15 WWE Dream Matches We Will Never See

I hate the word never.

It's so disheartening, so depressing, so final.  This is especially true when it comes to the business of professional wrestling.  As fans, we have heard it all before, and while I understand it's a lot of pressure to keep every possibility open, at this point, you would think that we would know better.

"Hulk Hogan will never turn heel.

"Eric Bischoff will never work for Vince McMahon."

"Bret Hart will never make peace with Shawn Michaels."

So much for never.

Yet, I am still hit with the word many times in comments to columns I write here on Bleacher Report, and everyone sounds as convinced as ever.

"Brodus Clay will never be anything more than a joke gimmick."

"Samoa Joe will never work in WWE."

And, everybody's favorite, "John Cena will never turn heel."

The fact is, it's pro wrestling.  It's one random surprise, one unexpected event, after another.  For the sake of keeping an open mind, and for the sake of exploring every possible avenue open when it comes to the business we all love, you should never say never.

With that, I give you 15 dream matches we will never see.

What can I say?  I buckled to the pressure.

A couple of these matches, sadly, have no chance of happening anyway, as the men involved have passed on. A few likely will not take place due to the age of the wrestlers, while the rest have been deemed "impossible" by so many fans.

But, no matter, as every match on this list is meant to feature the Superstars in their prime.  So, even though some of these could technically happen today, and the workers involved could still put on a great match, that is not how I envisioned this list. 

This is a true dream match list.  And, hey, it's good to dream, right?

Brodus Clay vs. The Godfather

Okay, so this one may not have been a much sought-after dream match talked about for years, like some of the others coming up on this list.

But, since the night Brodus Clay reemerged as the Funkasaurus, fans immediately began comparing him to The Godfather.

Godfather's loud, flashy, flamboyant character made him an instant hit with fans of all ages, and no matter how over the top he was, he was popular every time he stepped through the curtain.

Brodus seemed to channel the big pimp's charisma when he returned smiling, and dancing, on Monday Night Raw.  He brought an element of fun that Godfather had been famous for, thus the instant comparisons from fans.

A match between Brodus, and Godfather in his prime, would no doubt have been a hard hitting, rough and tumble event, as both men brought a bruising style to the ring.  But, considering their gimmicks, and the lighthearted fun surrounding them, the ending is fairly easy to call.

Because, despite who won, I can imagine both men dancing with their gorgeous women, all celebrating in the ring, amidst a huge pop from the crowd.

The APA vs. The Road Warriors

This is one that, to be honest, I have not heard all that much talk about.  So, call it a personal favorite.

Hawk and Animal were the greatest tag team of all time, winning World Championships in every promotion they performed in.  Their style, their image, their delivery, everything about them screamed superstar, so WWE was a perfect fit.  Fans loved the Legion of Doom, and they remain the most popular tag team of all time.

Faarooq and Bradshaw were a punishing tag team, two legitimately tough workers who had a lot in common, and who meshed extremely well as a duo.  Their roughhouse style and gimmick also fit in with WWE, and they quickly became two fan favorites because of it.

These two smash-mouth tag teams meeting head to head would have been a ring war of epic proportions. Both teams were known for working stiff, and for Hawk and Animal, they would likely have loved the opportunity to face two men whose bruising, realistic style, was so similar to their own.

To put it another way, these two teams would have almost certainly have beat the crap out of each other, and loved every minute of it.

Who would have went over in this match?  Who cares?  This one would have had fans talking for years to come.

Brock Lesnar vs. Batista

Hey, Batista, guess who's back on Monday Night RAW?

While the Animal is out there somewhere training for an MMA career that may or may not ever happen, Brock Lesnar has returned to the company that put him on the map, and on top of the professional wrestling world.

And, now's the time for this dream match to take place.

This match actually did take place back in Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE's developmental territory, when Brock was first coming in, and Batista was known as Leviathan.

But, that was then, and this is now.

Yes, this list is based on each man's prime, because that is when we would have been most likely to see them give the best they had for the match.

But, this one may actually be more intriguing now, especially considering the fact that Batista does not have the body mass that he once had, and is more streamlined.  

Lesnar is still big, of course, but he's in fighting shape, not necessarily pro wrestling shape, so his build is geared more toward actual competition, rather than just being big for the sake of looking the part.

This match would be very intense, and hard fought, from start to finish.  The Animal vs. The Next Big Thing.  

A definite must-see dream match.

John Cena vs. Roddy Piper

Back to the "what if" scenario of this list, as we come to a match that is simply not happening. But, there are a couple of reasons why this one stands out for me.

The first one is pretty obvious, and it is the fact that these two had that little confrontation in Piper's Pit, in which Cena was slapped by Hot Rod.  Going into that segment, I for one had not heard much in the way of Piper vs. Cena being a dream match by anyone.

But, after the spot happened, fans realized that John and Roddy had some real chemistry, and likely would have had a great rivalry, if they had been in the same era.

