WrestleMania stays the flagship present of WWE programming for a motive. The pivotal occasion that sees long-simmering rivalries attain their inevitable conclusion, WWE has featured among the most iconic matches in wrestling historical past at WrestleMania time and time once more.
For each Austin vs. Rock or Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels bout which have headlined WrestleMania up to now, although, there exists numerous different WrestleMania dream matches that just about appeared on the grandest stage of all of them.
1. “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X8)
Maybe the best dream match of all time, followers have spent many years envisioning what a match between “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan might need regarded like.
In 2002, that dream nearly turned a actuality, with WWE planning a tentative match between Austin and Hogan at WrestleMania X8. With each Austin and Hogan refusing to lose to the opposite, nonetheless, WWE determined to pair Hogan with The Rock and had Austin with Hogan’s ally, Scott Corridor, eternally leaving followers to surprise what this epic rivalry might have regarded like.
2. The Undertaker vs. Sting (WrestleMania XXVII)
Just like the aforementioned Austin versus Hogan, The Undertaker versus Sting ranks among the many largest WrestleMania dream matches in wrestling historical past. Whereas followers spent years clamoring to see the Icon share the ring with the Lifeless Man, the long-awaited WrestleMania match between the 2 by no means fairly panned out. The closest it ever got here to occurring concerned WrestleMania XXVII, which noticed Sting closing in on a WWE contract earlier than deciding to return to TNA weeks forward of the pay-per-view.
3. Shawn Michaels vs. Eddie Guerrero (WrestleMania 22)
Yet one more match that lives on in followers’ imaginations, WWE laid out some tough plans for an eventual rivalry between Eddie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 22. Given the same background of each superstars, the following match would have performed off Guerrero and Michaels’ high-flying offense, likable charisma, and their respective triumphs over previous substance abuse points. In a heartbreaking flip of occasions, Guerrero by no means lived to see the match by way of, passing away at 38 years outdated from acute coronary heart failure.
4. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 13)
In line with Bret Hart himself, the unique plan for his rivalry in opposition to Shawn Michaels noticed the Hitman shedding to Michaels at WrestleMania XII, with Michaels returning the favor on the following yr’s WrestleMania 13.
With Michaels refusing to drop the WWF Championship again to his backstage arch-enemy, HBK selected to vacate the title forward of WrestleMania 13, setting off in the hunt for his “misplaced smile” as WrestleMania approached.
5. Triple H vs. CM Punk (WrestleMania XXX)
Whereas CM Punk has since loved a profitable return to WWE, his sudden departure from the corporate in 2013 proved lower than cordial. With Punk sad about his ongoing use in WWE, the ultimate straw for the Second Metropolis Savior got here when WWE booked Punk in a match in opposition to Triple H at WrestleMania XXX.
Upset about lacking out on one more WrestleMania most important occasion, Punk selected to stroll away from WWE reasonably than face the Recreation, ushering in his 10-year absence from the promotion.
6. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (WrestleMania XL)
One of many newer canceled WrestleMania dream matches, WWE spent the higher a part of three months lining up a fateful encounter between CM Punk and Seth Rollins for WrestleMania XL.
Whereas there stays a excessive chance that viewers will at some point see this epic rivalry attain its conclusion, Punk’s damage on the 2024 Royal Rumble axed any prospects for the Straight Edge Famous person and the Visionary going through off on the grandest stage of all of them.
7. Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Aptitude (WrestleMania VIII)
Within the late Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, wrestling followers frothed on the mouth for an opportunity to see prime WWF expertise Hulk Hogan face reigning NWA champion Ric Aptitude. Simply when it appeared like that match may occur upon the Nature Boy’s arrival to WWE in 1991, WWE did not ship.
