The 1990s were a turbulent time in professional wrestling, marked by intense behind-the-scenes drama as the wrestling industry experienced significant upheaval. WWE and WCW were fiercely competitive, vying for supremacy amid a politically charged environment that often bred animosity among wrestlers. Many performers had genuine personal conflicts that spilled over from scripted rivalries, with some grudges lasting well beyond their active careers.
One of the most famous feuds during this era was between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart in WWE, where their rivalry culminated in the infamous Montreal Screwjob. Although they hated each other for years, they made peace and rekindled their friendship in 2010. In contrast, WCW’s Eric Bischoff and Ric Flair had a contentious relationship starting in the late 1990s, with Bischoff threatening to damage Flair’s career before their feud became a storyline. Despite attempts at reconciliation, Flair still harbors resentment.
Chris Jericho initially struggled with Triple H in WWE, feeling bullied by him. However, they later patched things up and became friends, openly discussing past issues in interviews. Shane Douglas and Ric Flair, on the other hand, remain at odds, with ongoing disdain following Douglas’s criticisms and poor cooperation during their time in WCW and ECW.
Steve Austin refused to work with Jeff Jarrett due to behind-the-scenes animosity, but they eventually resolved their differences, even collaborating on Austin’s podcast in later years. Bret Hart and Ric Flair once had a strange rivalry fueled by mutual disrespect, yet have grown into a respectful friendship over time. Meanwhile, Jim Cornette and Vince Russo’s feud remains bitter, with no signs of reconciliation, aggravated by their forced collaboration in TNA.
In WWE, Ron Simmons and Ahmed Johnson’s rivalry included public insults but ended with them making peace by 2025. Similarly, The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, once bitter enemies with threats exchanged, forged one of wrestling’s strongest friendships after Michaels’ return in 2002. However, Bret Hart’s dislike for Hulk Hogan endures, mainly due to Hogan’s refusal to drop the WWE Championship and alleged negative influence in WCW.
Fan Take: This glimpse into the real-life rivalries behind wrestling storylines reveals the intense passion and personal stakes involved in the sport, which greatly shapes its history and culture. For WWE fans, understanding these conflicts adds a deeper appreciation of the wrestlers’ journeys and hints at how personal dynamics can influence the future of wrestling entertainment.
