15 greatest Marvel Cinematic Universe rivalries

6. Captain America and Hydra

During World War 2 (Captain America: The First Avenger), Red Skull and Hydra made an attempt to take over the world. They almost won. If it wasn’t for the transformation of Steve Rogers becoming Captain America, Red Skull would have ruled the world with an iron fist.

Thankfully for the world, after defeating Red Skull, Steve Rogers sacrificed himself so that wouldn’t happen. When Rogers woke up decades later, he thought Hydra was destroyed. Little did he know, not only was that not true, but Hydra infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and the U.S. Government.

All that time was lost and it seemed like it was for nothing. Hydra was closer to taking over the world, his best friend was being used as one of their agents, and they made Rogers out to be a criminal. This may have been one of the most heartbreaking moments in Steve Rogers’ long life. In the end, Captain America, Black Widow, Falcon, and Nick Fury took down Alexander Pierce and Hydra — just not before the damage to Rogers was done though.

Cap had to fight people he thought he could trust, had his faith in America’s government tarnished, and battle a best friend he thought was dead. Cap’s feud with Hydra had to be one of the reasons Steve Rogers was happy to retire following Thanos’ defeat. It wasn’t just the fighting. Those horrific moments hurt Rogers on an emotional level. Scars like that don’t heal easily.

5. Valkyrie and Hela

Back in the day, Hela went on a rampage, killing everyone who stood against her. Among those people were the Valkyries, warrior women who could be looked at as the most dangerous and fiercest fighters in the Nine Realms.

Among those killed during Hela’s battle was a warrior who was close to the, now, last Valkyrie (played by Tessa Thompson). She pushed Valkyrie out of the way and sacrificed her own life to save her loved one. After seeing all of her people slaughtered, Valkyrie went to Sakaar and drank herself into a haze. But she never forgot the atrocious things that Odin’s daughter did.

Hela almost abolished an entire race of people by herself. It caused Valkyrie to give up her life as a warrior and almost drink herself into a stupor. The silver lining is it led to a great character being introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Valkyrie went through Hell and ended up facing the Asgardian who ruined her life. Valkyrie wasn’t scared and she didn’t waver in battle. She went at the slayer of her people with courage and rage in her heart.

4. Loki and Odin

Loki was born into a world that hated him. Unlike the other Frost Giants, Loki was born small and looked at as puny. For that, Loki was cast away by his father Laufey.

After the war with Jotunheim, Odin found Loki and raised him as his son and the God of Asgard. The bad part was Odin never told Loki of his true lineage. When Loki found out, he was furious. He felt like his whole life was a lie and as if he was destined to always come in second to his brother Thor. No matter how hard he tried, he’d never be good enough. Before Loki found this out, he was always the God of Mischief; however, this revelation sent him over the edge.

Loki didn’t necessarily hate Odin. If he did, he would have found a way to kill him and not just send him away. He may not have mourned when he died, but that’s understandable. Centuries of being lied to would leave anyone bitter.

It makes you wonder what would have happened if Odin would have told him the truth when he came of age. Would this lead him down a path of heroism instead of mischief and lies? Would he have been worthy of Mjölnir? All we know is that Loki had a deep disdain for his adopted father.