5 major WWE dream matches that got cancelled

WWE is undoubtedly the biggest wrestling company in the world. Having been such for an overwhelming majority of the past four decades, most of the industry's biggest names have stepped foot in a WWE ring. As a result, the company has booked countless dream matches.

Whether between two rising stars on similar upward trajectories, a rematch of a classic match outside WWE, or simply a clash between WWE's two biggest icons, fans have been treated to some monumental matches. Several dream matches have delivered spectacularly, as well.

However, not every dream match that WWE has planned was able to happen. While some of them did happen under different circumstances, the setting was perfect for each of the following WWE dream matches to achieve legendary status. Unfortunately, various factors led to each of them being canceled.

WWE and its fans have been robbed of some fantastic spectacles in the past. Here are five major WWE dream matches that got canceled.

---

#5 Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch (WWE Survivor Series 2018)

The build to this match was so hot.

The only match on this list that was officially announced, Ronda Rousey's big Champion vs. Champion clash with Becky Lynch at Survivor Series 2018 had quite the heated build. Both Superstars cut vicious promos on each other, with Lynch's stock rising every week following her big push as the SmackDown Women's Champion.

The feud quickly became personal and escalated further when The Man led an invasion of RAW, by SmackDown, to make a huge statement heading into Survivor Series. Lynch attacked Rousey and looked like a million bucks while doing so, but she suffered a broken nose at the hands of Nia Jax.

As a result, this highly anticipated dream match was canceled and WWE put Charlotte Flair in the match against Rousey. While her big moment was taken away for her, Becky Lynch would only grow as a megastar in WWE. The image of her swaggering up the stands with a bloodied nose has become iconic.

The Man rode this wave of momentum and won the Royal Rumble Match, enabling her to challenge Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania 35. However, Charlotte and the SmackDown Women's Title were added to the mix, meaning we are yet to see a one-on-one grudge match between Lynch and Rousey.

#4 Two WWE Legends, Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair (WWF WrestleMania 8)

This would've been the biggest WrestleMania match possible.

When Ric Flair joined WWE in late-1991, it seemed like the company was gearing towards one of the biggest wrestling matches of all time at WrestleMania 8. Flair was a WCW legend, to challenge the WWF Champion, Hulk Hogan. A match between the pair would have been perfect for WrestleMania.

The seeds for this match were planted when Flair helped The Undertaker to win the WWF Championship from Hogan at Survivor Series 1991 before the title was declared vacant soon later. The Nature Boy ended up with the WWF Title, after winning the 1992 Royal Rumble Match.

However, WWE changed their plans for WrestleMania 8 seemingly after Hogan stated his intentions of leaving the company after the show. The match also did not do well on the live event circuit, which may have played a part in WWE nixing this big match.

WrestleMania 8 ended up having a double-header of headline matches, with Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Justice as the main event. Ric Flair defended his WWF Championship against 'Macho Man' Randy Savage earlier on. While it was a great match, Flair vs. Hogan would have been a much larger deal.

#3 Shawn Michaels vs. Eddie Guerrero (WWE WrestleMania 22)

It's a shame this never had the chance to transpire.

Arguably two of the greatest all-round wrestlers ever, Shawn Michaels and Eddie Guerrero may have faced each other at WrestleMania 22. There were many parallels between their WWE careers, with two amazing redemption stories set to cross paths at 'Mania. However, Eddie sadly passed away a few months before the big event.

Shortly before his death, Bruce Prichard had pitched the idea of this dream match taking place at WrestleMania in 2006. Vince McMahon was very receptive to the match according to former WWE writer, Court Bauer.

Michaels and Guerrero would have likely taken the spot of the annual 'show-stealer' at WrestleMania before the latter's untimely death forced WWE to change their plans for HBK at the 'Grandest Stage of Them All'. The 2-time WWE Hall of Famer ended up wrestling Vince McMahon in a Street Fight at WrestleMania 22.

It's a crying shame that this potential classic never happened on the big stage. Eddie Guerrero's legacy would have undoubtedly been even stronger than it already is, had this match taken place at some point.

#2 John Cena vs. The Undertaker (WWE WrestleMania 32)

A spectacle worthy of 100,000 fans in attendance.

WWE's plans for WrestleMania 32 were epic, with several major matches being planned for the supershow. It was set to take place at AT&T Stadium in front of over 100,000 fans. However, injuries to big stars like Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, and Sting ruined a lot of the proposed matches for the 'Show of Shows'.

The biggest one was John Cena vs. The Undertaker, a battle between the two biggest stars of their generation. As a match, it would have been fine. Cena was in his prime as an in-ring competitor, while Undertaker was still in decent shape. But as a spectacle, it would have been untouchable as a WrestleMania moment.

This match would have ensured that 'Mania 32 would be worthy of over 100,000 live fans, but Cena suffered a shoulder injury at the start of 2016. It would take him almost six months to recover, meaning the much-anticipated dream match with 'Taker was off. Cena did appear at WrestleMania, alongside The Rock, in a limited capacity.

Undertaker wrestled Shane McMahon inside Hell in a Cell at the event, an underwhelming alternative to his dream match with John Cena. This match did happen two years later, at WrestleMania 34, but it wasn't confirmed by WWE until moments before the bell rang and lasted about three minutes.

WrestleMania 32 would have been the perfect place for Cena and The Undertaker to finally wrestle each other, as the biggest names in modern WWE history.

#1 Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock (WWE WrestleMania 30)

Brock vs. Rock would have been the ultimate 'box office' match.

One of the biggest one-off matches in WWE history, Brock Lesnar and The Rock are yet to face each other since their SummerSlam main event in 2002. WWE made plans to set up a match between the two part-time megastars for WrestleMania 30, with the angle possibly beginning a year in advance.

However, The Rock suffered a torn abductor and an abdominal muscle injury during the main event of WrestleMania 29 against John Cena. As a result, he missed the post-'Mania episode of RAW, which would have featured the first signs of the rematch between the Great One and the Beast Incarnate.

After his injury caused some inconvenience in filming schedules, The Rock's agents and insurers advised him not to wrestle again. This forced WWE to cancel this monumental match, with Lesnar's new opponent being The Undertaker. What happened in that match was more monumental than Rock vs. Brock II could have ever been.

That being said, WrestleMania 30 was the most likely place WWE could have booked a rematch between Lesnar and The Rock. The latter even confirmed that it was in the works before he had to be ruled out.

It's a shame this match did not happen, as Brock Lesnar and The Rock would have had an electric encounter at the Superdome. The ship seems to have sailed for this match, as The Rock has not wrestled properly since that match with Cena in 2013. Even if he does come back, it will likely be for a program against Roman Reigns.