Tom Meents and Dennis Anderson are the literal bread and butter of Monster Jam, there will never, ever be a rivalry like these two. Godspeed to both of them.

I remember I used to hate Meents as a kid. This was because I was (and still am) a huge Dennis Anderson fan. But now I appreciate him way more due to the things he can do in a truck and how great he is with the fans.

You are right, Dennis and Tom are the GOATs of monster jam, these two has always been my childhood. One of my favorite rivalries of all time, with James Stewart vs Chad Reed comes to a close second.

Dennis vs Tom was and is still my favorite rivalry, and I was always team Meents. Just watching this video brought me back to my childhood and reliving memories I’ll forever cherish, and I’m forever grateful for being able to grow up in the 2000s as this rivalry got better and better

"Anderson believed Meents was cocky and arrogant." To be fair, Meents WAS cocky and arrogant back then. He also was an incredibly sore loser. I remember Meents driving up the front of Reptoid's truck after losing to him as an example. I absolutely hated him back in the day because of how he acted. Over time he chilled out to be the likable guy he is today but damn was he so easy to hate back then. I 100% agree that the rivalry isn't the same. I think what made this rivalry so strong is the fact that absolutely no one could regularly compete with dennis or tom. The question was not which of the trucks in the field would win, it was will it be tom or dennis? With a lot of truck teams falling out with field, there was absolutely no competition. Tom was already a rising star, this left the gate wide open with dennis being the gate keeper. Now a days every truck can possibly win and while I think that's better for a general show, it's also kept VERY friendly. It feels like drivers aren't really allowed to show their true personality for better or worse. Which, fair enough, imagine the fall out if some drivers from the south said their political takes. Part of me wants to know but most of me really doesn't want that part of my childhood ruined but we also don't get people like early tom meents acting like a general jerk out of pride any more.

I remember as a kid, I despised Tom Meents (I was a Dennis/Adam Anderson fan in 2008-2011), but now I look back fondly on Meents then as well as today.

So blessed to have seen both these guys live as a kid

I couldn't agree more this rivaly will never die between Dennis Anderson and Tom Meents

Something else epic, both Dennis Anderson and Tom Meents were on an episode of Destroy Build Destroy. The guys who competed built battering rams to destroy car windows, while both Dennis and Tom drove Grave Digger and Maximum Destruction in the competition.

Actually Tom still drove his original (2000) chassis all throughout the 2000s, he says that the original beast won him 8 championships And actually their last race one on one (I think) was in Rotterdam in 2016 - Tom won the race.

This rivalry was pretty similar to a rivalry I've actually known existed which was Dale Earnhardt vs. Jeff Gordon, Earnhardt, and Gordon were rivals on track, friends off track. This rivalry between Tom Meents, and Dennis Anderson was a very cool rivalry back then in Monster Jam. And that Monster Jam rivalry was similar to a NASCAR rivalry imo.

Anderson VS Meents rivalry is definitely the greatest and I am proud that I grew up watching Monster Jam it's because of this rivalry

Correction: Dennis Anderson was not born in August 14, 1960, he was born on October 24, 1960 and was born and raised in Chesapeake, VA. Awesome video and awesome topic, Jackson. God bless you, brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, monster jam was an elite series back in the day… glad to see it’s still going strong

This has got to be your best post yet! 👍🏁

I grew up with two rivalries: Tom Meents vs Dennis Anderson, and Ricky Charmichael Vs James Stewart (and Chad Reed to a degree.)

Grave Digger had a rivalry with Bigfoot as well. Well before Monster Jam existed.

I grew up watching all sorts of Motorsports and the rivalry these two had was on par with the best of em. Earnhardt/Waltrip, Schumacher/Field, Force/Pedrigon, etc.

