10 Real-Life WWE Feuds That Were Too Hot For TV

1. Shawn Michaels Vs. The Rock

Chris Jericho Brock Lesnar
WWE

Perhaps the biggest on-screen rivalry that never came to be involved the 'Heartbreak Kid' and the 'Brahma Bull'.

According to numerous reports over the years, Shawn Michaels and The Rock never squared-off because they didn't get along. Supposedly, the animosity was primarily one-sided with Rock not caring for Shawn dating back to even before Dwayne Johnson broke into the wrestling business.

The story goes that, in what would've been around 1985, while working for Lia Maivia (Dwayne's grandmother), a young Michaels said something derogatory about Grandma Rock, thus spawning the heat. Add to that Michaels' foul reputation back when Rocky Maivia joined the WWF in '96 (and the fact Shawn's arch-rival Bret Hart had taken Rocky under his wing), and you have enough reasons to believe the rumors of dissension.

The Rock didn't go into detail, but did admit to never having an interest in working with Shawn during an interview with WWE.com several years back. Since then, the two have been seemingly cordial to one another backstage when their paths cross, but that doesn't mean they didn't once have heat. Why else would WWE have avoided such a huge money-making dream match?

Unfortunately, this is just one of those feuds that ended up being too real to bring to the ring.

Contributor
Contributor

A former stuntman for Paramount Pictures, Matt enjoys sports, water skiing, driving fast, the beach, professional wrestling, technology, and scotch. At the same time, whenever possible. Having attended many famous (and infamous) shows including WrestleMania XV, In Your House: Mind Games, and the 1995 King of the Ring, Matt has been a lifelong professional sports and wrestling fan. Matt's been mentioned in numerous wrestling podcasts including the Steve Austin Show: Unleashed, Talk Is Jericho, and Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard. As a former countywide performer, Matt has been referred to as Mr. 300 for his amazing accomplishments in the world of amateur bowling. He is also the only man on record to have pitched back-to-back no hitters in the Veterans Stadium Wiffle Ball League of 2003.