The other reason why this would have been a great match, is that Roddy has already had a version of the contest, with the guy who was, for all intents and purposes, John Cena's forerunner.

Hulk Hogan was the smiling good guy, the hero who could do no wrong, and had the heart of a lion.  He was beyond reproach, a man who feared no one, and always fought against the odds.

And, the one guy standing in the shadows, snickering at that sentiment, was Roddy Piper.

Roddy represented the dark side of Hogan, the cold and cynical side of human nature, and every time Hulk thought he was rid of him, Piper came back time after time to prove that the hero was not always super.

He was human.  And, Piper could make him look that way.

Degeneration X vs. the NWo

One faction made its name by being loud, controversial and doing the unexpected.

The other faction, well, did the same thing.

During the Monday Night War, Degeneration-X had WWE fans eating out of the palm of their hands. Shawn Michaels and Triple H were the backbone of the group, and even with Shawn's break to "find his smile," DX did not miss a beat.

Their buddies were having the same success down south.

Kevin Nash and Scott Hall wreaked havoc as the Outsiders, and with the formation of the nWo, both men cemented their legacies as two rebellious hellions who refused to be censored.

A match between these two groups, in their prime, would have been a main event anywhere in the world.  

It also would have been extremely entertaining, and that's the point.

CM Punk vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin

This is the one that some fans think eventually will happen.

Stone Cold has said that he's done, and that he has no reason to return, that his body cannot take the grind of the business the way it used to.

Doesn't matter.  Fans still want to see the Rattlesnake and the Voice, one on one in the ring.

Both men match up physically, and their gimmicks mesh well together.  

Austin is the antihero, the man who defies authority, and refuses to be told what to do.  For Austin, the ring is where he takes control, and determines his own fate.

Yeah, you could say they mesh pretty well.

Austin's gimmick is essentially the one that Punk runs now.  The major exception being that instead of toasting the fans with a cold beer, Punk instead gives them a knowing smile, and says the things that no one else has the guts to say.  He gives the fans a voice, no doubt about it.

Austin vs. Punk.  I have to be honest, this one does not necessarily have to be reserved for our subconscious pro wrestling dreamworld.  I say, let's make this happen.

If you want to see old Stone Cold come back to take on CM Punk, give me---well, you know the rest.

Chyna vs. Kharma

Whenever a dominating Superstar goes on a tear, he is often compared to a star of a similar style, who came before him.

Except, in the case of Chyna, there was no one to compare.  Until now.

Everything about Kharma screams domination.  She is one of those talents, that, if she's available, you snatch her up as soon as possible.

The same could be said for Chyna, a worker who was so unique when she was brought in by WWE, she was a real attraction for fans who had never seen a female worker with the size and strength that she possessed.

The comparisons between these two are always going to be there, and to see them in a match during their respective primes, would have been an epic event.

Dean Malenko vs. Daniel Bryan

Dean Malenko and Daniel Bryan may be the two most similar workers on this list.

Both men have a very subdued style, preferring to let their actions speak for them in the ring.  

With a steely-eyed intensity and technical move-set that brings the most jaded wrestling fans to their feet in applause, Bryan and Malenko each made a definite impact on the business, and were considered two of the best mat wrestlers to lace up the boots.

A match between these two men, in their prime, is the kind of old-school contest that Jim Crockett Promotions would have booked back in 1985.

Good, old-fashioned wrestling, storytelling without the crazy loud promos or backstage spots.  Just get in the ring and make it happen.  That's what Dean did in his career, and it's what Daniel, minus the over-the-top character celebrations he now employs, does every night in WWE.

This match is the reason lists like this one are made.  Period.

Sting vs. Shawn Michaels

Sting was Mr. WCW.  He represented the best that the company had to offer, he was the face of the organization for many years.  He was their guy, and he was loyal to the very end.

Sound familiar?

The Heartbreak Kid was Mr. WWE, and was also the face of the promotion.  Like Sting, he remained loyal to his fans, and to his company, even while his friends were leaving for the money and easy road of WCW.

Both of these men also have another thing in common.  They were two of the best ever.

Shawn Michaels is considered by many to be the best the business has ever seen, and certainly the best that WWE has ever seen.  His unselfishness in the ring, and willingness to work with the other guy to make him look as good as he could, made Shawn a true professional, and made him earn the respect of fans.

Sting learned from the best in Ric Flair, and applied those skills through the course of his career.  Being the biggest attraction that WCW had for so long was no easy task, but Sting was more than up to it, as night after night, he turned in one fine performance after another.

Just picture the hype surrounding this match, had the eras been right, with Vince McMahon promoting it. 

"Hey, Showstopper...it's showtime!"

Bret Hart vs. Kurt Angle

Technical masterpiece.  That's the outcome of this one, no matter who goes over.

Bret Hart, The Excellence of Execution, versus Kurt Angle, Pro Wrestling's only Olympic Gold Medalist. Two men who had all the fundamentals, all the expertise in the world, and and built their careers around hard work and perseverance to be the best in the business.

