Caitlin Clark vs. Angel Reese Is Just the Beginning: How Rivalries Could Save Pro Sports

Illustration by Connor Phillips

When someone mentions Tom Brady, most people don’t immediately think about his completion percentage or QBR. People remember the man, his wins, and the names of the people who beat him.

Caitlin Clark is a driving force in the WNBA, but she isn’t doing it alone. You can’t bring her up without Angel Reese coming into the conversation as her foil.

Sports are more than just numbers.

Sure, stats are fun to talk about in the moment. I jump on X (formerly Twitter) and repost stats after a game just like everyone else. But that’s not what keeps people coming back. The drama and the rivalries are what keep fans hooked beyond the occasional standout performance.

A real sports junkie can enjoy an intense defensive battle between two football teams, but pitting two big names against each other elevates it from just a game to a cultural moment.

It’s something the WWE has perfected.

Sure, the wrestling and outcomes may be scripted, but the drama, the intrigue, and the rivalries are what have kept the WWE thriving multiple nights a week for decades.

More sports need to embrace rivalries the way WWE builds them.

The WWE Blueprint

Wrestling has so many ways to draw people in — larger-than-life characters, energetic live crowds, and athletic feats that people grow up emulating.

The wrestling itself may be the least important aspect of what WWE uses to get fans hooked. Babyfaces — the “good guys” — are who crowds rally around, much like fans have with Caitlin Clark. Heels — the bad guys — are built up as the obstacles.

One of the biggest stories in recent years centered around Cody Rhodes and his quest to “finish the story.” His one goal was to win the WWE Championship from Roman Reigns, a title his father Dusty Rhodes was never able to capture. Adding The Rock as “The Final Boss” raised the stakes from a one-on-one rivalry to a story that bridged eras and families.

Cody eventually won the title back in 2024 at WrestleMania XL. And WWE knew that the championship changing hands wasn’t the only thing that mattered. Yes, Cody won. But it wouldn’t have felt the same without the build.

The suspense isn’t just about stats and outcomes; it’s about the story told along the way.

Clark vs. Reese

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were mentioned early because they’re exactly the example major sports should follow.

The WNBA paints a clear picture of the benefits of leaning into rivalries. Caitlin Clark became the face of women’s basketball, and Angel Reese was immediately the heel in their story. In an article in The Washington Post, Candace Buckner said that the “story arc has grown the game.”

The WNBA fully leaned in when announcing the first-ever Rivals Week. Clark and Reese were billed as the opening matchup. While Clark was injured and didn’t play, it shows that the league is willing to go all-in on building up the season on a personal level between star players.

Brady and the Mannings

Football is a harder sport to script, because rivalries often feature players who aren’t on the field together.

There are great rivalries — the fans pick up on them, the media amplifies them — but the league itself doesn’t always treat rivalry games like spectacles.

Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning defined a generation. The two led their teams into battle year after year. And it wasn’t just Peyton that created drama with Brady.

Just as Sami Zayn’s Helluva Kick brought down Gunther’s historic Intercontinental Championship reign at WrestleMania XL, Peyton’s brother Eli Manning stepped in as the scrappy underdog who ended Brady’s near-perfect season in Super Bowl XLII.

Today, the modern NFL rivalry is Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen. The two have delivered classic playoff battles and still have plenty of years ahead.\

The problem is, the NFL doesn’t frame these matchups as ongoing sagas — unless they meet in the postseason. Yes, sports media gives them the star treatment, but the league itself should treat each game as another chapter in a much bigger story.

The WWE knows the payoff comes from the full build.

Toxic Engagement

On her Unapologetically Angel podcast, Angel Reese described the darker side of her rivalry with Caitlin Clark:

“I think there’s a lot of racism tied to it, and I don’t believe Caitlin stands for any of that. But when it comes to death threats — I’m talking about people coming down to my address, following me home — it’s come down to that.”

Reese and Clark lean into their competitive rivalry, but the fan narrative often takes on a life of its own. Reese’s “you can’t see me” taunt in the NCAA title game drew criticism, with many calling her “unprofessional” and “classless.” When Clark used the same taunt earlier, she was cheered — even John Cena reposted the clip celebrating her intensity.

In WWE, where feuds are manufactured to generate “heat” (strong fan reactions), things can still go too far. Dominik Mysterio may be the biggest heel in professional wrestling right now, but he’s also been the target of extreme fan behavior. In one instance, Ringside News reported that someone allegedly purchased weapons to attack him backstage.

Thankfully, WWE has protective measures in place to keep its talent safe. Pro sports leagues need to do the same while leaning into rivalries.

The Wrap-Up

Rivalries fuel fandom.

WWE’s blueprint shows how storytelling keeps fans craving more. The WNBA has found great success by embracing the Clark vs. Reese storyline, proving that highlighting player rivalries brings energy and attention to the game.

Bringing in new fans isn’t about stat lines and box scores; it’s about the people behind the numbers and the obstacles they overcome. It’s the Clark vs. Reese and Mahomes vs. Allen matchups that draw viewers and build lasting memories.

Rivalries are the stories people crave. It’s time sports treated them that way.