Y&R BOMBSHELL: ERIC BRAEDEN AND MICHAEL MUHNEY BURY THEIR EXPLOSIVE BEEF AFTER YEARS OF BAD BLOOD
TL;DR: Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney have publicly buried their infamous Young and the Restless feud that led to Muhney’s 2014 firing, with both actors now expressing mutual professional respect after years of tension.
Hold onto your remotes, Y&R fans, because the soap opera world just witnessed something we NEVER thought we’d see! The legendary beef between Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) and Michael Muhney (former Adam Newman) that tore the fandom apart has officially been buried. Yes, you read that right – the Old Lion and Young Lion have finally found peace!
Did Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney Really Bury Their Beef?
Yes, Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney have reached a professional detente after years of bad blood. Muhney publicly stated on social media that his “best scenes were often always with” Braeden, while Braeden has consistently called Muhney a “great actor” despite their past differences.
This isn’t your typical Hollywood makeup session with hugs and lunch dates. What we’re looking at is two professionals who’ve decided to let bygones be bygones and acknowledge each other’s talent. Braeden has been crystal clear in recent statements: “I welcomed Michael Muhney… He is a great actor. We did have our differences, but for anyone to say that I had him fired is a lie.”
The shift started gaining traction around 2018 when Muhney responded to a fan wishing to see them in scenes together again. His response? “Me too! Best scenes I had were often always with him.” That’s a far cry from the explosive shouting matches and “fisticuffs” that Braeden admitted almost happened back in 2014!
What Caused the Original Braeden-Muhney Feud?
The original feud exploded when Michael Muhney was fired from Y&R on December 17, 2013, after Eric Braeden revealed that Muhney had allegedly campaigned to get him removed from the show.
Let’s revisit the drama that shook daytime to its core! Braeden dropped a bombshell in a January 2014 interview, claiming Muhney wanted to be “head honcho” and saw himself as the “young lion” trying to push aside the “old lion.” The tension reportedly culminated in a shouting match that almost turned physical. Braeden admitted he was “prompted to get into fisticuffs” with his TV son!
But that wasn’t the only narrative floating around. Muhney initially blamed his own “hubris” and being “outspoken” for his dismissal. TMZ later reported allegations that became the third narrative in this messy saga. The combination of all these factors created a perfect storm that ended with Muhney’s abrupt exit and fans literally flying banners over CBS Studios reading “NO ADAM NEWBIE, JUST MICHAEL MUHNEY”!
Why Did It Take So Long to Bury the Hatchet?
The reconciliation took years because both Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney needed to protect their respective legacies and process the career-altering fallout from the 2014 scandal.
Think about it – this wasn’t just some minor disagreement between co-workers. This was a massive public blow-up that divided an entire fanbase! Braeden had to defend his position as the undisputed patriarch of Y&R, while Muhney had to rebuild his reputation after losing one of daytime’s most iconic roles.
The wounds ran DEEP. Fans organized boycotts, signed petitions by the thousands, and spent $785 on that airplane banner. Meanwhile, Muhney had signed a contract through 2015 that was abruptly terminated, and the role of Adam Newman was recast not once but TWICE after his departure. That’s not the kind of drama you just get over with a quick apology!
What’s Next for Eric Braeden and Michael Muhney?
Reading between the lines, this detente opens doors for potential professional acknowledgment but don’t expect Michael Muhney to return as Adam Newman anytime soon.
Could this mean we might see Muhney back in Genoa City one day? Don’t be surprised if this stays strictly as mutual respect from a distance. Braeden remains the unchallenged king of Y&R at 83 years old, while Muhney has moved on with his career. This has all the makings of a “we’re good but we’re not grabbing coffee” situation.
Given Braeden’s history of fierce loyalty to Y&R and Muhney’s complicated exit, something tells me this peace treaty is more about letting go of the past than building a future together. If I know these two, they’ll keep things professional and distant – which honestly, after everything that went down, is probably for the best!
My gut tells me CBS is breathing a sigh of relief that this beef is finally buried. The network never officially explained the firing, and now they don’t have to worry about two of their biggest stars (past and present) throwing shade at each other in interviews.
The Bottom Line
The Braeden–Muhney beef becoming a buried hatchet is bigger than any on-screen storyline. It’s two actors choosing professionalism over prolonged pettiness. The Old Lion and Young Lion may never share a scene again, but at least they’re not at each other’s throats anymore. And honestly? That’s character growth we love to see – even if it’s off-screen!
Don’t miss our latest The Young and the Restless spoilers for more twists and turns.