Definitely a one of a kind rivalry and there’s none like it

I didn't know world finals 17 was the last time they ever raced against each other....I'm glad to say I was able to witness that in person

As a kid I never realized how blessed I was to see all these legends put on some of their best performances in Orlando. RIP Scott

The good ole days of Monster Jam I still have the biggest soft spot for the sport granted I don't really like what the sport has become today. However, that soft spot is still there I'm an old school fan & WOW! Do I miss the glory days of Monster Jam. Dennis Anderson vs Tom Meents NEVER EVER disappointed (Well maybe if you wanted one or the other to win & they ended up crashing etc...) either you liked one or the other OR maybe even you liked both. Dennis Anderson & Tom Meents will forever be the greatest Monster Jam drivers of all time. 🔥

I’ve been lucky to have watched both these gentlemen live. Both are amazing. Those that have never been to a live points completion, you are missing out. Amazing shows.

Dennis Anderson said in 2010 or 11 that 2017 was going to be his last year in his international monster truck hall of fame induction speech its on KZfaq ill have to find it

When i was growing up I had a Maximum Destruction vs Grave Digger poster on my wall

I still never understood the competitiveness of Monster Jam or how the scoring worked and I thought Nascar was hard to understand. I always thought of Monster Jam more as an entertainment show to watch big trucks make jumps and crush stuff and Nascar as a competitive race. Regardless I still enjoy watching both from time to time. Great little documentary on two of Monster Jams biggest drivers.

These two made my childhood. Max D was my favorite in freestyle while GD was my racing favorite (I know it’s kinda backwards). Great video!

I could never pick who was my favorite between these two absolute madmen. I felt like Meents was always in full send mode, but Anderson was calculated on the track. Love these guys.

Freestyle world finals 2001 is a bona fide core memory.

This is one of the greatest rivalries ever. The mutual respect and friendliness these 2 have really sets it apart from other ones that are actually heated.

Thanks for bringing back some memories! I always remember seein these 2 trucks go at it and as a kid was never worried about who the 2 drivers were driving them

These two legends defined my childhood growing up in the early 2000s. There will never be another two who can tear up the dirt like they can

Always will be a grave digger fan from sweden, man they drove those trucks like absolutely crazy during my youth when I watched, pure entertainment

Actually greatest rivalry in monster trucks is Bigfoot vs gravedigger

Gotta love both these guys

Fun fact I was born in Norfolk Virginia as well

I always knew that those two are world class for making wild freestyle runs, they both often lose the truck's body and then perform the most jaw dropping stunt everyone has seen 😅

Still love monster jam

Great video as always.

I appreciate that 07 Monster Jam OST 🔥 great video

Bad ass video man love it

And now it looks like Meents is retired too. Glad to see the trucks live on, this is probably the second greatest truck rivalry, maybe even better than the original, Grave Digger vs Big foot.

Legends!! Two great guy's. Real gentleman

The two 🐐

This brought back so many memories from my childhood

Will always be the Rivalry of all time Dennis Anderson Vs Tom Meents but I miss it so much wish Dennis was still driving so he can beat Tom again but overall still great guys

Childhood me died a little inside when I realized Bigfoot was not making an appearance in this video.

In the SPEED days, whenever Digger and Max-D were on the same show, I had my eyes glued to the screen and wasn’t leaving the couch, period. Dennis and Tom made Monster Jam on SPEED can’t miss TV

I'm not gonna lie, growing up I was, and still very much am, a fan of both (come at me all you want, it may be sacrilege but I don't care lol). It sucks that Dennis didn't go out on his own terms and that it was because of injury. Whenever Tom Meents announces he's retiring from competing to focus more on teaching the future drivers of Monster Jam and also hopefully be involved with running Monster Jam as a whole, my hope is that Dennis announces he's coming back for one final run, one last season of competing in Monster Jam, alongside his family, and his biggest rival and friend. Come the World Finals, they both unveil an extremely special scheme for their trucks, and you hype up the World Finals as being the last for Tom & Dennis (hopefully holding the World Finals in Vegas at Allegiant Stadium. It may not be Sam Boyd, but it is still Vegas) Granted, if Dennis is content remaining retired, that's completely okay. But, hey, a man can dream

