Showdowns All Sports Fans Want to See

All games are definitely not created equal.

I don't need to be the person to tell you that, though, right? I mean, while any sporting event is always fun to watch—especially when there's something big at stake—fans naturally want the matchup that will draw the biggest headlines and be the most dramatic.

With rivalries being formed or continuing and superstars on each team, here are the sports showdowns that all fans really want to see.

Golden State Warriors vs. Atlanta Hawks NBA Finals

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OK, so is an NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks the sexy, star-studded affair that hoops fans want? Probably not.

But with both currently sitting atop their respective conferences and proving they play together as a team, it might just be the most intriguing.

It would be the Splash Brothers of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson battling a three-point shooting, all-buy-in roster of the Hawks, whose starting five just earned the January Player of the Month Award after going an insane 17-0.

And thanks to the little teaser we all saw last week between the teams, a matchup between the Warriors and Hawks might be more entertaining than we think—even if it's lacking superstar power.

Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl

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It would be a matchup of two teams who have young, proven quarterbacks in Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson—two players who got to where they were in completely different ways when entering the league together in 2012.

Luck, the No. 1 overall selection that year, has a chance to surpass Peyton Manning's numbers, showing he has the leadership and arm talent to throw it all over the field.

Wilson, the 75th overall selection in 2012, has already played in two Super Bowls, winning one and coming one bad play call away from another. His style is unorthodox, showing resolve to succeed in a league full of giants.

Pitting the two most successful young passers in the league against one another would be something that would show there's two ways to build a team—and put the future of the NFL on full display.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Boston Bruins Eastern Conference Final

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Not only does the Boston Bruins-Montreal Canadiens rivalry have the whole Original Six history going on, but it's also got recent battles in postseason play, with the two squaring off two of the past five years.

And though a playoff matchup between the two teams would "only" be for the chance to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, there would be no blood lost in getting there.

After all, don't forget that Milan Lucic of Boston supposedly threatened to murder Dale Weise of Montreal, per Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star (h/t Jonathan Lehman of the New York Post).

Let's hope that the puck gods make this matchup happen this season.

Chicago Cubs vs. Boston Red Sox World Series

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If only there weren't such instances as Steve Bartman or Aaron "Bleeping" Boone, baseball fans would have enjoyed arguably the most electric World Series in baseball history back in 2003.

While the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox didn't meet 12 years ago—and the Red Sox ended their curse by winning three titles since—the atmosphere between the historic ballclubs would still be insane.

Not only would Cubby fans be celebrating their first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1945, looking to end their 106-year championship drought, but with the hiring of new skipper Joe Maddon, the manager's familiarity with the Red Sox also would be something that, presumably, would be kind to Chicago.

Two historic teams. Two historic ballparks. One incredible World Series.

Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers Super Bowl

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Offense is the name of the game—and the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers are two of the best in the NFL at supplying it.

Thanks to quarterbacks Peyton Manning of Denver and Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay, the teams finished in the top six in the league in both total offense and points per game, no doubt making a Super Bowl matchup between the two something that would leave Vegas oddsmakers salivating at setting a line.

With Manning and Rodgers taking home seven of the past 12 league MVP Awards, Super Sunday would explode into Scoring Sunday, giving viewers a chance to see two future Hall of Famers duke it out.

Sure, we saw these two franchises face one another 17 years ago when John Elway and Brett Favre were at the helm, but this one might be even better if fate has it happen.

Tiger Woods vs. Rory McIlroy Final Round Major

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It's the future meeting the past.

Two of the most polarizing figures in golf over the the past 18-plus years, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have a combined 18 majors between them and represent the best in their respective generations.

Add in McIlroy's choice words about Woods losing his aura and being in the back nine of his career, per Golf.com, and the media would have a frenzy if the players were walking up to an 18th green together, locked into a battle for a major championship.

With Woods trying to maintain his reign toward the top and McIlroy hoping to prove he has the guile to accomplish what Tiger has, let's all hope this happens sometime this year.

Los Angeles Angels vs. Washington Nationals World Series

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Like other potential matchups on this list, the Los Angeles Angels meeting the Washington Nationals in the World Series would be a showcase of two of the best young players in the game—Mike Trout of the Angels and Bryce Harper of Washington.

And there's a realistic chance this could happen in 2015.

With both teams winning their divisions last season and having notable pieces like Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in L.A. and Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer in D.C., fans would see a great offense versus pitching battle, while getting the chance to see what all of the hype has been about surrounding Trout and Harper over the past couple of years.

Real Madrid vs. Chelsea FC Champions League Final

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Real Madrid and Chelsea. This one would certainly be fun, wouldn't it?

