Storytelling is an important aspect of wrestling. Of course, when fans tune into WWE, they want to see the ongoing rivalry between two wrestlers. However, WWE also lightens the mood by incorporating a romance angle every now and then. Throughout the years, there's been plenty of on-screen romance stories. From Triple H and Stephanie McMahon to Lita and Edge, there have been lots of memorable on-screen pairings.
A majority of the time, these stars tend to move forward following a romance storyline. However, some wrestlers excel in these relationship storylines, resulting in WWE making them do more and more. Without further ado, here's a look at WWE wrestlers who had the most on-screen romances.
10 Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler is no stranger when it comes to wrestling romance stories. During her WCW days, she was in an on-screen relationship with David Flair, son of Ric Flair. Keibler's TV romances continued when she joined WWE. One of her early on-screen relationships was with Test, who Keibler also dated in real life.
On television, Keibler served as Test's new girlfriend and manager. However, after problems ensued, Keibler left Test for Scott Steiner. Yet, Stacy and Scott's relationship didn't last long when Steiner formed a partnership with her ex. Keibler's next WWE romance occurred in 2005 when she became the on-screen girlfriend of a young, babyface Randy Orton. However, their romance was cut short when Randy turned heel and RKO'd Stacy.
9 Lana
A majority of Lana's WWE storylines have consisted of her in a romance angle. Throughout most of her career, she's served as manager for Rusev. In 2015, the couple split up on television and Lana turned her attention to a new man, Dolph Ziggler. Meanwhile, Rusev became involved in a new romance with Summer Rae. A mixed tag match was set to take place between the two couples, but the storyline ended when news broke of Lana and Rusev's real-life engagement.
Lana and Rusev's marriage was soon addressed on WWE television, and whether they were heels or babyfaces, fans loved them. However, in September 2019, the couple was once again split up on-screen. Lana would turn heel by dumping Rusev and marrying Bobby Lashley. Lana and Bobby provided plenty of hilarious moments as they taunted fans with their love. But like many WWE pairings, this one didn't last long and it came to an end in the summer of 2020.
8 Maria Kanellis
During Maria Kanellis' first run in WWE, she was paired with a few on-screen romantic partners. Maria created a lot of buzz when she shared a kiss with John Cena. Despite the red-hot crowd reaction, WWE never capitalized on the pairing. Maria's next suitor would be Santino Marella. The two would prove to be gold with their comedic interactions. However, their nine-month relationship would end in March 2008 after Maria posed for Playboy. Towards the end of her WWE run, Maria would have brief romances with Dolph Ziggler and Matt Hardy.
After a seven-year absence, Maria returned to WWE with her real-life husband Mike Bennett aka Mike Kanellis in tow. Although the couple was popular on the indie circuit, they had trouble connecting with WWE audiences. One of the couple's final storylines before their departure was a pregnant Maria constantly humiliating her husband.
7 Terri Runnels
Early in her WWE career, Terri Runnels worked under the name Marlena and served as manager for her real-life husband Dustin Rhodes aka Goldust. They become one of WWE's most iconic, yet bizarre on-screen couples. One of the earliest wrestling storylines consisted of an angle with Brian Pillman feuding with Goldust over Marlena. However, the storyline would be dropped following Pillman's tragic death.
After Terri and Dustin split in real life, their on-screen personas also called it quits. Terri would go on to manage several other wrestlers, a few of which she'd be paired romantically. She had brief on-screen relationships with Shawn Stasiak and Perry Saturn. She also had a romance with Val Venus, whom she tricked into thinking she was pregnant.
6 Lita
When it comes to wrestling relationships, Lita's no stranger to them. She's had relationships both on and off-screen with a few WWE stars. During the Attitude Era, Lita and her real-life boyfriend Matt Hardy's relationship was featured on WWE television. Aside from Matt, Lita had a brief romance with Christian, then afterward entered into a pairing with Kane. Matt and Kane fought over Lita's affections, and the redhead was forced to marry Kane after he defeated Matt in a "Till Death Do Us Part" match.
In 2005, Lita's affair with fellow WWE wrestler Edge would be used as part of a TV angle. Lita turned heel when she divorced Kane and sided with the Rated-R Superstar. Lita's real-life and on-screen relationship with Edge would come to an end in 2006, and shortly afterwards she retired from WWE.
