8 Best Storylines in WWE History [Ranked]

Storytelling is likely one of the important hallmarks of the world {of professional} wrestling, and no different firm is greater within the business than the WWE. It’s the top-of-mind model that individuals, even non-fans, consider when wrestling is introduced up.

The WWE has turn out to be a world powerhouse from the ground-up. With artistic minds like Vince McMahon and now, Paul ” Triple H” Levesque operating the present, the WWE has offered them with numerous memorable storylines which have made superstars into legends and larger-than-life characters who’ve left lasting legacies. From high-drama narratives to underdog tales and intense rivalries and sagas — WWE’s historical past is stuffed with a gold mine of timeless tales. With that stated, let’s dive into the historical past books and look again on the eight storylines that showcased the WWE at its finest, merging sports activities leisure with highly effective storytelling that retains followers hooked.

8 Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker – Profession vs. Streak

A profession on the road

Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker put collectively one of many biggest matches in WWE historical past with their traditional showdown at WrestleMania 25, which additionally birthed among the best storylines. After almost breaking The Deadman’s legendary undefeated streak at WrestleMania, Michaels finally grew to become obsessive about getting a rematch. He challenged Taker to a different go-round. However realizing he had nothing to show, The Undertaker straight up denied Michaels the go-round.

The Heartbreak Child did all that he might to as soon as once more get his palms on The Phenom. He tried to win the Royal Rumble to get a shot at The Undertaker, who was World Heavyweight Champion on the time. However he fell quick. Along with his choices and time operating out, he value The Undertaker his title on the Elimination Chamber. This lastly acquired the eye of The Undertaker, who then agreed to the match. Nevertheless, he had one situation: Shawn Michaels needed to put his profession on the road. Shawn’s reply?

And it was set: “Profession vs. Streak” at WrestleMania 26. The Undertaker in the end received the emotion-filled match and prolonged his streak to 18-0. In the meantime, this marked the final dance for Shawn Michaels, who left a legacy as one of many all-time nice performers.

7 The Man’s Meteoric Ascension

Becky Lynch drew natural help

No one was extra over from 2018 to 2019 than Becky Lynch. She had an natural rise in reputation as followers clamored to see her rise to the highest. Lynch carried out a heel flip when she attacked her buddy Charlotte Aptitude after dropping in a title match at SummerSlam 2018. However regardless of this, she was cheered greater than ever.

Followers cherished her unapologetic and rebellious perspective. She began calling herself “The Man,” claiming that she was one of the best factor going within the WWE — and he or she was. Her already rising reputation went via the roof throughout an episode of Uncooked, the place a bloodied Lynch, due to a giant hit from Nia Jax, stood defiantly with a crimson masks to shut the present. Alongside Charlotte Aptitude and Ronda Rousey, who have been each the champions on the time, Becky made historical past by headlining WrestleMania 35. And she or he received the winner-take-all match, finishing her meteoric ascension to the highest of WWE.

6 The Brothers of Destruction – Kane’s Debut

Created essentially the most iconic sibling story in skilled wresting

The story of Kane and The Undertaker is likely one of the most well-known tales in WWE historical past. With the supernatural mystique of the 2 characters, the corporate tapped into its artistic chamber to inform the story of the 2 brothers.

The Undertaker was one of the feared superstars within the WWE as a result of his darkish and undead persona. However since his debut, there had been no background on his story. That’s till Paul Bearer launched his estranged half-brother Kane. In 1997, the supervisor revealed {that a} younger Undertaker unintentionally set his household’s funeral residence on fireplace throughout their youth. The Deadman supposedly killed his mother and father and his brother because of the accident. Nevertheless, Kane apparently survived and has been residing with the emotional and bodily harm ever since — and he needed revenge.

Kane made his explosive debut in 1997 throughout the first-ever Hell in a Cell match between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. Because the lights dimmed, Kane entered, ripped the cell door off its hinges and delivered a devastating Tombstone Piledriver to his older half-sibling. This second set off a fierce sibling rivalry stuffed with intense matches and even alliances as The Brothers of Destruction.

5 The Mega Powers Explode

A traditional story of affection and jealousy that includes two megastars

One of many extra compelling WWE tales that outlined the Eighties was that of the “Mega Powers,” which was a legendary alliance between “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. Their partnership began after Hogan saved Savage from an assault by The Honky Tonk Man and the Hart Basis. As soon as rivals, the 2 megastars fashioned a preferred tandem that captivated followers, with Miss Elizabeth, Savage’s supervisor, including a wrinkle to the dynamic — and it will definitely did.

Finally, tensions simmered when Savage began speculating that Hogan was lusting for Elizabeth. Savage finally reached his boiling level and attacked Hogan in a backstage section to show heel.

