The WWF New Generation Series: The Best Feuds Of The Era
By MH/True
As our New Generation series continues on, we look back at some of the better feuds that took place during the era. There were many feuds that galvanized audiences during the era, but only a select few could make the cut. Which feuds were the best of the best of the New Generation era? Let's find out.
Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart
A rivalry that always seemed like a good go to for the company. With their first major match taking place at Survivor Series 1992, the two legends would embark on separate paths that eventually led them to Wrestlemania 12’s main event. Following that classic moment, their feud stayed consistent until Bret left the company shortly after the Attitude Era seeds had been planted. Their most infamous match at Survivor Series 1997 is a match that I’d like to consider as the official opening of the Attitude Era, and is truly the most controversial match in the WWF during the 90’s, if not ever.
Bret Hart vs Jerry Lawler
I never found this rivalry to be that engaging, but it felt real between the two men. It seemed neither Lawler or Bret really liked each other, and when Lawler was on commentary, he never missed a chance to take a shot at Bret. This feud continued off and on for a majority of the era, but the 1993 and 1995 were the premiere years of the feud. Bret usually got the best of Lawler during their feud, but Lawler always made sure to get the best of Bret when it came to quips and promos. Still, the Kiss My Foot match is the dumbest stipulation ever, but the feud itself is one of the most prominent.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Bret Hart
This was at the tail end of the era, as the Attitude Era had begun forming in pieces, but this feud was one of the best of its time, and honestly one of the best feuds in WWF history. Starting with Survivor Series 1996, this feud turned the WWF around in many ways. The Survivor Series was an epic wrestling match, ending with Bret getting the win barely, but for the next 5 months, Austin and Bret would be engaged in a back and forth battle to outdo the other. This would culminate in an epic Wrestlemania 13 contest that saw Austin be immortalized as a result. The feud continued on essentially until Bret left for WCW, but the height of the feud was from October 1996-June 1997.
Yokozuna vs The Undertaker
When Yokozuna became the WWF Champion, it was only a matter of time before he had to face the Deadman. Taker had not had a WWF Title feud since losing to Hulk Hogan in 1991, but as 1994 began, Taker found himself chasing Yokozuna for the belt. Yoko would be victorious, burying Taker at the Royal Rumble. Taker would eventually make his return after some months away, and get his revenge against Yokozuna in the main event of Survivor Series 1994 in a casket match that pretty much ended the feud. This feud was a bit shorter than others, but it was highly entertaining.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Savio Vega
The Austin and Savio feud helped birth the Stone Cold character, as the Ringmaster gimmick just didn't work the way it should. Ted Dibiase was in Austin's corner for the feud, but over the months these two went at it, things would become clearer. Austin no longer needed Dibiase. After Austin got a win over Savio at Wrestlemania 12, the two men would do battle off air at the taping of the next In Your House PPV, where Savio picked up the victory. This feud and Dibiase's WWF run ended at In Your House: Beware of Dog in a Caribbean Strap Match that saw Savio victorious, winning the feud. Austin would end up going on to bigger and better things, but this feud was the small catapult before the next level.
Shawn Michaels vs Sycho Sid
Discussed in a separate post on its own, this feud helped catapult Sid in the WWF, and led to him being a two time champion in the company. Sid and Shawn would feud from 1995 to the early part of 1997 after Sid turned his back on Shawn. The two men would do battle at various time in 1995, but it wasn't until 1996 that we saw the feud really hit its peak. Sid and Shawn would headline two of the biggest PPVs of the era, Survivor Series 1996 and Royal Rumble 1997. Sid won at Survivor Series, and HBK won at the Rumble in his hometown.
Diesel vs Shawn Michaels
Two friends. Diesel started as Shawn's bodyguard, then they eventually broke up leading to a feud at Wrestlemania 11. Diesel and Shawn would have the best match on the card, stealing the show with a bout that probably should have closed the show. They would reunite shortly after, before Diesel eventually turned heel, and turned on Shawn, leading to their insane encounter at In Your House: Good Friends, Better Enemies. Shawn would emerge victorious in that match, and Diesel would soon depart the company, but this feud was one of the strongest of the era, and these two had great chemistry in the ring.
Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels
Two of the best matches of the era stems from this feud. Wrestlemania 10. Summerslam 1995. The chemistry that Razor and Shawn had was top notch, and they made the Intercontinental Title feel just as important during their feud. Having the best match on the card the two times they faced off on the PPV, Razor and Shawn likely could have battled against each other even more than they did. If Razor never left the WWF, I often wonder if he would have been primed for a WWF Title shot against Shawn shortly after the Diesel feud. I guess we'll never know, but a Shawn vs Razor Summer 1996 WWF Title feud with Razor as the heel would have been money. Still, these two are responsible for many of great moments during the era, two of which came from their battles.
Bret Hart vs Owen Hart
This is the greatest feud of the entire era. The only feud that I think comes close overall is Bret vs Austin, but the family element of this feud takes it up a notch. Owen, the little brother that was tired of being second fiddle, had enough and turned on big brother Bret. This feud dominated WWF TV in 1994, making Owen a legit main event level talent during it, starting off with his shocking win over Bret in the Wrestlemania 10 opener, which is arguably the greatest match of the era. Their feud would continue during the summer of 1994, with the British Bulldog and Jim Neidhart eventually getting involved, culminating in the greatest steel cage match in WWF history at Summerslam. While Bret was victorious at Summerslam, the two brothers remained at odds feuding for the following year or two in small spurts, as Owen remained a heel. The two eventually reunited in 1997 for the Hart Foundation faction, but their feud is the first thing that's always come to mind when speaking of the New Generation era. It solidified Bret as the face of the company, and made Owen into a main event level heel.
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-MH/True