Their body types were similar, their athletic ability was comparable, and their styles would have complemented each other very well in the ring.  

Of course, their characters could not have been more different.

Angle, during his babyface runs, was great in the role of the American hero.  Hoisting the flag over his head, as he wore the red, white and blue on his singlet, and the gold medal around his neck, Kurt was Captain America in a wrestling ring.

By contrast, Bret Hart, during his heel run in WWE, was as anti-American as they come.  Carrying the Canadian flag with him, and publicly airing his contempt for the United States whenever he had a mic in his hand, Bret earned his place as one of the most hated Superstars in WWE.

No matter which man played what role, the fact is, this match would have been the highlight of any wrestling card, anywhere in the world.

Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan

This is one of those matches that had the possibility of happening a few different times before, but just never came together.

But, that did not stop fans from talking about it, and debating it, for years.  And, rightfully so.

After all, both Hogan and Stone Cold each helped take WWE to new heights, and both men were responsible for huge growth in two different eras of the company.

Hogan, of course, led the charge, helping Vince McMahon put his newly conceived "wrestling entertainment" promotion on the map, and enjoy crossover success outside the business.

Austin was responsible for the rebirth, bringing WWE back to the forefront of pro wrestling dominance, over rival company WCW.  Austin made even the most casual fan tune in to see what he was going to say, and do, next.

This one is not happening, folks, not now, not ever.  Austin vs. Hogan is truly a dream match, and one that you will just have to enjoy on the XBOX.

And, that's the bottom line, brother.

Andre the Giant vs. The Big Show

Does it get any bigger than this?

The Eighth Wonder of the World, Andre the Giant, vs. the Largest Athlete in the World, the Big Show. 

It's the unstoppable force meeting...forget that, this is Godzilla vs. King Kong.

The two biggest phenoms WWE has ever seen, standing toe to toe in the ring, with a crowd of thousands screaming in anticipation.

What a moment that would have been.

But, let's face it, even in his prime, Andre was not exactly the fastest man in the ring, nor was he that technically sound. 

However, he would not have to be.  Show would likely take the heat for most of this match, and the real drama would be when the two behemoths stood face to face, and began exchanging blows.

Which man would go down first?  Who would gain the upper hand?  Could Big Show knock out Andre, or would Andre simply shake it off and land a heavy right fist of his own?

Sadly, we will never know.

Randy Orton vs. Jake Roberts

The Viper vs. the Snake.

Seriously, how could this get any better?

Since Randy Orton became the stone-faced, cold-blooded heel known as the Viper, he has continuously drawn comparisons to Jake "The Snake" Roberts, in many ways.

Both men had that razor-sharp stare, the gaze of a predator stalking his prey.  But, while Orton is slow and methodical with the mind games, Jake did the same, except he did it with a sinister smile on his face.

And, let's not forget both men's ability in the ring.

This would have been a dramatic match, with one intense moment after another, with the DDT vs. the RKO, and bragging rights hanging in the balance.

After all, how could both of these men exist in the same era, without destroying each other?

Ricky Steamboat vs. Kurt Angle

That's right, I'm back to Angle.  Sue me.

Ricky Steamboat was all about giving everything he had every time he was in the ring.  Perfecting his craft, and working harder than anyone else in the locker room, Steamboat was typically the best wrestler on the roster, despite what company he worked for.

And, you guessed it, this describes Kurt Angle to a T.

Steamboat came from the old school, where telling a story in the ring is what really mattered, giving fans the most for their money, and giving them something to talk about long after the show was over.

His approach, pitted against Angle, whose nonstop intensity causes fans to be sucked into his matches, would have made a great card a perfect card.

Just imagine the business these two men could have done together.

Kurt Angle is a natural in the ring, and Ricky Steamboat made it look so easy.  This match would have been such a pleasure to watch, and one that would have gone down as one of the most classic matches of all time.

Sting vs. The Undertaker

This one's a biggie.

It's the one match that will not die.  Despite the fact that WrestleManias keep coming and going, and the clock is still ticking, fans always gravitate back to this dream match every year when it's time to start planning for WWE's biggest pay-per-view of the year.

Sting has had more than one opportunity to make it happen, to sign the deal, and give fans what they want, but it seems as though it may never happen.

Scratch that.  It's definitely not going to happen.

I know what I said about the word "never," but, let's face it, the time for this match has come and gone.These two men are only getting older, and Sting has made it very clear that he has no desire to do business with Vince McMahon.

But, while many fans try and accept that fact, just think about how cool this match would have been back in the day, when both men were in their prime.

Undertaker, with the long hair, standing in a smoke filled ring, nose to nose with Sting, in the long trenchcoat, no emotion on his face.  Just the theatrics of this feud would have rivaled anything that WWE has ever done.

This, for me, defines what a dream match means in this business.  It's all about what would have looked good, been exciting, and made fans happy in the process.

Hear that, Sting?