In the movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, he's changed to a Big Bad with a serious grudge against Kirk, as the new world ended up becoming an inhospitable wasteland after six months due to a Negative Space Wedgie and his wife subsequently dying from brain slugs. Before that, there was Grey from Choujin Sentai Jetman, who formed this type of relationship with The Lancer, Gai. Over the course of the show, the two dueled every time they saw each other. This culminated when the two had their final duel (which Gai won), and ended with Gai lighting a cigarette in remembrance of Grey. In the end, they were not so different. Kikitik-27: Humbly we are gratified to be recognized by an opponent such as [the Storm-Witch] known to us with certainty credited for murders uncountable which we must respect...

Through Her Eyes: Pyrrha starts to consider Ruby one after she loses control of her powers, goes berserk, and defeats Pyrrha. Apparently, it was the first real challenge Pyrhha had had in years; it also made her realize how much she loved a fight that actually tested her. Prior to the Ravens' formation, the Steelers had their intense rivalry with the Cleveland Browns, who the Ravens were born out of a plan to move the Browns there note Long story short: In 1995, Browns owner Art Modell planned to move the Browns to Baltimore, but after the city of Cleveland objected, a compromise was settled where the Browns' players would move to Baltimore, but the Browns' records and history would stay in Cleveland, before reviving the Browns as an expansion team in 1999.. Steelers owner Dan Rooney was one of only two NFL team owners to oppose the move, and in their last matchup in the 1995 season, Steelers fans wore orange armbands to honor their rivals. In the Master's first appearance in the series ( "Terror of the Autons") he actually uses the phrase "worthy opponent" to describe the Third Doctor. Macbeth is also one of these; he is one of the only humans who can match Goliath in hand-to-hand combat, but he also shares a similar code of warrior's honor and though he has clashed with the gargoyles on several occasions — and would likely do so again if his goals called for it — there is little real malice, and a good deal of respect, on both sides.But wait! There is more! As Mar-Vell reaches Death's door...He sees Thanos of Titan, who was dead at that time. He walks up to him and says that an end like this was unworthy of his greatest enemy and then proceeds to battle him, calling forth upon the souls of defeated enemies of the Captain until he reaches Death, and hence, relief and rest from life's burdens. Some say this is Starlin's best work. Despite their fierce and often ruthless battles, Battler often inspires the same respect he gains for his opponents. They include Beatrice, Erika and Knox, although the first one evolves into something more. Battler tries to extend this sentiment to Bernkastel right before their final battle, but she clearly does not reciprocate it. Its white limestone walls proved to be an impassable obstacle. Even Algirdas admitted that the Muscovite prince had constructed a military wonder. Interviewing Scientist: "Why does his death bother you? You've killed many humans before, why is he so-"

Iron Man had this dynamic going on with a couple iterations of the Crimson Dynamo, the armored hero of the Soviet Union, most notably Crimson Dynamo V, Dimitri Bukharin. Bukharin was a straightforward superhero who happened to be working for America's enemy, and there was a great deal of mutual respect between him and Iron Man. Squirrel Girl of all people. Doom considers her his sixth most dreaded nemesis, and he has pretty much accepted that any fight between them will end in his humiliation. He generally tries to avoid her as much as he can and has made sure the propaganda apparatus in Latveria has painted her as a vile monster.

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Shane McMahon— after the better part of a decade out of the company entirely, Shane returned as the prodigal son for his birthright, and was thrust into a match against 'Taker, with both of their legacies and careers on the line, at WrestleMania XXXII. Shane had a month to prepare, and was 46 at the time, going into the (51 year old) Undertaker's specialty match, Hell In A Cell, in 'Taker's home state. Though Shane was far from Taker's toughest opponent, he still put up a fight, reversing some of 'Taker's moves, and persisting with the Bring It gesture throughout the fight. After taking bumps on the steel stairs, the Spanish Announcers' Table, and leaping from the top of the 20 foot cage, Shane had nothing left in the tank but his pride, and persisted with the Bring It gesture, twice. The Undertaker looked kindly on Shane, in sharp contrast to the "I'll do what I have to do" demeanor before the fight, and calmly patted Shane on the cheek before finally finishing the match. Hanse Davion and Takashi Kurita. The two would feud bitterly on the battlefield, but also respected each other's prowess as warriors and never underestimated each other. Their fights were notable for being largely 'above the table' in a setting where espionage was rampant. In fact, when Kurita's beloved wife fell seriously ill, Davion sent a secret message to Kurita with well wishes for her speedy recovery. Contrast this to the mutually disrespectful relationship between Maximillian Liao and Hanse Davion, or Takashi Kurita and Katrina Steiner.

In The Tim Tebow CFL Chronicles, Tebow outright calls the Atlantic Schooners "worthy opponents" since they came closer than any other team to stopping the Argonauts' drive. While A_J of AJCO initially considered Egg to be a 'foolish, pathetic little girl' she changes her mind after the trial, which sees Egg beating A_J fair and square without ever having to lie, cheat or bribe. This admiration eventually leads to A_J having a My God, What Have I Done? moment after she expels Egg from the nuclear bunker into almost certain death. She runs out after her when she realizes what the consequences of her actions might be. Star Trek: The Next Generation: Also Romulan, Commander Sela was Data's Worthy Foe — a concept the series constantly beat us over the head and chest with whenever Sela showed up. On Psych, master thief Despereaux is impressed when Shawn is the first to figure out that his "robberies" are really just taking stuff so the owners can cash in on the insurance. Seeing Shawn a bit let down by this, Pierre decides to become a thief for real. He and Shawn clash a few more times but also work together as clearly Despereaux appreciates Shawn's smarts and the challenge of beating him.Once More with Feeling: Asuka finds both Shinji and Toji to be these when it comes to verbal sparring; Shinji in terms of wit, and Toji in terms of tenacity. Robin and the second Red X in Teen Titans (2003). One could argue that Slade considers Robin a Worthy Opponent, but Robin simply sees Slade as a diabolical villain. X also has a crush on Starfire; in one episode, he pins her, then calls her "cutie" and remarks that the "only crime" between them is that they haven't gone on a date. (However, her response is to blast him with her Eye Beams.) FBI Agent Alexander Mahone, Worthy Opponent to Prison Break protagonist Michael Scofield in the second season. Mahone frequently expresses his professional admiration of Michael, and is the only person that Michael really fears will catch him (out of, you know, the entire United States law enforcement community). However, while he fulfills every other requirement to a T, Mahone subverts one aspect of the trope by being genuinely committed to killing Michael, and offs a fair few other characters along the way.