True faxs you said right there

I will say, as a young kid the moment between Anderson and Meents at the end of World Finals II was incredibly impactful. I was a full on Grave Digger fan until Goldberg came onto the scene. Kind of “stole” me away, haha. But seeing them come together, hug, and shake hands after smashing each others trucks got it through my 5 year old head that you could compete against someone and still be friends with them. It made me happy that “they were friends now” and I could go back to liking both of them (even though I still rooted for Meents whenever they came head to head, haha).

My childhood... I liked Dennis Anderson and my dad liked Tom Meents. It was always fun keeping up with them and their rivalry

It was always fun watching Dennis and Tom going up against each other. They always pushed each other to go that extra step, to go that extra mile. Whenever both Dennis and Tom were competing in my home state of MN, everyone knew it was going to be a fun show. I do agree that I miss seeing a good rivalry between talented drivers and that it's not the same like it was before. (Still fun and thrilling but not like it use to be.) I don't think there will be another great rivalry like Dennis and Tom, the great titans of Monster Jam.

Bigfoot vs USA-1

I miss the old monster jam😢

I miss old monster jam. Back when there was more trucks, Scot Douglas was still with monster jam, and the world finals still used Vegas style racing. I remember back then when I was excited to get on the tv and watch it, but new monster jam ruined it for me. :(

I remember watching The Vegas Finals on PPV. Yes!! PPV monster trucks thats how popular and great the finals were back then i remember watching Dennis Bring out the 3 trucks after his poor freestyle run and Destroying them all while Tom Followed by bringing out a truck of his own and it was just the best Of Monster Jam the most entertaining For the Fans needless to say they Gave the PPV buyers their moneys worth!!!

This is the best rivalry ever and I watched the other ones also the whole time I was growing up

This is one rivalry where I’m a fan of both drivers. I literally grew up watching and rooting for both Grave Digger & Max-D.

Being born in 91, when i hear bad to the bone start playing. I only picture those red eyes start glowing in a stadium tunnel.

Tom and Dennis are both one of the most competitive people in monster jam. As of 7:10 AM CST, i am going to st louis for the 2nd event. I did somehow in T Mobile Center which is in Kansas City (not to confuse you with T mobile ARENA) get to meet the icon. Dennis Anderson. It was when we were leaving our seats to leave. Until I saw with my own eyes, him. I did get a photo with him and told him that i will be meeting his rival , Tom meents. Now, here I am. Meeting Tom Meents will be surprising for me because he has been my hero. Sure I like MAX-D better than grave digger (since its loved by the fans a lot) but it’s a good sport to watch. Seeing Dennis and Tom in just 2 weeks is very amazing. Not only do I go far from home to see his final event in St. Louis, but I also see him have some fun in The Dome at America’s Center, 1. Last. Time Thank you Tom and Dennis 🥹 (*Another thing to point out in the video, Tom said the N word in the video. Not digger. SO IT WAS WEIRD*)

I never knew tom had a 2nd Goldberg! I was literally in shock when tom pulled out a 2nd Goldberg at world finals 2! I was like dang, Tom went as far as to build another truck for this moment! the only time we here anything about Tom having another truck was right before he debuted and Destroyed his new truck at Cowboys Stadium. we hear I think it was Mike Hogwood says this truck as in access of 100 shows on it of course now there are 3 because Colten is driving a rear engine one

The Earnhardt vs Gordon rivalry of Monster Jam

I've been watching Monster Jam from 2005 to 2017. I even went to a show in 2015, where I met Tom Meents in Person.

Sad I saw grave digger in Orlando last Saturday and he kept tipping over but no matter what he is a legend

0:40 ah, now i remember

this was our Larry Bird/Magic Johnson rivalry

These 2 faced up in Destroy Build Destroy. Gave Digger won.

