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Throughout its extensive history, WWE has presented several matches that were previously the stuff of dreams.
While some matches don't always live up to expectations, many of the iconic dream matches throughout WWE history have been highly anticipated.
While expectations are always high for these dream matches, there have been some select WWE dream matches that manage to even exceed expectations, thrilling the viewers watching at home and delighting the crowd in attendance.
With any "dream match," expectations are always high. Often the expectations for the match quality can be considered too high due to the age of the performers, the energy of the crowd, injuries, and much more. Therefore, some argue that dream matches should be left to the imaginations of the WWE Universe.
Nevertheless, there are select dream matches that not only live up to the hype but somehow manage to find a way of exceeding it.
With that in mind, let's take a closer look at five WWE dream matches that surpassed expectations.
#5 The Rock vs John Cena (WWE WrestleMania XXVIII)
The Rock and John Cena's epic first-time encounter was billed as "Once in a Lifetime."
The match holds the distinction of being the only WrestleMania main event to be announced one full year in advance. After The Rock cost John Cena the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XXVII, the following night on RAW it was announced that Cena and Rock would square off for the first time at WrestleMania XXVIII.
Considering the extensive promotion and year-long build, the expectations for this highly anticipated dream match were incredibly high.
Nevertheless, once the time came for the bell to ring and the match to be underway both legendary WWE Superstars more than delivered.
The electric atmosphere of The Rock's hometown Miami crowd just added to what was already a historic moment. Finally, The Great One picked up what some considered to be a surprising victory over Cena after hitting the Rock Bottom.
#4 John Cena vs AJ Styles (WWE Money in the Bank 2016)
Previously, WWE fans wondered for years what would happen if AJ Styles, the face of TNA Wrestling, came to WWE and faced off against John Cena.
That hypothetical scenario came true when AJ Styles finally arrived as a WWE Superstar in 2016.
After a series of excellent feuds with Chris Jericho and Roman Reigns, the time finally came for The Phenomenal One to feud with John Cena.
Styles even turned heel and re-formed "The Club" with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson prior to facing Cena at Money in the Bank that year.
The match itself didn't end without controversy. As John Cena was attempting to hit his second Attitude Adjustment on Styles, both Gallows and Anderson got involved.
The Good Brothers hit the Magic Killer on Cena and placed AJ Styles on top of the WWE icon, giving him a shocking victory. The match certainly surpassed expectations. However, Styles and Cena went on to have even better encounters at SummerSlam 2016 and Royal Rumble 2017.
#3 Hulk Hogan vs The Rock (WWE WrestleMania X-8)
Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock at WWE WrestleMania X-8 is considered to be one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history.
When Hollywood Hulk Hogan returned to WWE with the nWo in 2002, many members of the WWE Universe were already plotting the dream matches that The Hulkster could have. One name at the top of that list was The Rock.
The two WWE icons met for the first time ever in a featured match at WrestleMania X-8 and stole the show.
Going into the show, fans were certainly excited for the match but questions about Hogan's ability to perform given his advanced age and injuries were considered.
The match itself was fine. However, the atmosphere, electricity and crowd reaction of the Skydome crowd in Toronto, Ontario, Canada transformed the match into an instant classic.
Despite The Rock being the babyface, the crowd was firmly behind Hogan, cheering every single bit of offense he used. This led to an incredible match, in which The Rock ultimately left victorious.
#2 Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels (WWE WrestleMania 21)
WWE fans often discuss who is the greatest in-ring performer in WWE history. Two names certainly at the top of that list are WWE Hall of Famers Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle.
In 2005, Angle and Michaels were scheduled to face off for the first time ever at WrestleMania 21 in a highly anticipated interpromotional match between Monday Night RAW and SmackDown.
With two of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time facing off for the first time, expectations were certainly high.
Nevertheless, The Olympic Gold Medalist and The Heartbreak Kid managed to surpass any expectations that the WWE Universe had for the match, delivering a WrestleMania classic that is still spoken about to this day.
After a series of dramatic nearfalls, Kurt Angle was left victorious after Shawn Michaels was shockingly forced to tap out to Angle's ankle lock submission hold.
#1 Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior (WWE WrestleMania VI)
WWE WrestleMania VI saw the first ever champion vs. champion main event in WrestleMania history.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan faced off against Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior with both championships on the line.
The two biggest babyface stars in WWE at the time, many members of the WWE Universe considered Hogan vs Warrior to be a dream match come to life.
However, fans smart to the business certainly had their concerns about the match quality of the WrestleMania VI main event due to the in-ring limitations of both iconic WWE Superstars.
Critics were proved wrong as Hogan and Warrior delivered an all-time WrestleMania classic performance that is still discussed to this day.
The Ultimate Warrior shockingly got the victory over Hogan with a big splash, retaining the Intercontinental Championship and winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career.