This led to an enormous collision course between the Mega Powers at WrestleMania V in 1989, the place Hogan dethroned Savage for the WWE Championship. This was a traditional story that harped on the themes of friendship, love, jealousy, and finally, betrayal.

4 Cody Rhodes Finishes the Story

From undesirable to plain to undisputed

Cody Rhodes had only one need when he made his triumphant WWE return in 2022: win the championship that his late father Dusty Rhodes by no means received. The highway to the highest, nevertheless, was going to be a protracted journey for the American Nightmare. He confronted a number of hurdles alongside the best way.

Cody suffered a torn pec that sidelined him for eight months. He received the 2023 Royal Rumble and acquired his first crack at ending the story. Nevertheless, he fell to Roman Reigns in the principle occasion of WrestleMania 39. After a sizzling 12 months, Cody as soon as once more received the Royal Rumble in 2024. Nevertheless, it appeared like he wouldn’t get one other crack at Roman Reigns as a result of The Rock additionally had his sights set on The Tribal Chief.

However the followers didn’t need to see Rock vs. Roman in 2024. They needed to see Cody end his story. The American Nightmare acquired his match. However The Rock, who had embraced as heel persona as The Last Boss, made certain that Cody’s highway to the principle occasion was hell. Nonetheless, regardless of all the chances stacked in opposition to him, Cody overcame each kitchen sink thrown at him by The Bloodline. When the mud cleared, Cody Rhodes stood tall, lastly, because the WWE Undisputed Champion.

3 Sure Motion – Daniel Bryan’s Unbelievable Ascension

Bryan was the final word underdog

The WWE followers love their underdogs — and there was no higher underdog story than Daniel Bryan’s. Bryan was a fan favourite of the WWE Universe in 2013, they usually needed nothing greater than seeing him rise to the highest. Nevertheless, the corporate didn’t share the identical sentiments. They solely noticed Bryan as a B+ participant. To additional drive residence their level, they didn’t even make Bryan compete within the Royal Rumble, which enraged followers. That’s when the WWE Universe took issues into their very own palms. Followers flooded arenas with Bryan’s signature “Sure” chants and therefore, the “Sure Motion” was born.

However Bryan needed to undergo hell to get his spot in the principle occasion of WrestleMania, together with beating Triple H within the opening match. Bryan acquired via the primary hurdle by taking down The Recreation. He later outlasted Randy Orton and Batista by making the latter faucet out in the principle occasion to assert the WWE World Heavyweight Championship to finish one of the inconceivable underdog tales in WWE historical past.

2 The Bloodline Saga

What inning are we in now?

The Bloodline Saga has been the WWE’s important attraction because the pandemic and continues to be the corporate’s hottest storyline right now. The story revolves round Roman Reigns and the Anoa’i household, which primarily options The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and their youthful brother, Solo Sikoa. As a result of wealthy historical past and depth of the legendary Samoan dynasty, the WWE has been capable of unlock limitless layers throughout the story.

It started with Reigns anointing himself as the pinnacle of the household, embracing the “Tribal Chief” persona. As he stood atop because the dominant champion in WWE, he grew to become a tyrannical and manipulative chief who abused his energy and used controlling ways to keep up his standing because the “Head of the Desk.”

After Roman’s dominant run as champion ended at WrestleMania XL, Sikoa anointed himself as the brand new Tribal Chief, unlocking one other layer and including new characters (e.g. Jacob Fatu) within the story. With The Rock, The Last Boss, nonetheless lurking within the shadows, who is aware of simply how cinema this story might get.

1 Austin vs. McMahon Rivalry

The feud that raised hell

Nothing outlined the Angle Period greater than the Austin-McMahon rivalry. The feud embodied the rebellious spirit of the Angle Period. The storyline depicted Stone Chilly Steve Austin as the final word insurgent and anti-authority determine who typically caught it to the boss, Mr. McMahon. As a result of Austin consistently defied him, McMahon would actively discover methods to stack the chances in opposition to Stone Chilly and make sure the beer-drinking “Texas Rattlesnake” by no means grew to become the champion who represented his firm.

Austin, in the meantime, would make McMahon’s life a residing hell. Regardless of having few in-ring matches, their intense feud created a number of memorable moments, which included the traditional beer tub that Austin gave McMahon and The Company.

The heated rivalry via the late Nineteen Nineties raised WWE’s reputation to the best of highs, which in the end helped the corporate win the Monday Evening wars in opposition to WCW. It additionally cemented Stone Chilly Steve Austin as the highest star of the corporate — and arguably the best of all time— and created an iconic and devious villain in Mr. McMahon.