I remembered when I brought the World Finals 11 DVD, I rooted for Max-D and Meents to win and my sister rooted for Grave Digger... She's been away from MJ longer than it thought...

From the get-go I always loved both Dennis and Tom, but during my childhood I was more of a Digger fan, now I'm more of a Meents fan, they're both amazing drivers though

Grave Digger vs Maximum Destruction is an iconic rivalry

Without of doubt Dennis Anderson and Tom Meents are the greatest of all times. I do respect both drivers and teams. All though, I like Grave Digger better than Max- D. There'll probably won't be another one of those long rivalries like that ever again.

I'm gonna have to disagree that the Dennis and Tom rivalry is the main reason for the issues with monster jam because honestly the track changes and lack of crush cars is 100% what made the shows boring tbh sure the "rivalry" boosted ratings but Feld is killing everything about monster jam with it's current direction and unless they go back to the days of the early to mid 2000's it will end up fading into irrelevance

Monster Jam competition is a real as WWE

#1. BIGFOOT #2. Grave Digger #3. Goldberg/Max D #4. BEARFOOT #5. King Krunch Carolina Crusher was good but my fav truck was USA1

This rivalry is what made monster jam.

“It was my childhood our childhood”man you gonna make me sad

My favourite rivalry was one that was short lived in the sport but built up for ages lauda vs hunt I wasn’t alive but the lengths they pushed each other to was insanity wish I was alive to see it

And yet these two guys would probably take a bullet for each other. They probably have more fun getting at each other than anything

Digger forever!!!!

I remember one episode where they literally took most of their trucks(backups and mains) out trying to outdo eachother i think i could be wrong its been far to long

17:50 holy shit Tom went flying

Naw... I'd say Bigfoot and Gravedigger.

For nascar it was Dale Earnhardt vs Everyone else

I feel like something is missing now ever since Dennis left

❤grave digger and maxd

This is literally the only good natured rivalry ever

Monster jam the greatest rivalry in motorsports. Dennis Anderson, the 7-time world finals champion, 2 freestyle championships in 2000 and in 2007, 5 racing championships in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and in 2010. Happy 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, and 40th anniversary to grave digger. And on the other side is the now 14 time world finals champion Tom Meents. 6 in racing in, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2011, and 2012, 6 in freestyle, in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2013, and 2022, and 2 in the great clips 2 wheels skills challenge, in 2019, and 2022. Happy 10th, 15th, and 20th anniversary to max d

The peoples champ and the undisputed champion

I Remmeber there Wf 11 racing face off and there Wf 17 one too crazy. Rivalry 👍to both ledgends

For me Dennis Anderson quitting competing was similar to when dale Earnhardt died, Dennis Anderson is arguably the king of monster truck drivers.

Bigfoot vs Grave Digger

How bout Bear foot n Bigfoot? Or Gravedigger and Carolina Crusher? Or Taurus and Bearfoot. Or Bigfoot and Gravedigger. Or Bigfoot and Snake Bite?? Don't forget those.

Did anyone know that Tom Meents drove Grave Digger twice? Both times in 1999 and 2001 in Englishtown.

Really the greatest rivalry in motorsports Although an actual competition in it's grass roots beginning,monster jam is a motorsports entertainment show the outcome is determined long before the doors even open And for any driver not following the script grounds for immediate and permanent dismissal from the big truck circus Calling anything monster jam related the greatest rivalry in motorsports is like saying hulk hogan and Andrew the giant is the greatest rivalry in combat sports

When did grave digger start using its iconic aong that we all know?

I like Tom and Dennis but grave digger isn't the most famous or most recognizable that would be Bigfoot

Best in motor sports is a stretch. Great for sure, but best? Prost V Senna, Pearson V Petty, Carmichael V Bubba, Tracey V Bourdais, Verstappen V Hamilton.

I’d say another rivalry is Charlie pauken and Jim khoeler

Monster Jam is too safe now.