“The Showcase of the Immortals,” Wrestlemania 34 takes place on April 8th, 2018 and the excitement for this event is at an all-time high. As we approach this year’s Wrestlemania, I cannot help but look back at all of the classic matches that have happened throughout the years from “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat to Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker. With many legendary matches throughout the years, I also began to do what any wrestling fan does in his spare time and think about dream matches that I wish could happen on the “Grandest Stage of Them All.” Here are five dream matches that I feel would have been able to Main Event any Wrestlemania through the years, or at least be a marquee match on the card.
John Cena vs. Hulk Hogan
The first match on this list would be the ultimate “good guy” vs. “good guy” match. I feel that this is a match not many people have mentioned throughout the years as a must-see match, but one that I feel could be in the Main Event if the story is told properly. The story is already built in, the two faces of the company who stood for truth and justice, who always does the right thing going against one another. I feel that for this match neither participants need to be a Heel(bad guy) because it is a story that does not need one. They were both heroes for the children and mirror each other greatly. They could have played off of that in the storyline, and the fans would be in for the ride. The match may not be the most technical match ever, but it does not need to be a wrestling masterpiece to be a fun and exciting match. Imagine Hulk Hogan “hulking up” after taking a five knuckle shuffle and think to yourself how great of a moment that would be. Sadly though it looks like Hulk Hogan’s wrestling career has ended and is no longer affiliated with the company, as well as John Cena, becoming older and on his way out the door.
Stone Cold “Steve Austin” vs. CM Punk
A match that was built and promoted for a random WWE video game interview in which it took the internet by storm. Arguably the two best promos in the history of the wrestling business verbally going toe to toe was a sight to be held and left the fans thinking “If only this match were able to happen.” This match would benefit if Stone Cold and CM Punk have the best writings helping them and Vince McMahon letting them do what they want with the promos. The promos would be legendary, two of the very best ripping into each other week after week. I would imagine CM Punk would play the evil and dastardly Heel getting under Stone Cold’s skin whenever he can and Stone Cold gathering the support of the fans as well as trying to get his hands on CM Punk but not being able to. CM Punkceremoniously left the WWE in January of 2014 and does not look as though he wants to come back. Stone Cold has stated numerous times he is done with in-ring competition, so sadly it appears like this is a legendary rivalry that will never be.
Sting vs. The Undertaker
A dream match for years since the late 1990’s, Sting vs. Undertaker was a match that so many people wanted. Two very similar characters from two different companies. Both embodying mysterious and morbid characters which was a match that would have been very easy to build and could have had a possibility of happening but did not. When the wrestling company that Sting had worked for, WCW was bought by WWE in 2001, he decided not to make the jump over and instead he wrestled elsewhere. When Sting finally did sign with WWE and made his debut in November of 2015, fans speculated what his future could have been for WrestleMania. Sting himself on multiple occasions said he wanted a match with the Undertaker, but unfortunately, WWE did not pull the trigger that year, and Sting eventually was hurt and forced to retire from in-ring competition forever. This could have been a significant match and one that could have gone down in Wrestlemania history as a highly anticipated match that people have wanted and finally happened.
Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock
The “Heart Break Kid” vs. “The People’s Champ” a match that most fans are surprised WWE never promoted. The build-up to this match would have been must-see television as two iconic and charismatic characters that WWE ever produced went head to head. Shawn Michaels as the cocky and arrogant Heel, along with DX in his corner against The Rock who every week would verbally destroy them. We got a glimpse of what this feud could have been when The Rock faced Triple H and DX, but there is something about Shawn Michaels that fans are attached too. Shawn Michaels was capable of being hated so much by the fans, and with his cocky persona this could have been the Main Event that would be remembered forever, and years to come. With The Rock being a massive movie star and Shawn Michaels stating that he will never wrestle again and he has permanently retired it looks like their paths will never cross again.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan faced The Rock in 2002, and it was an exciting and memorable match which had the fans in the stadium and at home on the edge of their seats. While that match was enjoyable, in the back of many fans minds, they imagined how a match of Stone Cold vs. Hulk Hogan would be instead. This match was a possibility, but for some reason (possibly personal or political reasons) this match did not happen. The image of the two most prominent wrestling stars in the history of wrestling going blow for blow in a sold out, and an ecstatic crowd is one that many dreamed of but did not get. This would have been a must-see match since Hulk Hogan would have worked great as an NWO Heel, which he was at the time while Stone Cold was the hottest wrestler in the world. The crowd would have been roaring before the match even started and would be a smash hit if they did not even touch for five minutes. It would be full up Stone Cold Stunners and Legs Drops and that’s just what the fans would want.