5 Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus was every man's fantasy when she debuted in March 2000. One lucky man who got to be paired with Trish on television was WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. McMahon was taken in by Trish's seductions and enjoyed the company of the Canadian blonde. But their relationship angered Vince's daughter Stephanie McMahon, which cumulated in an epic rivalry between the two women. The storyline ended with Vince humiliating Trish in the ring, and Stratus would later turn babyface.
Trish's next on-screen pairing came with Chris Jericho, who wooed the Women's Champion. Stratus agreed to go on a date with Jericho and fell in love before she realized she was part of a bet he had with Christian. Although Trish appeared to forgive Jericho, she got the last laugh when she turned on him at WrestleMania XX and aligned herself with Christian.
4 Stephanie McMahon
Shortly after her WWE debut in 1999, Stephanie McMahon was put into an on-screen pairing with Test. Stephanie and Test made an adorable couple, and the two were set to wed in November 1999. But in typical WWE fashion, this one was interrupted when Triple H informed the audience that he had married a drunk Stephanie. Although Stephanie seemed upset with the thought of being Triple H's wife, it was soon revealed the two were in cahoots to get revenge on Stephanie's father.
Following their marriage, Stephanie and Triple H unleashed a reign of terror in what was known as the McMahon-Helmsley Era. But their on-screen relationship faced a challenge when a love triangle developed between Triple H, Stephanie, and Kurt Angle. Although Stephanie admired Kurt and they shared a kiss, she stayed with her husband. But Stephanie and Triple H's on-screen marriage ended in 2002. However, in real life, the couple married in October 2003, and the relationship was then acknowledged on WWE television in 2009.
3 The Bella Twins
The Bella Twins know a thing or two about WWE romances. During Nikki and Brie's early days on the roster, they were featured in a love triangle with The Colons fighting The Miz and John Morrison for the affections of the sisters. Their next on-screen romance would be with Daniel Bryan, whom they often accompanied to the ring. However, the twins soon had competition from Gail Kim, who would win Bryan's affections. Although Brie didn't win Bryan's heart on-screen, she captured it off-screen and the two married in April 2014.
Brie and Daniel's real-life relationship would play out in a WWE storyline in which Brie defended her husband's honor against Stephanie McMahon. As for Nikki, her real-life wrestling romance would also be used for WWE television. In 2017, Nikki and John Cena feuded with The Miz and Maryse, who mocked the couple's relationship and Cena's reluctance to marry Nikki. This lead to a mixed tag match at WrestleMania 33, during which Cena would propose to Nikki.
2 Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler fancies himself a ladies man. "The Showoff" has been paired with some of WWE's most beautiful women, on-screen of course. Ziggler's first romance angle was with Maria Kanellis, who quickly fell for Dolph's flirtations. But being the womanizer that he is, Ziggler soon broke Maria's heart. Ziggler's next romance came with Vickie Guerrero, who served as his manager. She'd help guide him to Intercontinental Championship and United States Championship victories before ending their two-year partnership in 2012.
Ziggler's next lady love would be with AJ Lee, who turned heel upon becoming Dolph's girlfriend. Lee would be by Ziggler's side during his reign as World Heavyweight Champion, but he broke up with her after she inadvertently cost him his title. Ziggler would then go on to be part of a love quadrangle with Lana, Summer Rae, and Rusev; but that storyline got squashed. His most recent on-screen relationship came when he wooed Mandy Rose away from Otis. But Ziggler would end up losing Rose to Otis.
1 AJ Lee
AJ Lee is one of WWE's most popular female wrestlers. No matter what storyline she was put in, she excelled in the role. Of course, a majority of her stories consisted of romance angles. Early in her WWE career, AJ was paired romantically with Daniel Bryan. They became a fan favorite with the sweet, shy AJ cheering on her boyfriend. But trouble loomed for the couple as Bryan turned heel and started berating his girlfriend. Lee found solace in the form of CM Punk, who shared similar interests with the nerdy AJ. Soon a love triangle developed with Bryan and Punk fighting over the affections of AJ. Things got more complicated with Kane entering the picture, and AJ loving the attention from all three men.
Eventually, Lee chose Bryan after he proposed to her. However, at their wedding, she dumped him after revealing she accepted a job as RAW's new General Manager. Lee's role as GM ended when her on-screen affair with John Cena was exposed. Lee's relationship with Cena would be brief with her turning heel and leaving him for Dolph Ziggler, who would be her last on-screen beau.