Whereas the earliest plans concerned Hogan and Aptitude squaring up at WrestleMania VIII, sure extenuating circumstances–corresponding to Hogan’s expiring contract–gave Vince McMahon pause in figuring out the match’s winner. Reasonably than pitting the 2 stars collectively on the present, McMahon selected to pair Aptitude with Randy Savage and Hogan with Sid Justice.
8. Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg (WrestleMania 36)
One of many more unusual WrestleManias in WWE historical past, WrestleMania 36 occurred just a few quick weeks after the COVID-19 epidemic swept throughout the globe. As everybody grappled with the circumstances imposed by mass quarantine, WWE adjusted their plans for the upcoming WrestleMania 36.
Specifically, Roman Reigns–who suffered an elevated threat of great well being issues–requested his elimination from the pay-per-view. Because of this, WWE changed Reigns with Braun Strowman within the WWE Common Championship match in opposition to Invoice Goldberg.
9. “Macho Man” Randy Savage vs. The Honky Tonk Man (WrestleMania IV)
The Eighties professional wrestling business had its fair proportion of backstage politics, with quite a few reigning champions refusing to lose their title for one motive or one other. As WrestleMania IV approached, Intercontinental Championship Honky Tonk Man did simply that, flat-out saying no when WWE pitched Randy Savage as the person to take the belt away from the corporate’s resident Elvis impersonator.
Eager to reap the benefits of the Macho Man’s burgeoning recognition, WWE as a substitute had Savage defeat “The Million Greenback Man” Ted DiBiase for the vacant WWF Championship, permitting Savage to rise to most important occasion standing.
10. Vince McMahon vs. Mick Foley (WrestleMania X-Seven)
Regardless of Mick Foley’s formal retirement in 2000, Vince McMahon hoped to lure Mrs. Foley’s Child Boy again for one closing match at WrestleMania X-Seven. Whereas the build-up to the occasion noticed McMahon hearth after which assault Foley, Foley selected to stay along with his retirement reasonably than compete in opposition to WWE’s Chairman, requiring Vince to forged his son Shane as his opponent at WrestleMania X-Seven.
11. Triple H vs. The Rock (WrestleMania 2000)
Having bested The Large Present to earn a title shot in opposition to WWE Champion Triple H, the preliminary plans for WrestleMania 2000 concerned the Recreation and The Rock going head-to-head to shut out the present. But, within the weeks earlier than the occasion passed off, the sudden surge in Mick Foley’s recognition–in addition to Foley’s want to most important occasion WrestleMania earlier than his retirement–necessitated some last-minute adjustments.
Due to this fact, as a substitute of The Rock and Triple H in a singles match, WWE booked The Rock and Triple H right into a Deadly 4 Approach match with Foley and The Large Present.
12. Sting vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania X8)
When WCW bolted its doorways in 2001, WWE tried onerous to entice franchise participant Sting to hitch their roster. After failing to convey the Icon over as a part of WCW’s doomed Invasion angle, the corporate sweetened the deal by providing the Stinger a 2002 match in opposition to Kurt Angle at WrestleMania X8.
Regardless of their greatest efforts, Sting–citing WWE’s therapy of previous WCW expertise–opted to keep away from the corporate, going through off in opposition to Angle years later in TNA.
13. The Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle (WrestleMania 22)
Whereas Brock Lesnar ended up breaking The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania XXX, WWE had thought-about reserving just a few different potential stars to defeat The Undertaker forward of the Beast Incarnate. The Undertaker, specifically, vyed for Kurt Angle to interrupt the streak at WrestleMania 22, the Lifeless Man feeling he had by no means had a really memorable match on the present to finish all exhibits.
Out of respect for the Lifeless Man, Angle refused, with WWE reserving the lads right into a match at No Approach Out 2006 one month forward of WrestleMania 22.
14. The Rock vs. Sting (WrestleMania 21)
As he continued to forge a profession in Hollywood, The Rock additionally expressed curiosity in returning to the WWE, encouraging higher-ups to ebook him right into a match for WrestleMania 21. Eager to do one thing particular to mark his return, The Rock pitched the thought of bringing Sting in for the occasion, culminating in an epic WCW vs. WWF showdown.
