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WrestleMania is the biggest show for WWE, and probably the entire pro wrestling industry, in a calendar year. Throughout the 36-year-long history of the show, WWE Universe has witnessed several iconic moments, rivalries, and matches that have immortalized the Show of Shows in many ways.
In what is considered the 'Grandest Stage Of Them All', every WWE Superstar or aspiring pro wrestler dreams to compete at WrestleMania once in his/her life. WrestleMania has been the host to some of the most historic rivalries and matches in WWE history. But interestingly, there were also many matches that were planned for the Show of Shows but WWE had to cancel them for various reasons.
In this article, let's take a look at five huge WrestleMania matches that were canceled. Be sure to comment down and let us know which one of these would you have loved to see the most.
#5 AJ Styles vs Shawn Michaels - WrestleMania 33
The Phenomenal One AJ Styles vs the Heart Break Kid Shawn Michaels is one of the biggest dream matches for the WWE Universe. And why not, both of them are considered to be the best wrestlers in the world. Ever since Styles made his WWE debut at the 2016 Royal Rumble, fans have been making fantasy scenarios for the two of them to clash against each other.
Interestingly, WWE did plan to have this match at WrestleMania 33. During an interview with Sports Illustrated, AJ Styles mentioned that he would love to wrestle with Mr. WrestleMania.
“I would love the opportunity to wrestle him. I’d love to learn from him, but who’s to say if that’s going to happen. Right now, it’s all speculation and rumors that I’m finding out like everyone else is, but man, what a match that would be.”
Shawn Michaels later revealed on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast that WWE indeed approached him for the match, but he declined.
"I guess I'm breaking something with you and I don't even know if I should, but I could have had that match. They didn't have an opponent for AJ at WrestleMania. I said that I hadn't been asked because I hadn't—but then I was. ... I said, 'I wish that young man was here 10 years ago, man. I honestly do. I think he's very talented.'"
AJ Styles would go on to face Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 33. Shawn Michaels, who originally retired in 2010 after his infamous WrestleMania match against The Undertaker, surprisingly came back for one more match at WWE Crown Jewel in 2018. Only if he had come back for the match against the Phenomenal One!
#4 The Undertaker vs Drew McIntyre - WrestleMania 26
WrestleMania 36 saw the crowning of Drew McIntyre as the new WWE Champion as he defeated the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar for the title in the main event of Night 2 of WrestleMania 36.
During an interview with WWE on BT Sport, the Scottish Psychopath made a massive revelation that there were plans for him to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26. Unfortunately, that never happened and McIntyre admits that he wasn't ready for that as well.
“When I was 24 I was told by Vince McMahon, ‘you don’t listen to anybody but the Undertaker, he’s going to be your mentor and whenever you’ve got a question you go straight to him’. And the inevitable goal was to have a big match between him and I. Unfortunately I wasn’t ready at the time, things worked out the way they worked out, and I believe it led to, instead of myself and Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Undertaker, the retirement match. It was obviously a phenomenal match and I could not have delivered on that level at the time.”
Almost ten years later, Drew McIntyre and The Undertaker did square off in a WWE ring, although in a tag team match involving Shane McMahon and Roman Reigns as well, at WWE Extreme Rules 2019. With the Phenom seemingly announcing his retirement, we might never see these two clash at WrestleMania. But... never say never!
#3 CM Punk vs Triple H - WrestleMania 30
CM Punk's departure from WWE in 2014 was one of the biggest moments that had a huge impact on the business. Even several years after Punk's departure, it was common to see WWE Universe break out into "CM Punk" chants, especially in Chicago. If there's one thing that Punk desired so much, it was a WrestleMania main event - something he sadly never got during his WWE career.
Punk made his last WWE in-ring appearance at the 2014 Royal Rumble and was feuding with the authority. As per the reports, there were plans for him to take on Triple H at that year's WrestleMania 30. The report also suggested that it would have led to another "Summer of Punk" storyline with a possible match for the former WWE Champion against Batista at SummerSlam that year.
For what it’s worth, it’s said that Triple H vs. CM Punk for WrestleMania XXX is a lock. Plans are to do another “Summer of Punk” style program, possibly leading to Punk vs. Batista at SummerSlam.
Well, that never happened as CM Punk left the company. Triple H instead ended up facing Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 30, in what is considered to be one of the best opening matches in WrestleMania history. As for CM Punk, he returned to WWE in some capacity in 2019 as a special contributor for WWE Backstage on FS1.
#2 The Big Show vs Shaquille O'Neil - WrestleMania 33
Vince McMahon loves to have celebrities compete in a WWE ring to get more mainstream spotlight on his product. In fact, it was this idea of having celebrities and cross-over stars that led to the huge success of the first WrestleMania. The WWE Chairman always looks at WrestleMania as a big extravaganza rather than just another pro-wrestling PPV.
One match that WWE officials have always wanted to have is The Big Show vs Shaquille O'Neil. The World's Largest Athlete has been famous for such celebrity matches at WrestleMania, having competed against Akebono at WrestleMania 21 in a Sumo match and against Floyd Mayweather at WrestleMania 24.
The NBA legend Shaquille O'Neil entered the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32 where he had a confrontation with the Big Show. This led to WWE proposing a match to him against Show at WrestleMania 33, which he initially accepted. But the match never took place due to scheduling issues and both parties not coming to terms.
Shaquille O'Neil had the following to say about the planned WrestleMania 33 match.
"They kept playing," Shaq said ... "First, they said it was me and Big Show. Then, they said it was going to be 3-on-3. Then, they canceled it so when they canceled it, I made other arrangements."
"I just said, ‘I’m not going to do it.’ They messed it up."
The Big Show ended up competing in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33, which was eventually won by Mojo Rawley.
#1 John Cena vs Jinder Mahal - WrestleMania 34
Jinder Mahal's WWE title victory in 2017 was a huge moment for the WWE Superstar as he became the first wrestler of Indian descent to win the WWE Championship. While there was a lot of heat from several WWE fans about the company's decision to put the title on the Modern Day Maharaja, Mahal was doing what any heel was supposed to do. At one point, there were rumors that he'll hold on to the title till WrestleMania 34 where he'll defend his title against John Cena.
Now, why am I including this match in the "huge WrestleMania match" category? Of course, any match with John Cena has to be huge, but this match would have certainly led to the Leader of Cenation winning his 17th World title, breaking the record of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, with whom he currently ties at 16 World Championships.
Jinder Mahal even took to Twitter to challenge John Cena for a match at WrestleMania 34.
"I fully intend on being WWE Champion, come Wrestlemania, and even after Wrestlemania. So, John Cena, this is an official challenge to you."
But plans changed as Jinder Mahal dropped the WWE title to AJ Styles before Survivor Series. He went on to win the United States Championship in a fatal four-way at WrestleMania 34. As for John Cena, he faced The Undertaker at WrestleMania that year, in a match where he got squashed by a returning Deadman in less than three minutes.
