Five WrestleMania Matches That Should Have Happened

WrestleMania, widely known as "The Grand Daddy of Them All", has been the stage for some of the biggest high-profile matches over the course of its history.  While it has featured many "dream match" scenarios, there have also been several missed opportunities over the years.  Recent discussion has developed in regard to the idea of dream match scenarios, such as the prospect of Austin vs. Punk or Cena vs. The Undertaker sometime down the road.  When thinking about these possibilities, I thought about other matches that "should have" happened, especially those that were very possible at different points in time.  The following is a list of 5 matches that should have happened, both in the business sense, and also for pure spectacle.

Steve Austin vs. Bill Goldberg

In the midst of 1998, Austin and Goldberg were head to head as the biggest modern stars in the wrestling business.  By the time Goldberg finally made his way into the WWE in 2003, the possibility of this match lacked solid footing.  In the case of Austin, he was soon on his way out, and was also not up to par physically.  His role as guest referee of Goldberg's match with Lesnar was the closest interaction he would have.  Apart from poor timing, it has been said that Austin and Goldberg were on uneasy terms with each other, and neither was willing to take the blow and put the other over.

Ric Flair vs. Hulk Hogan

When Ric Flair entered the then WWF with his "big gold belt", this brought tremendous potential in terms of possible matches.  The opponent that seemed most obvious?  Hulk Hogan.  At this point in time in late 1991, Hogan and Flair were widely considered the two biggest names in wrestling.  There was the face of NWA in Ric Flair, and the face of WWF in Hulk Hogan.  For nearly a decade up to this point, both were the main man of their respective organizations.

WrestleMania 8 served as the golden opportunity to capitalize on this match-up, however the WWF opted to go with Flair and Savage instead.  Although this never unfolded at Wrestlemania, the Flair vs. Savage match-up was a solid alternative, and proved to be a classic. While Hogan and Flair would finally meet several years later in WCW, it is a shame that it couldn't happen in a WrestleMania ring, with a grand stage atmosphere.

Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock

The Icon vs. The Great One, The Heartbreak Kid and the Brahma Bull.  No explanation is really needed for this one.  In Michaels, you have one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time, and one of the greatest mic workers ever in The Rock.  Unfortunately, timing was one of the biggest reasons this dream match never went down.  In the years Michaels spent away from wrestling beginning in 1998, The Rock was in the midst of his path to greatness.  By the time Michaels returned in 2002, The Rock was on his way out sooner after, leaving a small window of opportunity for this match-up.  There is little doubt that The Rock and Michaels would put in an instant WrestleMania classic.

The Undertaker vs. Sting

Speculation has regularly popped up in regard to the prospect of Sting "possibly" committing to WWE for a one and done match at WrestleMania.  As each year has passed, the window of opportunity has appeared to pass with it, making it appear very unlikely that we'd ever be able to see this match. Between 'Taker's deteriorating health, and the notion that Sting would likely never set foot in a WWE ring, the possibility of this match has appeared bleak. However, with Sting's recent arrival (finally!) to the WWE, this dream match has gained more footing than ever before.

Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan

This serves as the ultimate dream match-up, featuring the two biggest icons of each of their respective eras.  The old breed meets the new breed, and only at WrestleMania could such a match happen.    In 2002, these two crossed paths in the feud involving the NWO against Austin and The Rock. Word has it that the original plan for WrestleMania 18 was Hogan vs. Austin, however neither could agree on taking the loss.  Instead it was Austin who would face Scott Hall, and The Rock would face Hogan.  Although the atmosphere of The Rock and Hogan was excellent in its own right, it would have been even a little more special with Austin in his place.