With both teams sitting atop their respective leagues this year—La Liga and the English Premier League—why not have them meet in the Champions League Final in May?

Add in the star power of Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale going against Diego Costa and Eden Hazard of Chelsea, and this one would be a classic showdown.

As both teams hold down the two biggest goal differentials in the Champions League standings thus far, seeing Real Madrid go against Chelsea would be a dream come true for those who love the beautiful game.

Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson Rematch

As two of the best fighters in the UFC right now, it's time for a rematch between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson to happen, don't you think?

After Jones defeated arguably the biggest threat to his light heavyweight championship, Daniel Cormier, in January, his next challenge should be to defend his belt against Gustafsson—who took Jones to the brink in a close fight at UFC 165 in 2013 that ended in controversy.

While there are other fights that carry a lot of weight and intrigue involving Jones, an encore between Jones-Gustafsson would give the UFC a chance to promote a new rivalry for fans to follow.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings Western Conference Final

Winners of four of the past five Stanley Cup titles, there's always a hell of a lot at stake anytime the Chicago Blackhawks meet the Los Angeles Kings.

Sure, because they play in the same conference, a postseason showdown wouldn't be for anything that would end with Lord Stanley's Cup, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be epic—again.

With the Kings defeating the Hawks in last year's Western Conference Final in seven games, Chicago would have redemption on its mind, hoping it can keep the trend going of each franchise trading championships every year.

Both teams have underperformed this season, but with each showing that it doesn't matter what seed they have if given the opportunity to reach the playoffs, these two would renew a heated rivalry that's great for hockey.

New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers World Series

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For so many reasons, a New York Yankees-Los Angeles Dodgers World Series would blow up Major League Baseball, giving fans a Fall Classic with two of the most prolific franchises in the sport.

In addition to the two teams holding down the top two spots in highest payroll heading into the 2015 season, there's the whole dynamic of the Dodgers coming from Brooklyn back before the 1958 season, as well as L.A.'s manager, Don Mattingly, being a longtime Yankee who retired prior to New York's dynasty beginning in 1996.

Playing in the two biggest media markets in the country and on separate coasts, there would be no lack of intrigue if these teams met in October.

Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots Super Bowl Rematch

Yeah, so we literally just saw what a Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots looks like—and it was pretty damn amazing.

For that reason, why not hope these two teams keep their core guys together and make a serious run at meeting again in Super Bowl 50, letting fans relive all of the drama this year's rendition of the big game gave us.

Whether you're a Pats fan hoping for a repeat or a Seahawks fan seeking revenge, there are even more storylines that would make a rematch between these two incredible—especially with a few New England players mocking Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch during their championship parade.

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils Men's Hoops

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Two universities who sit No. 1 and No. 4 in all-time wins for D-I men's basketball, the Kentucky Wildcats and Duke Blue Devils have shown to be the most prestigious programs in college hoops—both over time and right now.

Already one of the best rivalries in college basketball thanks to a certain game back in 1992, the schools measure success on one thing: national championships.

With head coaches John Calipari of UK and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke being paid like CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, the two leaders act as ambassadors for their schools, bringing in the top talent each season, with the two finishing No. 1 and 2 in team rankings for this season.

March Madness is already an exhilarating event. But imagine what a national title game between the Wildcats and Blue Devils would bring to the tournament this year—especially if Kentucky is still undefeated at that point.

Future first-round draft picks and incredible history would be something every basketball fan would cherish the chance to see.

LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant NBA Finals

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With the Los Angeles Lakers struggling this season and Kobe Bryant out for the year with a shoulder injury, the chance to see him play against LeBron James in the NBA Finals is impossible, but I still hold hope that we can see it at some point.

Years ago, when both the Lakers and James' Cleveland Cavaliers were toward the top of their conferences, this was a real possibility.

Unfortunately, as the landscape has changed and Bryant continues to battle Father Time, two of the best players of the past 20 years look like they'll never get the chance to play for the Larry O'Brien Trophy against one another.

Here's to hoping something miraculous happens and hoops fans get this treat before Bryant hangs it up, because it would be one for the ages.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Fight

Could 2015 finally be the year sports fans get treated to the most anticipated fight since Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield? Hopefully.

After the recent exchange between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. at a Miami Heat game, we should all be hoping the two fighters find a way to make this thing happen, as it would showcase two of the all-time greats.

With a monster payout provided to both guys and an event that hopefully lives up to the hype, Mayweather-Pacquiao is something every sports fan should want to pay $59 to see on pay-per-Vvew—because it could be historic.