After WWE nixed this concept, The Rock listed Ric Aptitude as his subsequent potential competitor, with WWE toying with the thought of the Nice One going through J.B.L. for the WWE Championship. Because it occurred, as soon as Rock’s official contract with WWE expired, the corporate tossed out any thought of together with the Brahma Bull on the occasion.
15. Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty (WrestleMania VIII)
With Shawn Michaels turning his again on long-time tag crew associate Marty Jannetty initially of 1992, WWE appeared able to have the 2 former Rockers compete in a singles match at WrestleMania VIII. In a problematic flip of occasions, about one week after their break-up, Jannetty turned concerned in an unflattering encounter with the police.
With Jannetty sentenced to 6 months of home arrest, WWE launched the previous Rocker from his contract, releasing Michaels as much as face Tito Santana at WrestleMania.
16. Hulk Hogan vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (WrestleMania I)
Eager to kick off WrestleMania in grand trend, WWE had hoped for Hulk Hogan to face “Rowdy” Roddy Piper in a worthwhile conclusion to the inaugural pay-per-view.
Within the hopes of gaining additional publicity for the occasion–thereby guaranteeing WrestleMania turned a family title–Vince McMahon managed to recruit celeb Mr. T for the bout as a substitute, remodeling the Piper-Hogan match right into a tag crew match between Hogan and Mr. T versus Piper and Paul Orndoff.
17. The Undertaker vs. Drew McIntyre (WrestleMania XXVI)
Whereas Drew McIntyre has risen to renewed heights upon his current tenure in WWE, Vince McMahon expressed nice admiration for the so-called Scottish Psychopath the second McIntyre moved as much as WWE’ most important roster.
As proof of this truth, McMahon went as far as to plan out a match between The Undertaker and McIntyre at WrestleMania XXVI, with the longer term star trying to interrupt ‘Taker’s legendary undefeated streak. As soon as Shawn Michaels introduced his 2010 retirement plans, McMahon shelved the match, permitting HBK to go one-on-one with the Lifeless Man in his closing farewell bout.
18. The Undertaker vs. Wade Barrett (WrestleMania XXVII)
Sure, WWE fumbled the ball with Wade Barrett and the Nexus, killing off any momentum the group had after their disastrous defeat at SummerSlam 2010. But months after the very fact, WWE nonetheless appeared to view Barrett as a possible star within the making, envisioning him as a possible challenger for The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVII.
Regardless of the Nexus costing ‘Taker his world title match in opposition to Kane at Bragging Fights, WWE by no means pushed the match any additional, with The Undertaker occurring to face Triple H at WrestleMania XXVII upon the Recreation’s 2011 return.
19. Triple H vs. Randy Orton (WrestleMania 21)
Breaking away from Evolution midway by way of 2004, Randy Orton appeared poised to turn into the following huge attraction in WWE–the dramatic successor to The Rock, “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin, and Triple H rolled into one. Whereas WWE deliberate for Orton to conclude his prolonged rivalry in opposition to Triple H at WrestleMania 21, the lackluster response to Orton’s transient face flip brought about WWE to reverse course.
With Orton reverting again to a heel to feud with The Undertaker, Triple H ushered in Batista as his WrestleMania 21 opponent, guaranteeing the Animal’s rise to most important occasion standing.
20. The Large Present vs. Shaquille O’Neal (WrestleMania XXVIII)
A match The Large Present had lengthy dreamed of getting, the unique plan for WrestleMania XXVIII concerned the World’s Largest Athlete going face to face with legendary Lakers alumnus, Shaquille O’Neal.
After some noncommital plans on WWE’s half lead a pissed off Shaq to stroll away with the promotion, the closest followers ever bought to this celeb dream match got here on the Andre the Large Memorial Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 32.