Top 5: WWE Main Roster Feuds of 2017

2017 produced many moments that will live on in our memories for a lifetime. At this stage, WWE is clearly giving the most comprehensive attention to their product since 2005. There was an aura of effort I saw in 2017, and I hope that expands into 2018 full force as WrestleMania 34 looms.

I think we would be remiss though if we did not recognize the storylines that kept us coming back to the product over the last calendar year. These rivalries moved WWE through a long year of surprises, changes and payoffs. Here are my top five feuds of 2017 in ascending order:

5. AJ Styles vs. John Cena

I put this so low on the list because it only withstood for about a month or two of 2017. This feud began way back in summer 2016 and managed to result in many main event matches in it’s incredible timeline. Royal Rumble 2017 would be the last high profile match between AJ Styles and John Cena to date, and that match alone is enough to make their rivalry one of the best of the year. Not to mention that the match also resulted in John Cena matching Ric Flair’s 16 world title wins (but not really, but whatever). With so much weight behind it, this storied feud culminated in 2017 and firmly makes the list for best rivalries of 2017.

4. Seth Rollins vs. HHH

HHH cost Seth Rollins the Universal title back in the summer of 2016, and Seth spent the better part of eight months trying to bring HHH out of the fray and into the ring. This was a long feud that had a decently underrated payoff, as they clashed in what was in my opinion the best in ring contest on the WrestleMania 33 card. My favorite part of this feud was when Rollins went so far as to invade an NXT Takeover special mid show in order to call out HHH. Overall, an untimely and unfortunate injury really gave this feud the suspense it needed, as Rollins would overcome a knee injury in the knick of time to compete at WrestleMania and pick up the win. This feud was rocky at points, but it was gold.

3. Braun Strowman vs. Roman Reigns

This rivalry kept RAW going for months upon months. I personally thought the matches in this feud were the least impressive part though. How both men interacted and how they were both always up for a fight made this really fun to watch in 2017. Moments like Roman ramming an ambulance into a wall with Strowman inside and Strowman tipping over an ambulance with Reigns inside really brought this rivalry outside the box and kept it fresh too (albeit the amount of ruined ambulances). I would absolutely howl in laughter whenever Braun would say “I’m not finished with you!” and I would also lose my mind when Braun would find new creative ways to beat up Roman. I think I watched a gif of Braun throwing an announcer chair at Roman for at least 20 minutes. In short, they both went above and beyond in this still somewhat never ending feud. Also beating up Roman is funny.

2. Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho

The festival of friendship. Need I say more? This best friendship turned bitter rivalry is exactly what fans want to see out of WWE storytelling. Although the in-ring bout at WrestleMania did not involve the Universal title and may not have lived up to the hype, the moments leading up to the match were spectacular. Jericho and Owens worked so well together in the first few months of 2017 and dished out some of the most entertaining promos in years. I would even specifically tune in to backstage interviews if they involved KO and Y2J just because of their antics such as never getting Tom Phillips’ name right and so on. As I said, the payoff may have not been there, but this feud had payoffs all along the way, especially with the festival of friendship.

1. The Usos vs. The New Day

This is truly a historic time in WWE. A tag team feud reached such incredible heights in 2017 as the Usos and The New Day both delivered in a slew of PPV matches throughout the year. Each match was spectacular and well thought out, showing that both teams hold some of the best minds in the business. When SummerSlam ends and everyone is talking about the kickoff match, you know it was something really special. The Usos resurrected in 2017 as one of the greatest tag teams in the industry today, and The New Day maintained their role as a top babyface draw. Even through all the title hot potato, this feud consistently intrigued wrestling fans throughout it’s timeline.