10 Worst WWE Feuds Of 2016

4. Roman Reigns Vs. Triple H

Triple H Roman Reigns
WWE

WWE have been trying to recreate the magic of Vince McMahon vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin for decades now. Their rivalry was a cornerstone of the Attitude Era’s success, and without it, it’s hard to imagine WWE making it through the Monday Night Wars unscathed. It was a straightforward tale of the beer-drinking everyman against his corrupt corporate boss, something everybody could relate to, and it made Austin his era’s biggest star.

The anti-authority babyface vs. evil boss story losses impact every time it's retold, however, and this year’s incarnation was a rank failure. Roman Reigns vs. Triple H set WWE’s 2016 off to a disastrous first quarter, and cursed us with one of the dullest WrestleMania main events of all-time.

Triple H’s WWE Championship reign was tolerated on an “anyone but Roman” basis, but that’s it. The company chose to put their strap around a largely inactive authority figure, and Reigns didn’t make for a compelling challenger. He was routinely jeered throughout the feud, and the pop Triple H got for eliminating him from the Rumble was one of the year’s loudest.

A lazy story that completely failed as a means of getting Roman over as a babyface, and effectively doomed WrestleMania from the moment Hunter won the Rumble.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.