Other forms: grudge matches
When two players or teams have an intense rivalry, the game or contest between them becomes a grudge match. Because both sides are so busy trying to prove their superiority, grudge matches are not as fun to play — but they can be exciting to watch!
Grudge matches can arise for various reasons. Sometimes, two teams have a history of rivalry — perhaps because they represent the same city and are trying to attract the same fans. In other cases, people who are very closely matched and have held the same championships may challenge each other for the title. And sometimes, the players represent countries that are political opponents, as in the Canada–Russia hockey series in 1972 during the Cold War.