6 planned WWE matches that we didn't get to see
WWE has done a great job when it comes to dream matches. Wrestling fans around the world were privileged to witness some all-time classics like Shawn Michaels v/s The Undertaker, Triple H v/s Cactus Jack, and The Rock v/s Stone Cold Steve Austin.
But at the same time, there are many matches that we never got to witness. Be it due to injury, egos, or in more unfortunate circumstances, death, some of the most highly anticipated matches never happened.
The history books will never make mention of these matches except in passing. They will never gain the spotlight over matches that did take place due to the heartache they cause among the wrestling fans caused by missing out on great feuds.
So, without any further ado, here are the top 6 WWE matches that didn't happen as per plan:
#6 Roman Reigns v/s Brock Lesnar - WWE Day 1
I yearn to perform tonight at #WWEDay1 to defend my Universal Championship. However, unfortunately, earlier today I tested positive for COVID-19. Due to the proper protocols I am unable to compete as originally scheduled. I look forward to returning to action as soon as possible.
Following his return at SummerSlam 2021, Brock Lesnar challenged arch rival Roman Reigns for the latter's Universal Championship at the Crown Jewel PPV. Unlike before, fans were quite excited about the two behemoths fighting each other, given the reversal in roles and Heyman's association with the Tribal Chief.
The concluding moments of the match saw both Paul Heyman and The Usos being involved, leading to Roman retaining the title. Following the dirty finish at Crown Jewel, fans were excited to see the two men clash once again at Day 1, WWE's brand new PPV.
BREAKING: @BrockLesnar to challenge for WWE Championship tonight in Fatal 5-Way Match at #WWEDay1 following @WWERomanReigns testing positive for COVID-19.
ms.spr.ly/6016Z58eq https://t.co/WrRFmDSRjR
However, mere hours before the event, Roman Reigns tested positive for COVID-19, which led to WWE scrapping the match. Brock Lesnar went on to fight in the Fatal 5-way match for the WWE Championship at the event, winning the title much to the surprise of fans.
Fans were lucky enough to witness this canceled match in the main event of WrestleMania 38, where both men clashed in a Championship Unification match.
#5 Chris Benoit v/s CM Punk – Vengeance 2007
Even though the WWE’s incarnation of ECW quickly lost steam and turned into a parody of the beloved independent promotion of 1990s, it still gave birth to many memorable superstars, storylines and matches.
One of the top WWE Superstars to make their name in ECW was a man known to the world as CM Punk. Back in 2007, when Punk was emerging as a top tier talent, plans were set in motion for him to take on the veteran fan-favorite, Chris Benoit, in order to increase his stock further.
The two were on course for a classic for the ECW Championship on 24th June 2007 at Vengence – the day when the Benoit Family Tragedy happened. With the incident taking the lives of all the members of the Benoit household, the wrestling world was shocked into mourning.
#4 Eddie Guerrero v/s Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 22
Eddie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels are two of the most gifted in-ring competitors to have ever stepped foot inside the squared circle. They were wrestling icons throughout 1990s before they were hampered by injuries and personal demons. They would both emerge on the other side stronger than ever.
It was this parallel storyline and the wrestling ability of both men, which put them on a collision course for one of the most hotly anticipated WrestleMania matches of all time at WrestleMania 22.
The two were preparing to embark on a long feud when death decided to intervene once again. Eddie Guerrero would pass away in 2005, months before WrestleMania and just before the start of the planned program.
It is a bitter pill to swallow that we were not only robbed of one of the finest professional wrestlers of all time but also a program for the ages which might well have yielded a five-star classic for WWE.
#3 The Undertaker v/s Kurt Angle – WrestleMania 22
From one WrestleMania 22 match we didn't get to see, to another that we didn't get to see on The Grandest Stage of Them All. The Undertaker's legendary Streak was going to end well before Brock Lesnar got his massive paws around it.
When Kurt Angle and The Undertaker were involved in a feud for the ages back in 2006, The Deadman pitched the idea for their final encounter to be at 'Mania so that he could finally have a five-star encounter at The Show of Shows. When Vince McMahon informed him that Angle was to win the feud, 'Taker agreed to put the Olympic Gold Medalist over and end the streak.
Ultimately, though, McMahon got cold feet and put the pair against each other at No Way Out, with 'Mania just around the corner, and the two tore the house down. To preserve The Streak, The Phenom would go on to win against Mark Henry in a Casket Match.
#2 The Rock v/s Stone Cold Steve Austin v/s Triple H – Survivor Series 1999
Name the three most popular wrestlers of the year 1999. Chances are, you thought of The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Triple H. After all, the three men were the most popular wrestlers of not just 1999, but the entire Attitude Era.
One of the hottest matches of this time would have seen the three legends of the business take on each other in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship back at Survivor Series just before the turn of the millennium.
Unfortunately, it was an injury that caused this epic encounter to be canceled. Stone Cold's persistent neck issues – stemming from the botched piledriver he received at the hands of Owen Hart – meant the Texas Rattlesnake had to go under the knife and he was replaced in the match by The Big Show.
#1 Hulk Hogan v/s Ric Flair – WrestleMania VIII
Hulk Hogan was the biggest wrestler in the world in 1980s and early 1990s, while Ric Flair was the second biggest wrestler in the world during this time. When The Nature Boy made the jump over to WWE in 1991, everyone wanted to see the two legends go head-to-head.
With Hogan's natural babyface tendencies and Flair's natural heel persona, it seemed to be a match made in WrestleMania heaven. Unfortunately, the feud never took place in WWE and the reasons are unclear, ranging from poor chemistry during house shows to disagreements over who was going to win the encounter.
The two eventually did battle in WCW, but it wasn't the magic that a match on The Grandest Stage of Them All would have provided.