WWE/WCW: My Favorite Wrestling Feuds of the Past 20 Years (1991-2011)

There sure have been some real great ones. Sting and Ric Flair. Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Even two guys named The Rock and Steve Austin.

Yes, wrestling has been blessed to have had some of the greatest feuds in the business over the last 20 years. And there have been more in other promotions, but for the sake of space and research, we will stick to the big guns in the sport over the last two decades.

I realize there are more and maybe some of your favorites will be left out, but also let me know what makes your favorite feud of the past twenty years.

Feuds lead to memories and memories lead to legend. Most the feuds are just that—legendary.

Lita vs. Trish Stratus

When you have two hot women in the wrestling ring who know how to actually wrestle and it develops into something special, then you truly have something.

Trish and Lita define women's wrestling during this era. While others (Chyna, Gail Kim, Mickie James, Medusa, etc.) have been a part of the evolution of the women's division and in other organizations, these two women brought both men and women to the television set to watch wrestlers besides men get in the ring.

The balance of power and the struggle between them was also felt through storylines that went beyond the wrestling ring and looked at relationships, controversy and of course, dealing with the boss.

It made for great drama.

Ric Flair vs. Sting

It started in 1988 and was the premiere rivalry in WCW during its existence.

Steve Borden would not have become what he was and be in the business if it weren't for Flair taking him aside and helping him become a wrestler, an entertainer and someone who could draw money.

Sting had the size of a big man and the agility of someone much smaller, and when he got in the ring with Flair night after night, all they did was create magic.

Sting vs. Hulk Hogan

The best part of this was really the fact that for most of 1997, Sting did not wrestle and the mystique of his dark side and intimidation through his persona really played out.

And when he finally appeared, both he, Hogan and the NWO really brought the roof down.

The Sting vs. Hogan angle in TNA does not work because Hogan is not in the ring and Sting has changed his look.

Plus many fans today did not see the two wrestlers in the 1990s.

Kane vs. the Undertaker

There are so many parts to this feud, which also involves Paul Bearer.

The man known as Kane debuted in 1997 at "Bad Blood" during the match with Taker and Shawn Michaels. Since then, he has been a staple of destruction as both a face and a heel.

The great mystique between the two is still played out today and the fact they can be friends or foes makes the feud that much better for the fans.

Both are nursing injuries right now so we will see if it resumes when they both come back to the WWE.

Mankind vs. the Rock

An odd paring became a pretty good feud.

The Rock and Mankind (Mick Foley) wrestled for the WWE title which included an empty arena, Falls Count Anywhere Match during the middle of the Super Bowl.

Both men in their own right were great world champions. The two also formed a tag team called the "Rock and Sock" connection.

Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels

I like this feud for a number of reasons.

First, listening to the two of them talk back and forth was harmony with a microphone.

Second, you could see a lot of the younger Michaels in Jericho in the comments and taunting that went on in their segments.

Third, the wrestling was first rate and was as good if not better then 90 percent of the feuds you were used to seeing on the screen and in the arena.

And finally, it gave us a chance to see just how brilliant two characters can be when the wrestling does not look like work. It was Flair/Steamboat all over again.

The Dudleys vs. Edge/Christian vs. the Hardys

I am not a big fan of the extreme wrestling you see on television or the constant use of chairs, tables, etc.

But then you have a feud like this that just makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up straight.

While the Dudleys, Edge and Christian and The Hardys are not as refined as wrestling tag teams of the past  (the Briscos, The Andersons, The Rock & Roll Express), they made a name for themselves as great units and daring athletes.

When tables, ladders and chairs are used in a match, these three teams are the best—hands and feet down.

The Rock vs. Steve Austin

No feuds defined the "Attitude Era" like these two superstars.

The Rock had the look, the microphone skills and the ability to bring the crowd to another level.

Austin was the antihero, the hated the boss and loved to bring the crowd to a fever pitch.

Both pushed each other like no other opponents. And in the ring, they were two competitors dancing instead of fighting.

WWE vs. WCW

It is what wrestling was all about. Head to head, creative  vs. creative and comparisons of who really is the best.

Eric Bischoff kicked Vince's ass for more than a year and then Vince won the war by buying WCW.

It was great theater. It was better than any soap opera.

And it was something that mainstream people who may not have had an interest in the business stood up and took notice.

And from that, I have really loved the inner working of how this business is run.

Ric Flair vs. Eric Bischoff

When this started and it looked like it was part of the WCW collapse (which is was), I thought it was all a pile of BS. But in reality, it may have really told the true story of how a boss and an employee can really hate each other.

What was best about it was how it was played out on television (Flair's family being used as part of the angle).

It was brilliant and sad all in one scope.

Flair wanted to be treated fairly and Bischoff wanted to show he had the biggest stones in wrestling.

In the end, they both won and lost.