10 Hyped WWE Feuds That Were Complete Failures

8. Kurt Angle Vs. Triple H

Wade Barrett John Cena 2010
WWE.com

Running from 2000-01, the Kurt Angle/Triple H/Stephanie McMahon love triangle angle started strongly, but went off a cliff as soon as the stakes were raised. After weeks of tension, Angle and Stephanie shared a backstage kiss, understandably making ‘The Game’ lose his mind, and forcing him into action. The duo spent weeks attacking each other until Commissioner Mick Foley made the match for Unforgiven and inserted himself as special referee, just to keep things under control.

The story had become increasingly convoluted in the build-up to the event, and the duo had already lost vast swathes of crowd support by the time they stepped into the ring. The result was a massively disappointing match that while technically adept, did little to create a sense of drama, and only dragged the story further into the mire.

They wrestled for the WWE Championship at the 2001 Royal Rumble, and again, it was a disappointment. A Steve Austin run-in closed the feud with an inconclusive outcome, and the belt (and champion) were treated as an afterthought for another McMahon family soap opera. They’re two of their generation’s most talented performers, but as rivals, Angle and Triple H were never able to complete a compelling program.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.