When Shaq and Kobe joined the Lakers, a dynasty seemed certain. But clashing egos, contrasting styles, and Hollywood pressure made their partnership a ticking time bomb.
Mike Piazza and Roger Clemens' rivalry peaked in the 2000 World Series when Clemens threw a broken bat at Piazza, following a fastball to his head, sparking an iconic brawl.
Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Ted Thompson's clash sparked a fiery rivalry. As Favre's reign faded, tension, media chaos, and power struggles tore apart the Packers forever.
In the 1996 NHL Western Conference Finals, Detroit's 41-year Cup drought collided with the new-look Colorado Avalanche. A brutal hit and Lemieux's sucker punch ignited chaos.
By the 2003-2004 season, the Eagles were primed for a Super Bowl run, but tensions between Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb escalated, dividing the team and fueling a rivalry.
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov's rivalry, fueled by insults and a cultural divide, explodes before UFC 229, sparking a post-fight brawl.
Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau's feud makes golf a battleground of egos; what begins as jabs spirals into chaos, viral moments, and nonstop drama.
Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate's rivalry defines women's MMA; Ronda's Judo clashes with Miesha's wrestling in two title fights, boiling over into The Ultimate Fighter and beyond.
Mayweather and Pacquiao's rivalry builds up to the 2015 Fight of the Century, a clash of styles, drama and anticipation that defines boxing supremacy.
The Blue Jays-Rangers rivalry ignites in the 2015 ALDS with Bautista's bat flip; in 2016, tensions explode when he is hit, slides hard into second, and takes Odor's brutal punch.
Hamilton and Verstappen's rivalry is one of F1's fiercest; as Hamilton chases a record 8th title, Verstappen fights for his first, igniting a brutal battle for supremacy.
Pat Riley's shocking '90s exit from the Knicks, resigning via fax to join the Heat sparks a fierce rivalry, fueling a decade of bad blood, playoff wars, and brutal clashes.