Ranking The Biggest Rivalries In Wrestling Every Year 1990-2020
5. 2016 - John Cena Vs AJ Styles
A rivalry emblematic of the changing face and in-ring philosophy of the company, John Cena and AJ Styles had total bangers that completely paid off the dream match aesthetic between the two all in an effort to (ultimately, successfully) establish 'The Phenomenal One' as a made main event man in 'The Champ's impending longer term absence.
The two wrestled as if Styles was the performer Cena had been looking for for years. His 2015 United States Title reign showed his more expressive side with the likes of Kevin Owens, Cesaro and Sami Zayn, but never had the WWE lifer ever looked so much like a New Japan stan.
Two gripping singles matches resulted in a three-way that enlivened then terminated Dean Ambrose's tepid WWE Championship run, placing the company's top prize on a man once thought to be a TNA lifer. Things, for a bit, were actually different.