Looking back at 10 WWE feuds that went beyond the script

Hulk Hogan’s passing at 71

With Hulk Hogan’s passing at 71, many are pausing to remember not only his era, but also the wild world he helped shape.

The wild world he helped shape

WWE has always blurred fact and fiction, yet some clashes behind the curtain were more explosive than anything fans saw on screen.

Randy Savage vs Hulk Hogan

Once tag partners, Savage and Hogan had a falling out that makes high school drama look tame. Accusations flew, real-life tension around Savage's relationship with Miss Elizabeth spilt into storylines, and allegedly, so did Savage’s fists – right into Hogan’s face before WrestleMania IX.

Just 'a jet ski accident'

Hogan blamed his black eye on a jet ski. Sure, brother. Savage certainly didn't buy it, as Scott Steiner can attest, according to Wrestling News — and neither did most fans. They reconciled on-screen later, but the Mega Powers never quite reignited behind the curtain.

Booker T vs. Batista

In 2006, Batista made the rookie mistake of implying SmackDown’s locker room (read: Booker T) wasn’t up to scratch. Booker didn't just take offense – he took fists. The two, by most accounts, brawled backstage like it was the real SummerSlam.

Booker T earned some respect

Booker said the fight earned him respect. "It was a serious altercation, as serious as any altercation could ever be," he told Wrestling Inc. "But I got my respect." Batista later claimed it was a "misunderstanding." Translation: Batista caught those Harlem Heat hands and thought twice next time.

Goldberg vs. Chris Jericho

When Goldberg rolled into WWE, Jericho – already a respected veteran – wasn’t thrilled to see a guy who once big-leagued him in WCW. Words were exchanged, then Jericho escalated things with a classic submission.

Real-life submission match

Jericho recounted in his autobiography 'Undisputed' that he "took Goldberg down" with a front facelock. "I stepped to the side like the world’s worst matador and grabbed him in a front facelock. It was the only shoot hold I knew, one that harkened back to my days bouncing at Malarkey’s in Calgary…" he wrote. Apparently, the two patched things up after this.

Matt Hardy vs. Edge

In 2005, the love triangle between Edge, Matt Hardy, and Lita turned very real. When Hardy discovered Lita had been seeing Edge behind his back, he did what any self-respecting wrestler would do – he took it to the internet and blew the whole thing up.

An all round bad time

WWE shockingly used the drama on-screen. Hardy returned to a thunderous pop and promptly started stiff-shooting Edge on live TV. Years later, Edge said on the Steve Austin Show that the situation "sucked for everyone"—but hey, it made for unforgettable TV.

Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair

Once besties, Becky and Charlotte’s friendship unravelled like a bad tag team breakup. It came to a head in 2021, when they argued over a title belt exchange segment that reportedly turned very real backstage.

Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart

These two legends clashed over politics, egos, and Vince McMahon’s undying need for chaos. The boiling point? The infamous Montreal Screwjob – where Shawn "won" the WWF title without Bret’s consent.

"I was a jerk"

Michael said in 2022, per Sportskeeda, "I was a jerk back then." No kidding – there are dozens of people prepared to back that claim up. Thankfully, he's decades into a redemption arc. Hart, meanwhile, has defied all odds and remains bitterly upset about this.

CM Punk vs. Triple H

Punk made it very clear: he didn’t need to wrestle Triple H – Triple H needed to wrestle him. The tension was so thick, you could cut it with a pipe bomb. Creative differences? Try full-blown philosophical warfare.

CM Punk doing CM Punk things

Punk aired everything on The Art of Wrestling podcast, effectively calling out Hunter as a power-hungry gatekeeper. HHH never fired back publicly, but Punk’s departure left a scorched earth that WWE spent years trying to resow.

No vibes

It kinda showed too. While they worked together professionally, their matches were often described as stiff – and not just from selling. Fans have speculated about real tension for years, and both women have basically said, "Yeah, we’re not friends. Next question."

CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy

Punk as the smug, straight-edge preacher vs. Hardy as the beloved but troubled high-flyer? It worked way too well because it mirrored real life. Punk reportedly took issue with Jeff’s substance use, and Jeff did not appreciate the high horse.

Hardy still not a big fan of Punk

In a 2017 shoot, per Wrestling News, Hardy called out Punk for not only being overly judgmental (and a "nerd") but also said he was too cocky – both in and out of the ring. Punk left WWE soon after their feud, but the bitterness lingered – Hardy’s words years later still felt like they had some venom left.

Big Show vs. Great Khali

Imagine two actual skyscrapers fighting backstage. That’s what happened in 2009 when Big Show reportedly took issue with Khali using one of his signature spots. Words escalated, hands were thrown, and yes, the locker room probably shook a little.