10 WrestleMania matches that almost happened

#4 Stone Cold Steve Austin & Scott Steiner vs the NWO - WrestleMania 18

Could have been better, could have been worse

The NWO vs top WWE stars The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin had been dream feuds for fans for years. In 2002, we got our wish, The Rock was given Hulk Hogan for a memorable clash at WrestleMania 18, while Austin was given more of a mid-card style match feel with Scott Hall.

As unhappy as Austin was about all this, it was almost different, probably not different enough to make Austin very happy but it still might have been better. I mentioned earlier that WWE were negotiating with several former top WWE/WCW stars in January 2002, these included the NWO, which signed, Sting, Bret Hart and Scott Steiner.

According to Steiner, apparently, the plan at one point was for him to return to WWE TV in early March to aid The Rock and Austin in the feud with the NWO. Steiner said he never spoke directly to WWE about any of this and it was all handled by his attorney, he claims nothing ever came of this because WWE wouldn't pay him enough.

Steiner would sign with WWE in 2002, but it was much too late for this match and feud as the contract between them wasn't reached until October.