattlesnake, Hollywood versus Southern Redneck; you couldn’t ask for much more. But what really made the rivalry so great was that it pit two of the greatest superstars in the history of the WWE against each other during their peak. Their heated rivalry headlined Wrestlemania XV, when Austin defeated the Corporations poster boy for the WWE title and Wrestlemania XVII, where The Rock lost the title again. Nevertheless, even though Austin had the upper hand in Wrestlemanias, the Austin/Rock rivalry defined a significant part of the Attitude Era.

2. The Rock vs Triple H

As Stone Cold departed from the scene during the second half of the Attitude Era, the Rock/Triple H began to dominate. After Survivor Series in 1999, The Rock and Triple H headlined many of the Pay-Per-View events as the Brahma Bull dedicated his life to regaining the WWE Title from Triple H. And during the process, he relished the opportunity to crown himself the People’s Champion and cut the greatest microphone promos of all time. Lucky for the Game and his WWE title, he had the entire McMahon family in his corner for most of the rivalry. It wasn’t until after Wrestlemania 2000 when The Rock finally won the title in dramatic fashion at Backlash. From there, the two battled in a one hour Iron Man match, won by Triple H and concluded their clash at King of the Ring where the Rock took back the title. And though the Rock/Triple H rivalry was one of the final rivalries of the Attitude Era, it provided us with some of the most heated and dramatic matches of all time.

1. Stone Cold vs. Vince McMahon

Just like you can’t mention the NBA in the ’80s without Magic/Bird, there is no Attitude Era without Stone Cold and Vince McMahon. McMahon made it his purpose in the WWE to prevent Austin from winning the title, while Austin made it his goal to make McMahon’s life a living hell. Even beyond the felt, the Rivalry was entertaining. Who can forget when Austin drove in a beer truck and doused McMahon and his stooges? And everytime Austin got his hands on McMahon, it put a smile on the face of every single person who hated their boss. Their rivalry defined the era and made the WWE significant on the pop culture map.