Favorite Long Term Feud/Storylines

[Clawley Race]

I've been watching 1998 on the Network, and got me to thinking about long term storys/feuds and slow builds. This can be one of the best things about pro wrestling and leads to the best payoffs (hopefully at WrestleMania)

Here are some of my favorites.

Mega Powers Explode: WM4-5 was an awesome calender year for wrestling. The rise of face Macho Man winning the world title. Him and Hogan wrecking all the bad guys over and over until Savage saw lust Hogan for what he truly is...it finishes off with one of my favorite Hogan matches. Special bonus for this story branching out to WM7...but Savage's whole 5 years of 88-92 was done brilliantly.

Stone Cold's chase: No, not the one that ended at WM14. I'm talking about the year of WM14-15. Starting the night after WM14, Vince tried as hard as he could to get that belt off Austin. Finally he got the belt off Austin, and he fought like hell to keep it away from Austin, while angling to get it on to someone he wanted. Survivor Series 1998 was booked VERY well to get/keep Austin/Mankind/Rock over. The next few months Austin tries as he might to just get a chance at the title again...finally winning the title back at WM15. It is really a 3 act saga.

Daniel Bryan's chase: Say what you want about the fact that WWE didn't want to do it...how sweet was WrestleMania? If it wasn't for the internet/dirtsheets, fans wouldn't know that it wasn't plan A. Re-watch that period of time with an open mind, or with a child. It ended up being story telling at its finest. Heck, even knowing the supposed goings on of the backstage area helps the story...a real life corporation trying to keep the belt of the people's wrestler.


What ones do you guys like?

[berlynwright]

Kane / Undertaker

[Deleted]

The NWO/Sting build-up to StarrCade '97 could be pretty magical at times. The anticipation was off the charts. It's too bad they botched that match so much, but God love it, it was WCW wasn't it?

Both main event build-ups for WM8 were phenomenal to me, and was the last time for the next several years that I was really invested in a WWE show. When Flair promised to display the centerfold of Liz, it actually created some doubt in my mind that she was solidly in Macho's corner. Hogan-Sid was on a whole different level. Sid was the first guy who I ever thought legitimately could beat Hogan and end Hulkamania. The time was just right for this feud. Hogan was starting to do more movies, so it kind of seemed like it might be time for him to ride off into the sunset. Then there was the fact that the crowd response for Hogan was not as strong as it had been, and in some cases Sid was even getting more cheers. Thirdly, not since Andre had Hogan faced anyone as big and menacing as Sid.

[auph10imitated]

Randy Savage and Elizabeth:
- Debuts her as his manager causes a stir
- Angle with George Steele when he develops an infatuation with her
- Babyface turn when Honky starts messing with her, leading to Honky angle and winning the title
- Year + long angle with Hogan love triangle resulting in them splitting
- Aquiring Sensational Sherri and having Liz opposing him
- Reuniting at WM which leads to proposal and the wedding
- The angle with Jake Roberts defending her honour with some sick segments
- Ric Flair messing in the relationship and again him defending her honour
- Her return in WCW that leads to her turning heel and stealing all his money
- Although it wasnt great WWF storytelling she realises she still loves him and defends him against nWo
- Both turn heel and have a little Bonnie and Clyde style heel gimmick which leads to a fued with DDP and Kimberly

A solid 12 year running angle.

[Ken: The Hero of WWE]

A long build up of the BDK angle in CHIKARA was pretty awesome. Also the formation of the NWO was incredible as well.

[sawcesome]

The ballad of El Generico and Kevin Steen.

[Sephiroth]

Just how long did the Mr McMahon vs Steve Austin feud last? Felt like at least three years.

[OldDirtyBernie]

Raven/Dreamer - Lasted nearly from Raven's debut until the end of ECW, I believe(besides some mentions since then in indies/TNA.) The feud over Beulah, to Dreamer not being able to get a win over Raven until '97. Then Raven coming back from WCW and partnering with Dreamer.

Raven/Punk - Not as long as some, but with Raven's past drug use being so public this feud was perfect for getting Punk and the straightedge part of his character over. Also, I feud that just couldn't lose, involving two of the best talkers in the business.

The formation of the nWo - This actually got me back into wrestling during my first lapsed period when I was younger. I was flipping through and saw them throwing sheets over the big WCW logo with the letters nWo and I had to see what it was about. For quite a while, the way this was presented was just amazing even if it did get them in some legal trouble.

[Instant Classic]

Triple H vs Shawn Mcihaels

[Deleted]

HBK/Undertaker: the Final Act. Made even better due to their past history that tied it all together.

[chuck the duke]

The development of Jimmy Jacobs from his debut in RoH to the I Quit match with Austin Aries.

[Manute Bol]

The Bret/Owen feud. From seeds being planting at Survivor Series 1993 up until their final encounter No Holds Barred Match on the 3/27/95 RAW, their feud was just great stuff. Excellent matches, good storytelling, logical returns for Bulldog and Neidhart. I loved everything about it. It was so good that I remember being shocked when they reconciled to form the heel Hart Foundation in 1997. I was so invested in the story that I just couldn't have fathomed that ever happening.