Time to put you on the spot wrestling (sorry sports entertainment) fans. Name your favorite rivalry in your lifetime you witnessed on WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) TV. I am sure your initial answer will depend on what era you grew up in, the 1960-70’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, 2000’s or this current decade.
The WWE and DK Publishing decided to share some of the best in their new release WWE GREATEST RIVALRIES: EPIC BATTLES, BRUTAL BETRAYALS, BREAKUPS AND MAKEUPS
. The man put in charge of this undertaking was Jake Black. Before you get going with my review, please remember the rivalries are only from WWE. If you are expecting mentions of other promotions, do not buy this book. Because it’s all about WWE for near 200 pages.
The book is broken up into sections: Classic Era, Attitude Era and Modern Era. The Classic Era begins with the “Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino and his battles with “Superstar” Billy Graham & Larry Zbyskzo of 1977 and 1980 (definitely check both out on WWE Network, they hold up near 40 years later) and run through 1995 and the battles between Kevin “Diesel” Nash and Shawn Michaels. Mixed in are legendary feuds between “Macho Man” Randy Savage & Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat, “Ravishing” Rick Rude & Jake “the Snake” Roberts, the British Bulldogs & the Hart Foundation to name a few. The recently reinstated Hulk Hogan is here but he gets a double page spread of his greatest rivalries of the 1980’s.
The Attitude Era covers everything the fans expect from Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels, The Rock & HHH, Rock vs “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Kane and the Undertaker, Rock vs. Mankind (Mick Foley), Rock vs. HHH plus Austin vs. Mr. McMahon. The Monday Night War with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) is covered, but in just a two page spread like the battles with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW.)
The Modern Era covers all of the interesting rivalries with the current stars of Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live like Charlotte Flair & Sasha Banks, John Cena & Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn & current Universal champion Brock Lesnar gets the two page spread similar to Hogan. Surprising to this reader was the inclusion of former WWE Superstar CM Punk and his wife AJ Lee. The layout is simple and easy to follow for young readers in your life and bright color photos. Get this for the wrestling fan in your life, you won’t regret it.
You can buy the book in your local store or online retailers like Amazon at the suggested price of $24.99. Thanks to DK Publishing, specifically Kristen Fisher. Follow me on social media @MyNameIsWojcik on Twitter and www.Facebook.com/MyNamisWojcik. ;