What If? Second Coming of Alternative Outcomes for Events in WWE History

The wait is over. Almost two months ago, I released my new series titles What if?

Basically a slideshow where I try to predict WWE events if they’d went a different direction. From real-life events to storylines or unfortunate mishaps, my series will attempt to follow and explain the numerous events in pro wrestling.

This is primarily a WWE/WCW slideshow but I plan on constructing a TNA version if I can attain stories that interest me enough.

Please remember, it’s all about our memories

That being said, when we relive our memories there comes a time when you ask yourself the question of “What if this took a different turn?”, “What if he would’ve won that match?”, “What if he was still here?”.

I being no exception, the frequency of these questions interrupting my flow of thought am off the charts.

My creativity wouldn’t allow me to pass up sharing my thoughts with my Creatures.

The contents of this slideshow feature matches, angles, and wrestlers. I’ve limited the amount of slides so that I may continue this series.

Be sure to read Vol. 1:   

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/575493-what-if-events-in-pro-wrestling-history-with-alternative-outcomes

WrestleMania 25: What If Shawn Michaels Beat Undertaker?

In Vol.1, this was the most requested.

It’s April 5, 2009 and WrestleMania has been an “ok” event but the match everyone is waiting on is up next.

Shawn Michaels vs. the Undertaker

Unlike Taker's opponents of the past, Shawn Michaels has remained in firm control of the upper hand. Playing Taker-like mind games with the Master himself, Michaels has landed Sweet Chin Music after Sweet Chin Music.

Michaels has used Undertaker's entrance and has mocked Taker's persona by becoming the light to the Undertaker’s darkness.  Shawn is so convincing that most of actually believe he could break Undertaker’s streak at WrestleMania.

Another thing Michaels utilized that others failed, too.

A wrestling match

HBK was determined to win any way possible. Pin fall, count out, disqualification, Michaels was hell-bent on ending the streak. Both men wrestled a five-star match and Michaels even kicked out of the Tombstone Piledriver on a few occasions.

Also becoming the first to do so in WrestleMania history

That’s when we truly believed HBK was the man to end it all. But it was not meant to be. Despite numerous SCM’s, Taker still answered before the count of three.

Michaels then attempted a moonsault but was caught in mid-air and fell victim to another Tombstone Piledriver.

Three seconds later and the Undertaker streak rose to 17-0.

What if HBK ended the Streak?

If Undertaker’s streak would’ve ended, Shawn Michaels could’ve easily called himself the greatest wrestler of all time.

If the streak had ended, Undertaker would’ve undoubtedly considered retirement before the event. This would’ve set off the upbringing of a future star.

Because the Undertaker is a top babyface on Smackdown, he would’ve needed a replacement.

On the other hand, HBK would’ve still been retired now. I believe he would’ve defended his career in a match with Chris Jericho or Triple H.

What If Chris Benoit Lived?

On June 24, 2007, Chris Benoit and his family were found lifeless inside their Georgia home. While I won’t go in detail on the events, Benoit’s brain had gone through severe damage during his career. Benoit is said to have CTE, which often is a result of numerous concussions and head shots.

Benoit was no stranger to concussion and suffered numerous chair shots in his lifetime. One of Benoit’s signature moves, the diving head butt, also transmitted head damage when executed. Days after his death, Benoit was set to wrestle at the Vengeance 2007 event.

In a match to determine the new ECW Champion, Benoit was set to take on CM Punk for the Championship. Former Champion Bobby Lashley had been drafted to RAW, thus he was forced to relinquish the title.

Benoit defeated Elijah Burke in a tournament to go to the finals while CM Punk beat Marcus Cor Von for the other spot.

In Benoit’s absence, the WWE placed Johnny Nitro in his place and Nitro subsequently won the title after an elevated corkscrew neckbreaker.

The strange thing is, in an interview, Paul Heyman stated that he planned for Benoit to win the original ECW title back in 1995 but issues with his work visa prevented it.

What if Chris Benoit lived?

Benoit was booked to become ECW Champion so he would’ve undoubtedly defeated CM Punk that night and begin another World title reign. Johnny Nitro would’ve remained just a member of the ECW roster and may never have become John Morrison.

That’s right, John Morrison almost didn’t happen and like it or not, a lot of things would be different. By now, Benoit may’ve retired and would’ve been inducted into the WWE HOF.

Benoit would’ve probably been considered the greatest wrestler of all time along with the likes of Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels.

CM Punk may’ve never won the ECW Championship and The Miz and Morrison tag team may have been just a myth.

What If Mr. Kennedy Cashed in the MITB?

April 1, 2007. CM Punk is climbing the ladder with no adversaries in sight. This year’s MITB has been something special and the spots will always be remembered by fans of the high flying genre.

CM Punk is inches away from grasping his dreams only to have his face crushed with a ladder.

Punk falls to the mat as Mr. Kennedy makes his way up the ladder.

The big mouth grabs the Money in the Bank briefcase and forever writes his name in WWE history. It's official, WWE has big plans for the charismatic superstar. Kennedy walks around with the briefcase for moments and often leaves the question

When will he cash in?

Mr. Kennedy then proclaimed that he would cash it in at next year's WrestleMania.

That is until he was taunted by the Rated R Superstar. The Ultimate Opportunist angered Kennedy enough for him to put his briefcase on the line in a match with him.

Before the match even started, Edge attacked Kennedy and hit him over the head with a monitor.

Despite refs pleading with Kennedy to pass on the match, Kennedy ignored the ref and asked for the match the start only to immediately lose after a spear. 

In reality, Kennedy had torn his triceps muscle off the bone. Further examination revealed it to be a hematoma.

