Rivalries & Legendary Matches in 2021
The first half of 2021 was packed with shocking betrayals, surprise returns, and unforgettable title matches. From January to June, WWE set the stage for a new era, with rivalries intensifying and superstars making their mark. Let’s take a closer look at the key matches and rivalries that defined the first six months of 2021—without spoiling the results.
📅 January – Royal Rumble Begins the Year 🏆
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Royal Rumble Match – Edge, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Braun Strowman, Christian
- Women’s Royal Rumble Match – Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Alexa Bliss
- WWE Championship Match – Drew McIntyre vs. Goldberg
- Universal Championship Last Man Standing Match – Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The Men’s Royal Rumble featured a powerful comeback, with one superstar lasting from start to finish. Meanwhile, a surprise return sparked excitement among fans.
In the Women’s Rumble, an emerging star made history by outlasting all challengers, signaling a major shift in the women’s division.
The WWE Championship saw the reigning champion take on a legendary opponent, proving that the new era had truly arrived. Meanwhile, the Universal Championship bout ended in chaos, with physicality and ingenuity on full display.
📅 February – Elimination Chamber: High Stakes ⛓️
🔥 Key Matches:
- Men’s Elimination Chamber Match – Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, AJ Styles, Kofi Kingston, Jeff Hardy, Sheamus
- Universal Championship Match – Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan
- United States Championship Triple Threat – Bobby Lashley vs. Riddle vs. John Morrison
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The Elimination Chamber tested endurance and cunning, and what followed was a shocking twist that left fans stunned.
The Universal Championship match was a strategic encounter, influenced by the events earlier in the night—and by a looming WrestleMania challenge.
The U.S. Title picture saw a major shakeup, as an opportunistic superstar capitalized on distraction and chaos to walk away with gold.
📅 March – The Road to WrestleMania 🛣️
🔥 Key Matches & Segments:
- Bobby Lashley vs. The Miz (WWE Championship Match)
- Edge vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Roman Reigns (WrestleMania Challenge)
- Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The rise of a new WWE Champion shook the main event scene, sending shockwaves through the locker room.
Tension built among three elite competitors, all vying for the Universal Championship spotlight at WrestleMania.
Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks’s partnership took a turn as WrestleMania drew closer, setting the stage for one of the year’s most anticipated clashes.
📅 April – WrestleMania 37: The Showcase of Immortals 🎇
🔥 Key Matches:
- Universal Championship Match – Roman Reigns vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan
- WWE Championship Match – Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre
- SmackDown Women’s Championship Match – Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair
- Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
WrestleMania 37 delivered massive moments, including a triple threat that brought chaos and championship implications.
The WWE Title clash between two powerhouses captivated fans with its hard-hitting intensity.
A women’s title match made history on multiple levels, while a celebrity debut wowed the audience with in-ring surprises.
📅 May – Backlash & New Challenges 💥
🔥 Key Matches:
- WWE Championship Match – Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Braun Strowman
- Universal Championship Match – Roman Reigns vs. Cesaro
- RAW Women’s Championship Match – Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
The WWE Championship scene grew more chaotic with three dominant forces colliding in a brutal title match.
Cesaro earned a shot at glory and tested the limits of the Universal Champion in a gritty battle.
Rhea Ripley stood tall against seasoned veterans, aiming to solidify her reign as RAW Women’s Champion.
📅 June – Hell in a Cell: Intensity Rises 🔥
🔥 Key Matches:
- WWE Championship Hell in a Cell Match – Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre
- SmackDown Women’s Championship Match – Bianca Belair vs. Bayley
- Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro
🎭 Highlights & Rivalries:
Inside the Cell, the WWE Championship rivalry reached its boiling point in a match where careers—and future opportunities—hung in the balance.
Bianca Belair took on a familiar foe in a brutal title defense that further proved her rise to the top was no fluke.
Seth Rollins and Cesaro reignited their rivalry with another fierce contest, each trying to outclass the other.
🔥 2021 Summary – The First Half in Review
The first half of 2021 saw epic rivalries, championship battles, and unforgettable moments.
- Roman Reigns’ unrelenting hold on the Universal Title 👑
- Bobby Lashley’s dominant WWE Championship reign begins 🏆
- Bianca Belair’s meteoric rise in the women’s division 🌟
- Edge’s return to the WrestleMania main event spotlight 🎭
As WWE moved into the second half of 2021, anticipation built around who would challenge the dominant champions and who would rise to seize the spotlight next.
