Node WWEa good barometer for a rivalry can be calculated by how many matches the rivalry is made up of. Sometimes a good rivalry can be short and sweet over one, maybe two matches, but sometimes, This will generate a trilogy of matchessuggesting there's something compelling about the story and chemistry of two (or more) stars to connect with audiences over multiple months and multiple shows.
For example, for WCW, it is said that a trilogy (even though in reality they have fought hundreds of times) like Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. Ric Flair changed the foundation of professional wrestling, changing both men's careers for the better. In the history of WWE, it has happened many times that fans were treated to a sequence of three matches that secured a place in wrestling history. They may not necessarily have the best in-ring action, but for the stories they told and the emotions they stirred, these wrestling trilogies will stand the test of time.
10
Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes
Reaction 2023; Night of Champions 2023; SummerSlam 2023
This is a trilogy that feels more significant in retrospect than it did at the time when it was seen as another means of solidifying Cody Rhodes' main event momentum while maintaining his momentum heading into his WrestleMania 40 rematch with Roman Reigns. In retrospect, This trilogy is Brock Lesnar's unexpected swan songGiven the way his name is involved in Vince McMahon's allegations, this could be the last time anyone sees Brock Lesnar in a WWE ring.
In this case, it's unexpectedly appropriate to see him fall on his sword, passing the torch to Cody Rhodes with a show of respect. It was made even better knowing that the post-fight hand raise was improvised, meaning Rhodes rightfully earned the UFC fighter's respect. The story was simple and suited both men's strengths perfectly. Rhodes was the underdog fighting from the bottom, Lesnar the unstoppable monster. It is the basis of the businessbut it works, and along with their unexpected chemistry, it paved the way for Rhodes to become the face of the company.
9
AJ Styles vs.
Money in the Bank 2016; SummerSlam 2016; Battle Royal 2017
AJ Styles' introduction to WWE began with a feud with Chris Jericho heading into WrestleMania, followed by back-to-back title matches against Roman Reigns. However, his back-to-back wins against John Cena solidified him as a main event mainstay. Sure enough, at the next pay-per-view after the SummersSlam match, AJ Styles would defeat Dean Ambrose at Backlash 2016 to win his first WWE Championship.
The trilogy becomes even more important at its conclusion, where Cena not only takes revenge on AJ, but also becomes 16-time world champion in the process, tying Ric Flair's recordmaking a historic moment. These matches also proved that the "you can't fight" chants directed at Cena for most of his career were silly because he was always able to deliver and put in a stellar performance when paired with a great worker like Styles.
8
Kevin Owens x John Cena
Elimination Chamber 2015; Money in the Bank 2015; Battlefield 2015
Whenever there is a call up for the NXT main roster, there are usually high expectations from fans about how the WWE Superstar will be propelled in his rise. Many of these expectations began with this feud, as Kevin Owens was drafted with a rocket strapped to his back. His first appearance on the main roster was as NXT Champion, confronting and defeating John Cena before defeating him at Elimination Chamber. Cena would win their subsequent rematches, but every match was a contender for Match of the Year.
This trilogy of matches holds great significance for WWE's recent history, as it set the standard for how an NXT competitor should transition to the main roster while also immediately being knocked out as a main eventer. Once again, Cena proved he's at his best when paired with something with an entirely different style, and no one was better in that role than a young, intense, off-kilter knockout punch.
7
Sami Zayn x Cesaro
NXT May 23, 2013; NXT July 11, 2013 (2 of 3 Falls Match); Arrival of NXT
Speaking of NXT, Sami Zayn would spend his first night in NXT picking up a surprise victory over Antonio Cesaro, who was taking a break from the main roster following his record-breaking United States Championship run. What followed was a trilogy of matches that would be key to putting NXT on the map. Each match proved better than the last, with Match 2 of 3 Falls establishing that NXT was capable of putting on quality matches that could feel just as special as the main roster matches.
Then finally came the most important match of the trilogy on NXT Arrival. The arrival of NXT was not just NXT's first live eventbut three days after the Network's launch, the first live event (not pay-per-view, that honor goes to WrestleMania XXX) to air on the WWE Network. With Cesaro vs. Zayn III opening the show, that makes them the first match to air on the Network. A lot of pressure fell on them as they set the tone for the type of content that would air on WWE's exclusive streaming service, but an instant classic was released. When the final bell sounded, it was clear that NXT was as unmissable as Raw or SmackDown.
6
Cody Rhodes x Seth Rollins
WrestleMania38; WrestleMania 2022 Reaction; Hell in a Cell 2021
In 2022, Cody Rhodes was not only entering WWE as a returning Superstar, but as the first major AEW wrestler to jump ship of WWE's main competitor. There was concern from fans about whether WWE would treat Rhodes with the same main event seriousness that All Elite Wrestling did, but all of those concerns disappeared when he was immediately thrown into a feud with one of the company's biggest stars.