Kennedy was never able to regain the momentum of the MITB and was released in 2009 after years of injuries and time in the mid card.

What if Mr. Kennedy cashed in his MITB?

When Edge stole Kennedy’s briefcase, he immediately cashed it in on Smackdown on an beaten Undertaker. This set of a feud with Undertaker and Batista and gave Edge numerous reigns as World Heavyweight Champion.

If plans would’ve went forward with Kennedy cashing it at the next Mania, Edge wouldn’t have so many reigns as champion and his countless feuds with Smackdown stars may’ve never occurred. Batista would’ve regained the World title from an injured Undertaker on Smackdown.

Mr. Kennedy would’ve cashed in on whoever the WWE Champion was at WrestleMania 24. Despite it being Orton or Cena, Kennedy would’ve became World Champion and perhaps one of the most charismatic and popular stars of our time.

He’d probably be World Champion today instead of being in TNA.

What If John Morrison Turned Heel and Miz Became a Face

April 13, 2005. The 2009 WWE Draft is in full effect and we’re halfway into the show. ECW’s, Miz is set to take on RAW’s, Kofi Kingston for a draft pick.

Miz is accompanied by longtime partner, John Morrison. During the course of the match, Morrison gets caught interfering and Miz is disqualified.

Visibly upset, Miz’s night takes a turn for the worse when he is announced as the newest member of RAW. The Miz embraces his now former tag team partner before attacking him and leaves Morrison lying via a Reality Check.

Miz becomes a big deal with the passing of each week. He engages in feuds with John Cena and Big Show before being fired after a loss to Cena. He returns the next week dressed as the Calgary Kid in a winner gets a RAW contract versus Eugene.

Miz wins and drops Eugene with his newly adopted finisher, the Skull Crushing Finale.

Meanwhile, John Morrison is drafted to Smackdown as part of the Supplemental draft. He makes his debut defeating R-Truth and turns face the next week after defeating Shelton Benjamin and defending Teddy Long against Chris Jericho.

He engages in feuds with both and gains the upper hand numerous times.

Morrison is involved in great matches with Shelton Benjamin, Chris Jericho, Edge, CM Punk, and Jeff Hardy for the World Championship. His wins over Punk were while he was the World Heavyweight Champion.

Morrison then challenged Rey Mysterio to a match for the Intercontinental title. After a great effort by both, Morrison wins after a Starship Pain.  On RAW, Miz becomes U.S. Champion after defeating Kofi Kingston and then faces his former partner at Bragging Rights.

After a missed Starship Pain, Miz wins the match.

Soon afterwards, Miz forms a tag team with Big Show and becomes overly successful as months pass. Morrison losses his IC Title to McIntyre and drops into obscurity on Smackdown and is later drafted to RAW along with partner R-Truth.

Now Morrison has renewed his push and has become known for his spots at the last four PPVs while Miz has won the MITB and become the WWE Champion. The two have already faced off for the title with Miz gaining the win.

What if Morrison turned heel and Miz became a face?

It would be foolish to think Morrison’s mic skills as a face were even comparable to his as a heel. Morrison’s charisma would be higher than it is today and I believe he would’ve been World Champion on Smackdown had he turned heel.

Maybe even headlining WrestleMania?

The Miz being a face has yet to come to fruition. While Miz is an awesome heel, it’s definitely harder to play face than heel. If Miz was successful at being a face, Cena would have a legitimate challenger to his status as the top face of WWE.

What do you think?

What If Christian Would Have Remained in WWE?

On Oct. 31, 2005, Christian’s contract with WWE expired. Captain Charisma made two more appearances for the company before joining Total Nonstop Action two weeks later. Christian became a huge star in TNA and began his tenure as a face.

Cage quickly became a top contender for the TNA Championship by defeating Monty Brown. Cage then challenged World Champion, Jeff Jarrett, at TNA Against All Odds. Despite dirty tactics by Jarrett, Cage won the NWA Championship from Jarrett.

Cage successfully defended his title against Monty Brown and Abyss numerous times before dropping it in the King of the Mountain match.  Cage participated in a No.1 contender’s match which was won by Sting and Cage further displayed his dismay with the result.

Cage turned heel by costing Sting a World title match against Jarrett and began a feud with longtime friend, Rhino. After numerous matches, Cage arose triumphant over Rhino and rehired his WWE bodyguard, Tyson Tomko.

Cage regained the NWA World title from Abyss and Sting in a triple threat and defended against Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle before dropping to Angle in a triple threat several months later,

Christian engaged in feuds with Chris Harris and Kazarian before losing his undefeated streak to Samoa Joe.

After the betrayal of his Coalition members, Christian turned face and challenged Kurt Angle for the TNA Championship on two occasions. AJ Styles and Tyson Tomko cost Cage both matches. Cage sunk into obscurity until a match for the Legends Championship against Booker T.

The stipulation was that if Christian were to lose he would join the Main Event Mafia. Christian did lose and was to join the MEM before all the members attacked him thus injuring Christian and writing him off of television.

Christian made his return to the WWE in 2009 and remained on ECW. Winning the ECW championship on two occasions and becoming the longest reigning Champion in the title's history.

After the close of the brand, Christian was moved to RAW and then drafted to Smackdown.

He was a mid-carder before tearing his pectoral muscle late last year and has recently returned to action.

What if Christian remained in WWE?

He would’ve been a multiple-time World Champion by now. It’s no secret that Vince McMahon holds a personal vendetta against Captain Charisma because he left for TNA. 

He would’ve feuded with close friend Edge at least twice by now and would’ve gone down as one of the greats.

Don’t get me wrong, Christian can still win the World Championship, but at times it seems unlikely.

Just maybe Vince will give this great talent one run before he retires.