r/oldschoolwrestling

Some of the best rivalries in wrestling history felt extra intense because there was legitimate tension between the wrestlers in real life. When that real dislike leaked into the storylines, the matches and promos just hit differently.

For a lot of people, the Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels feud is the gold standard. The bad blood between them was very real for years and culminated in the Montreal Screwjob. You could feel the animosity every time they were in the ring together.

Which old-school feud do you think had the most authentic heat behind the scenes?

With Mr. Perfect getting a nearly two-year long undefeated streak -- I get it. Not only did it fit into the "perfection" gimmick, but he was also fascinating to watch in the ring. And he legit won his matches by pinfall with minimal cheating against top talent. He deserved that honor.

However, when they gave the same distinction to Tatanka, it seemed like such a strange move. I struggle to think of any decent Tatanka matches, he didn't have that much ability and wasn't crazy over. And I guess it wasn't even really an undefeated streak since he lost several times to Martel on house shows though it wasn't common knowledge at the time. That's not even taking into account a lot of his big matches would result in a draw or he would win by disqualification or countout or something or just end up not appearing altogether. I just wasn't impressed by it.

We talk a lot about the great matches, but a truly great heel turn is an art form. The shock, the betrayal, the instant heat. The 80s territories produced some of the best because the audiences were so emotionally invested. What's your pick for the greatest 80s heel turn and what made it so effective? The build, the execution, or the aftermath?

There was a time when certain finishers carried a different kind of weight. Moves like the piledriver, the brainbuster, the Von Erich claw, or the figure-four leglock felt like they could actually end a career.

When those moves hit, they weren't just a transition, they were the definitive end of the fight. It took a lot of mental grit to even step into the ring with guys who mastered them. They made the finish feel important and protected the toughness of the business. Which old-school finishers do you remember feeling the most impactful or dangerous?

Some wrestlers completely changed when they turned heel. As babyfaces, they sometimes struggled to connect with the crowd, but once they started breaking the rules and showing their true colors, they became way more interesting and compelling.

It was like their natural personality finally had room to breathe. Classic examples include Larry Zbyszko turning on Bruno Sammartino, Rick Martel after leaving Strike Force, and "Stunning" Steve Austin during his early heel runs.

The switch made them feel authentic and dangerous in a way their babyface versions never quite did. Who are some wrestlers you thought were significantly better as heels than as babyfaces?