It helped that these men had three incredible matches, but Cody won every match. The look of American Nightmare taking off his coat to reveal the signs of a torn pectoral muscle before fighting at Hell in a Cell is credited with being one of the elements that catapulted Rhodes into becoming the face of the company.
5
Stone Cold x Bret “The Hitman” Hart
Survivor Series 1996; WrestleMania 13; In your home: the borrower's revenge
Everyone will identify the infamous Austin 3:16 promo as the moment that launched Stone Cold Steve Austin to stardom, but If anything really kicked off the Austin era, it was his feud with Bret Hart. The five-time WWE Champion carried the legitimacy to give the young newcomer “the trouble,” as it is called in the industry. Trouble doesn't always have to result in victory, as Bret has beaten Austin twice, with Austin picking up an indecisive victory via DQ in their oft-forgotten Revenge of the Taker match. Austin, however, proved he could hang with the best stars in the cast, looking like a star himself.
They say wrestling is about moments, and one fight in this trilogy is proof of that. Austin passing out to the Sharpshooter while his face is a mask of blood (and getting "color" was a decision made on the spot by Hart against Vince's orders) is THE moment that lit the fire that created the persona of Stone Cold, and by extension the most electrifying era in the company's history.
4
Roman Reigns vs.
WrestleMania 31; WrestleMania34; Wrestlemania 38
It would be an understatement to say that these matches were not positively received in front of live crowds, but then again, these trilogies are ranked and emphasized more by importance than quality. With these three matches being the only time the same singles match has main evented three WrestleManias, it is already historically significant in that right. In addition, however, these three matches are essential to forming the basis of Roman Reigns' Tribal Chief character.
In kayfabe, Roman failed to beat The Beast Incarnate twice and left a mark on his psyche. His walk of shame up the ramp to close out WrestleMania 34 reflects this, prompting a character change and victory at WrestleMania 38. Without the losses he suffered to Brock in subsequent WrestleManias, Bloodline's storyline as a whole or its Tribal Chief could ever materialized. Considering the heights to which the Lineage has elevated WWE, this trilogy cannot be ignored.
3
Edge and Christian x Hardy Boyz x Dudley Boyz
WrestleMania 2000; SummerSlam 2000; WrestleMania X-Seven
As much as WWE's Attitude Era was dominated by The Rocks and Triple Hs of the time, it was the tag team division that kept many fans coming back. The centerpieces of the division at the time were the Hardy Boyz, the Dudley Boyz and the team of Edge and Christian, all trading the Tag Team Championship between each other. The trio of tag team specialists have had countless tag matches against each other, but it's the trifecta of three-way ladder matches that is most important.
Their names were put on the map with the Triangle Ladder Match at WrestleMania 2000. A few months later, utilizing the Hardys' love of ladders, E&C's penchant for chairs, and the Dudleys' addiction to tables, all of these elements would create a new match type: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, TLC. The TLC concept was so well received that they would do it all over again at WrestleMania X-Seven for TLC II. This trilogy of matches would not only prove hugely influential for future generations of tag teams, but it also shaped the perception of the Attitude Era and created an entirely new type of wrestling. It's hard to overcome.
2
Batista x Triple H
WrestleMania 21; Reaction 2005; Revenge 2005
The formula for this rivalry formed the basis of another trilogy on this list, Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes. Just like in that trilogy, this rivalry saw the babyface defeat the heel decisively on three consecutive occasions. Some will say it's not fun to see a one-sided rivalry, but it works so the winner is a megastar.. In Batista's case, he was touted as the company's next big star, but as was the case with many before him, he had to prove it not only to the company, but also to the public.
Who better to build a massive babyface than a man who was, at the time, considered a “Reign of Terror,” firmly maintaining control of the main event scene? Then-10-time world champion Triple H seemed unstoppable, until his former protégé did the unthinkable three times. Again, they weren't the most exciting matches in terms of work rate, but they marked an important transition into the Ruthless Aggression era and built the career of a huge star.
1
Rock vs. Rock WrestleMania Trilogy
WrestleMania XV; WrestleMania X-Seven; WrestleMania XIX
The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin fought each other countless times during the Attitude Era, but it's their WrestleMania matches that
cemented their legacies. The general rivalry helped define the Attitude Era as it wasand when they had their finale at WrestleMania XIX, many saw it as the end of an era.
Truth be told, when you bring together two entertainment giants like The Rock and Austin were during the Attitude Era, it's hard to go wrong. However, this Mania trilogy did much more than that and remains ingrained in fans' minds as the culmination of an era that is still considered the best in professional wrestling history. It's hard to choose one WWE trilogy that is as essential as The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin.