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The WWE Website is re-running a previous article about Dream Matches that never happened. Here it is below:
#10. CM Punk vs ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage
Why It Is A Dream Match?
‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage was considered one of the most innovative wrestlers of his time. In spite of his large physique, Savage was a gifted high-flyer who relied on a high-paced offence. While this is nothing unusual now, it was thanks to people like Savage that the style did become so popular in the USA. Savage was also known for his flamboyant ring attires, entrance gear. And many of his promos were unforgettable.
One of the younger stars he inspired was CM Punk. Punk occasionally has stars on his ring attire in respect to Savage, and occasionally uses Savage’s finisher. Punk’s style is very different as he relies on wear-down holds and martial arts strikes to beat opponents. But this style has proven to be effective against opponents against high-flying opponents. And Punk is also known for his unforgettable promos.
Why It Never Happened:
When Ted Turner invested in World Championship Wrestling, it gave WCW a much higher budget than the WWE ever had. WCW were able to lure the biggest names in the WWE away with offers of much higher pay. And Savage was one of the people who were tempted to defect from WWE. But Savage was on particularly bad terms with WWE owner Vince McMahon. McMahon was so angry with Savage that he refused to even talk about him for over a decade. When WCW closed down, Savage was unable to return to the WWE due to the bad relationship with McMahon. So this effectively meant that Savage was retired.
Savage had a very short stint in TNA Wrestling at the same time as CM Punk. Savage was one of the biggest names in wrestling, while Punk was half of a lower mid-card tag team. So putting the two in a match made no sense. Punk finally became one of the biggest stars in the WWE during the same month in which Savage died. Essentially, this was not a dream match until after Savage had died.
#9. Cactus Jack vs Dude Love vs Mankind
Why Is It A Dream Match?
Cactus Jack developed a legacy in Japan and ECW as being one of the toughest wrestlers, appearing in some of the world’s most brutal matches. He carried this reputation into WWE. He has also spoken bitterly about Mankind in interviews.
Mankind developed a legacy in the WWE as being one of the toughest wrestlers, appearing in the some of the company’s most brutal matches.
Dude Love had a very short career. While he did have matches against people like Undertaker, Kane and Stone Cold Steve Austin, he did not nearly have the same reputation as Cactus Jack or Mankind did. He was rumoured to have the same toughness and violent streak that the other two had. All three men competed in the 1998 Royal Rumble, but were not in the ring at the same time.
Why It Never Happened:
Cactus Jack, Dude Love and Mick Foley were all the same person. All three characters were portrayed by Mick Foley. This was never actually a secret at any time, so if you did not know this, you have only yourself to blame.
#8. Fabulous Moolah vs Trish Stratus
Why Is It A Dream Match?
Both the Fabulous Moolah and Trish Stratus are considered to be the greatest woman’s wrestler of all time. Trish Stratus won the WWE Women’s Championship 8 times, at one point holding the title for over a year. The Fabulous Moolah once held the title for 27 consecutive years. Moolah’s streak is disputed because she did actually lose the title multiple times during this title reign. But if the title changes were acknowledged, then Moolah is tied for most title wins with Stratus.
Why It Never Happened?
It nearly did. Several times.
Trish Stratus only started learning how to wrestle in 2000, having her first match that year. By this time, Moolah was already 76 years old. Moolah did compete occasionally between 1999 and 2005, but every single one of those matches were awful. Moolah’s advanced aged meant that it was too dangerous for her to receive any offensive manoeuvres. And she had lost the physical ability to perform many simple moves. She was limited to crudely executed snapmares and clotheslines. And due to her legacy, it would have been an insult to have her lose to anyone. Every modern Diva who even challenged her in the 90’s or 00’s took a step back in their careers.
Yes, the WWE had planned to have Moolah and Stratus face off several times during Stratus’ runs as Women’s Champions. But the plan was always dropped due to Moolah’s poor health, and the damage it would do to Stratus’ legitimacy as a champion.
#7. Evolution (Batista, Randy Orton, Ric Flair & Triple H vs Four Horsemen (Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, Ric Flair & Tully Blanchard).
Why Is It A Dream Match:
The Four Horsemen are the single most dominant stable in professional wrestling. No matter who was in the group, the group tried very hard to make sure that they had some of the best in-ring performers in their stable (realistically, Steve McMichael was the only poor wrestler ever inducted into the Four Horsemen). In addition to being talented wrestlers, the group put a high priority on team work. The team leader went after the largest title in the company, and the others did not aspire to outshine him. The designated tag team concentrated on being an unbeatable tag team, and never once thought about their singles careers. One line-up won all three AWA titles in one night.
Every member of Evolution would hold multiple major championships in the WWE, and remained main eventers for years. They lasted for 3 years, which in itself was a major achievement for any stable in the modern era. They rarely lost and dominated the RAW brand in their first three years as a separate brand. Also, they too won all three RAW titles on the same night.
Why It Never Happened:
Because no-one wanted to see it.
Evolution did have a lot of fans, and they still do. But the truth is, they were a blatant copy of the Four Horsemen. Members of the Horsemen had to use their cunning against superior opponents, but could usually pick up clean, hard-fought wins. Members of Evolution had to use outside interference to beat mid-card opponents. If you were in a match against any member of Evolution, you could almost guarantee that you were going to be attacked by at least two other members during the match. And Randy Orton was doing his “Legend Killer†gimmick. No matter how many times you beat Orton in a match, it was a win. But if Orton EVER performed his RKO on you, he “killed your legacyâ€.
When things looked darkest for the Horsemen, they relied on their manager J.J. Dillion to give them an edge. Evolution had Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff constantly kissing up to Triple H. Evolution never faced a credible threat, and no-one got put over. Evolution never reached the same level of credibility that each incarnation of the Four Horsemen had.
But if this match was to happen, it would be riddled with problems. You would have to decide which four stars would represent the Horsemen. To keep this simple, WWE.com used the line-up of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard. Flair was in every incarnation of the Horsemen, but he also founded Evolution. So he would be on both teams. Anderson was forced to retire in 1999, before Batista or Randy Orton debuted, due to a back injury. Windham was already in poor health, which also forced him to retire in 2004. Blanchard retired in 2005, but would not return to the WWE while JBL is there. And with Triple H due to take over the WWE, he would never accept the match outside of the WWE.
#6. Andre the Giant vs Big Show
Why Is It A Dream Match?
Both Andre and Big Show were the biggest men in wrestling in their eras. Both men have rarely ever been in the ring with someone with similar size or weight to them. In the earliest days of his career, Big Show was The Giant, the alleged son of Andre the Giant. Andre also surprised people with his athleticism and technical ability in Japan. Big Show occasionally surprises opponents with athletic and unorthodox offense. And the true toughness of either man has never been demonstrated.
Why It Never Happened:
Andre the Giant died a few years before Big Show was old enough to legally compete.
#10. CM Punk vs ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage
Why It Is A Dream Match?
‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage was considered one of the most innovative wrestlers of his time. In spite of his large physique, Savage was a gifted high-flyer who relied on a high-paced offence. While this is nothing unusual now, it was thanks to people like Savage that the style did become so popular in the USA. Savage was also known for his flamboyant ring attires, entrance gear. And many of his promos were unforgettable.
One of the younger stars he inspired was CM Punk. Punk occasionally has stars on his ring attire in respect to Savage, and occasionally uses Savage’s finisher. Punk’s style is very different as he relies on wear-down holds and martial arts strikes to beat opponents. But this style has proven to be effective against opponents against high-flying opponents. And Punk is also known for his unforgettable promos.
Why It Never Happened:
When Ted Turner invested in World Championship Wrestling, it gave WCW a much higher budget than the WWE ever had. WCW were able to lure the biggest names in the WWE away with offers of much higher pay. And Savage was one of the people who were tempted to defect from WWE. But Savage was on particularly bad terms with WWE owner Vince McMahon. McMahon was so angry with Savage that he refused to even talk about him for over a decade. When WCW closed down, Savage was unable to return to the WWE due to the bad relationship with McMahon. So this effectively meant that Savage was retired.
Savage had a very short stint in TNA Wrestling at the same time as CM Punk. Savage was one of the biggest names in wrestling, while Punk was half of a lower mid-card tag team. So putting the two in a match made no sense. Punk finally became one of the biggest stars in the WWE during the same month in which Savage died. Essentially, this was not a dream match until after Savage had died.
#9. Cactus Jack vs Dude Love vs Mankind
Why Is It A Dream Match?
Cactus Jack developed a legacy in Japan and ECW as being one of the toughest wrestlers, appearing in some of the world’s most brutal matches. He carried this reputation into WWE. He has also spoken bitterly about Mankind in interviews.
Mankind developed a legacy in the WWE as being one of the toughest wrestlers, appearing in the some of the company’s most brutal matches.
Dude Love had a very short career. While he did have matches against people like Undertaker, Kane and Stone Cold Steve Austin, he did not nearly have the same reputation as Cactus Jack or Mankind did. He was rumoured to have the same toughness and violent streak that the other two had. All three men competed in the 1998 Royal Rumble, but were not in the ring at the same time.
