5 Best Revenge Storylines In WWE History

The old saying is that revenge is a dish best served cold, and anyone that's familiar with The Punisher understands how exhilarating a story of remorseless vengeance can be. Naturally, professional wrestling on the whole has long been a haven for the "payback" plot - a hero gets done dirty by evil forces, so they (sometimes gradually) claw their way back for a confrontation with their nemesis, obliterating them without a second thought.

Storytelling in professional wrestling hasn't always been even or satisfying, so when an epic-length story arc is able to captivate you for a sustained amount of time, it's especially gratifying. It's all contingent, of course, on the hero decimating the wrongdoer in the final scene, of course. WWE has managed to deliver mightily on this formula numerous times throughout its six decades of existence, as WrestleMania has oftentimes been the ideal spot for the protagonist to stand tall.

While we live in a pro wrestling world where "Payback" is fresh on the mind (though not for any specific reason), let's look back at the times where WWE presented its most excellent revenge storylines.

The old saying is that revenge is a dish best served cold, and anyone that's familiar with The Punisher understands how exhilarating a story of remorseless vengeance can be. Naturally, professional wrestling on the whole has long been a haven for the "payback" plot - a hero gets done dirty by evil forces, so they (sometimes gradually) claw their way back for a confrontation with their nemesis, obliterating them without a second thought.

Storytelling in professional wrestling hasn't always been even or satisfying, so when an epic-length story arc is able to captivate you for a sustained amount of time, it's especially gratifying. It's all contingent, of course, on the hero decimating the wrongdoer in the final scene, of course. WWE has managed to deliver mightily on this formula numerous times throughout its six decades of existence, as WrestleMania has oftentimes been the ideal spot for the protagonist to stand tall.

While we live in a pro wrestling world where "Payback" is fresh on the mind (though not for any specific reason), let's look back at the times where WWE presented its most excellent revenge storylines.

5. Undertaker Returns To The Dark Side (2003-04)

Undertaker's been "buried alive" before, but generally, the dude just shakes it off in short order. When brother Kane piled the dirt onto 'Taker's prone body in 2003, it seemed more definitive. A satisfied Kane crowed that he'd finally done what he'd long set out to do.

And then the mind games started - an occasional sound of a gong. The presence of caskets and urns. Supernatural occurrences like a jostling ring. Kane was now frazzled, but not as much as when Undertaker (back to his classic roots) returned from the grave at WrestleMania 20.

5. Undertaker Returns To The Dark Side (2003-04)

Undertaker's been "buried alive" before, but generally, the dude just shakes it off in short order. When brother Kane piled the dirt onto 'Taker's prone body in 2003, it seemed more definitive. A satisfied Kane crowed that he'd finally done what he'd long set out to do.

And then the mind games started - an occasional sound of a gong. The presence of caskets and urns. Supernatural occurrences like a jostling ring. Kane was now frazzled, but not as much as when Undertaker (back to his classic roots) returned from the grave at WrestleMania 20.

4. The Warrior One-Ups Savage (1991)

Irate that the Ultimate Warrior wouldn't grant him a WWF title match, Randy Savage cost Warrior his belt at the 1991 Royal Rumble against Sgt. Slaughter. To achieve this, Savage smashed Warrior in the face with a jewelled sceptre, leaving Warrior easy pickings for the pinfall.

Warrior's revenge came with a risk - he put his career up against Savage's at WrestleMania 7. The wager was worth it, as Warrior staved off five Flying Elbow Smashes to put Savage away, thereby avenging the ill-caused end of his 10-month championship run.

4. The Warrior One-Ups Savage (1991)

Irate that the Ultimate Warrior wouldn't grant him a WWF title match, Randy Savage cost Warrior his belt at the 1991 Royal Rumble against Sgt. Slaughter. To achieve this, Savage smashed Warrior in the face with a jewelled sceptre, leaving Warrior easy pickings for the pinfall.

Warrior's revenge came with a risk - he put his career up against Savage's at WrestleMania 7. The wager was worth it, as Warrior staved off five Flying Elbow Smashes to put Savage away, thereby avenging the ill-caused end of his 10-month championship run.

3. Bruno Teaches Zbyszko A Lesson (1980)

When struggling pupil Larry Zbyszko wrestled mentor Bruno Sammartino in a 1980 exhibition, he became increasingly flustered when the ageing Bruno constantly outdid him. Incensed, Zbyszko turned on Bruno, and left him in a pool of blood following a chair attack.

Bruno was once hesitant to engage Zbyszko, but now the gloves were off. After months of simmering heat, the two met in a steel cage match at New York's Shea Stadium. There, Sammartino beat Zbyszko to a bloody pulp, and left him laying as he boldly strode out the door.

3. Bruno Teaches Zbyszko A Lesson (1980)

When struggling pupil Larry Zbyszko wrestled mentor Bruno Sammartino in a 1980 exhibition, he became increasingly flustered when the ageing Bruno constantly outdid him. Incensed, Zbyszko turned on Bruno, and left him in a pool of blood following a chair attack.

Bruno was once hesitant to engage Zbyszko, but now the gloves were off. After months of simmering heat, the two met in a steel cage match at New York's Shea Stadium. There, Sammartino beat Zbyszko to a bloody pulp, and left him laying as he boldly strode out the door.

2. Bryan Conquers The Authority (2013-14)

Minutes after winning the WWE title at the 2013 SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan was done in by an Authority plot to have a more "desirable" Randy Orton be the face of the company. Bryan's attempts to get revenge in the ensuing months were ultimately in vain, and the angle petered out.

With an assist from an audience that would not let Bryan's time pass without a bigger moment in the sun, the feud was reignited, and Bryan got his shot. At WrestleMania 30, he completed a two-match parlay, defeating Triple H to get into the World title main event, which he then won.

2. Bryan Conquers The Authority (2013-14)

Minutes after winning the WWE title at the 2013 SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan was done in by an Authority plot to have a more "desirable" Randy Orton be the face of the company. Bryan's attempts to get revenge in the ensuing months were ultimately in vain, and the angle petered out.

With an assist from an audience that would not let Bryan's time pass without a bigger moment in the sun, the feud was reignited, and Bryan got his shot. At WrestleMania 30, he completed a two-match parlay, defeating Triple H to get into the World title main event, which he then won.

1. Austin Climbs The Corporate Ladder (1998-99)

So many pale imitators to this long-winding angle have followed, and few come close to matching up. Vince McMahon's constant stacking of the deck against Stone Cold resulted in Austin being screwed out of the WWF title a few times in the autumn of 1998.

To get back to the title scene (where The Rock waited), Austin had to win a Buried Alive match with The Undertaker, and a steel cage match with Vince himself (after also being screwed in the Rumble) to get to WrestleMania 15. Through all the obstacles, Austin ultimately prevailed.

1. Austin Climbs The Corporate Ladder (1998-99)

So many pale imitators to this long-winding angle have followed, and few come close to matching up. Vince McMahon's constant stacking of the deck against Stone Cold resulted in Austin being screwed out of the WWF title a few times in the autumn of 1998.

To get back to the title scene (where The Rock waited), Austin had to win a Buried Alive match with The Undertaker, and a steel cage match with Vince himself (after also being screwed in the Rumble) to get to WrestleMania 15. Through all the obstacles, Austin ultimately prevailed.