Why It Never Happened:
Cactus Jack, Dude Love and Mick Foley were all the same person. All three characters were portrayed by Mick Foley. This was never actually a secret at any time, so if you did not know this, you have only yourself to blame.
#8. Fabulous Moolah vs Trish Stratus
Why Is It A Dream Match?
Both the Fabulous Moolah and Trish Stratus are considered to be the greatest woman’s wrestler of all time. Trish Stratus won the WWE Women’s Championship 8 times, at one point holding the title for over a year. The Fabulous Moolah once held the title for 27 consecutive years. Moolah’s streak is disputed because she did actually lose the title multiple times during this title reign. But if the title changes were acknowledged, then Moolah is tied for most title wins with Stratus.
Why It Never Happened?
It nearly did. Several times.
Trish Stratus only started learning how to wrestle in 2000, having her first match that year. By this time, Moolah was already 76 years old. Moolah did compete occasionally between 1999 and 2005, but every single one of those matches were awful. Moolah’s advanced aged meant that it was too dangerous for her to receive any offensive manoeuvres. And she had lost the physical ability to perform many simple moves. She was limited to crudely executed snapmares and clotheslines. And due to her legacy, it would have been an insult to have her lose to anyone. Every modern Diva who even challenged her in the 90’s or 00’s took a step back in their careers.
Yes, the WWE had planned to have Moolah and Stratus face off several times during Stratus’ runs as Women’s Champions. But the plan was always dropped due to Moolah’s poor health, and the damage it would do to Stratus’ legitimacy as a champion.
#7. Evolution (Batista, Randy Orton, Ric Flair & Triple H vs Four Horsemen (Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, Ric Flair & Tully Blanchard).
Why Is It A Dream Match:
The Four Horsemen are the single most dominant stable in professional wrestling. No matter who was in the group, the group tried very hard to make sure that they had some of the best in-ring performers in their stable (realistically, Steve McMichael was the only poor wrestler ever inducted into the Four Horsemen). In addition to being talented wrestlers, the group put a high priority on team work. The team leader went after the largest title in the company, and the others did not aspire to outshine him. The designated tag team concentrated on being an unbeatable tag team, and never once thought about their singles careers. One line-up won all three AWA titles in one night.
Every member of Evolution would hold multiple major championships in the WWE, and remained main eventers for years. They lasted for 3 years, which in itself was a major achievement for any stable in the modern era. They rarely lost and dominated the RAW brand in their first three years as a separate brand. Also, they too won all three RAW titles on the same night.
Why It Never Happened:
Because no-one wanted to see it.
Evolution did have a lot of fans, and they still do. But the truth is, they were a blatant copy of the Four Horsemen. Members of the Horsemen had to use their cunning against superior opponents, but could usually pick up clean, hard-fought wins. Members of Evolution had to use outside interference to beat mid-card opponents. If you were in a match against any member of Evolution, you could almost guarantee that you were going to be attacked by at least two other members during the match. And Randy Orton was doing his “Legend Killer†gimmick. No matter how many times you beat Orton in a match, it was a win. But if Orton EVER performed his RKO on you, he “killed your legacyâ€.
When things looked darkest for the Horsemen, they relied on their manager J.J. Dillion to give them an edge. Evolution had Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff constantly kissing up to Triple H. Evolution never faced a credible threat, and no-one got put over. Evolution never reached the same level of credibility that each incarnation of the Four Horsemen had.
But if this match was to happen, it would be riddled with problems. You would have to decide which four stars would represent the Horsemen. To keep this simple, WWE.com used the line-up of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard. Flair was in every incarnation of the Horsemen, but he also founded Evolution. So he would be on both teams. Anderson was forced to retire in 1999, before Batista or Randy Orton debuted, due to a back injury. Windham was already in poor health, which also forced him to retire in 2004. Blanchard retired in 2005, but would not return to the WWE while JBL is there. And with Triple H due to take over the WWE, he would never accept the match outside of the WWE.
#6. Andre the Giant vs Big Show
Why Is It A Dream Match?
Both Andre and Big Show were the biggest men in wrestling in their eras. Both men have rarely ever been in the ring with someone with similar size or weight to them. In the earliest days of his career, Big Show was The Giant, the alleged son of Andre the Giant. Andre also surprised people with his athleticism and technical ability in Japan. Big Show occasionally surprises opponents with athletic and unorthodox offense. And the true toughness of either man has never been demonstrated.
Why It Never Happened:
Andre the Giant died a few years before Big Show was old enough to legally compete.
