6 AEW vs WWE dream matches that you didn't know happened

AEW is not even a year old, but several of the performers within the promotion have been on the pro wrestling circuit for a while. The wrestling industry has seen the rise of several smaller promotions outside of WWE. AEW is a large beneficiary of that, but organizations like House of Glory, Beyond Wrestling, the now-defunct Defiant Wrestling and others allowed these talented performers to showcase their skills to the world.

Other companies like MLW, NJPW, Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling also proved to be places where former WWE Superstars like Cody Rhodes were able to revitalize their careers. Without organizations like these, Cody would not have been to resurrect his career nor would there ever be an AEW.

Now, that there is an actual Wednesday Night War, wrestling fans love to pit stars from WWE and AEW against one another in dream matches one never thought possible. Due to the sheer amount of these smaller and localized professional wrestling organizations, many people may not realize that some of these matches have already happened.

Here are 6 AEW vs WWE dream matches that wrestling fans didn't know about.

#6 Private Party vs The Hardy Boyz

Believe it or not, one of the best teams on the rise in AEW, Private Party, took on one of the best tag teams of all time, The Hardy Boyz, at a House of Glory show over 2 years ago. It shows that Private Party mastered their craft at HOG and have been lucky to have fantastic teams like The Hardy Boyz as their opponents.

It also should be accounted that this version of The Hardy Boyz was from the Broken Universe with Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero in all their glory. The match itself was entertaining as both teams 'partied' before the match even got underway. While Jeff Hardy certainly can get down, it's safe to say that Matt Hardy is ....limited, when it comes to dancing.

The match had plenty of high spots, near falls, reversals and even saw Private Party perform their version of Jeff Hardy's Swanton Bomb. In the end, the veterans took the victory, but Private Party surely learned so much and the knowledge gained is definitely on display in AEW.

#5 Britt Baker vs Shayna Baszler

One of AEW's top female stars, Britt Baker, appeared in NXT and the Mae Young Classic. While those appearances didn't amount to anything within WWE, she surely did learn from the experience. It's not hard to see why she is being billed to be one of the best women in AEW. While she may not be holding the Women's World Championship, it's only a matter of time before it happens.

Shayna Baszler is primed to be one of the top female stars in WWE and could possibly overtake Becky Lynch in terms of fan popularity. She's a legitimately tough figher with an MMA background and spent a couple of years on the independent circuit before ending up in NXT.

The NXT match between the women was excellent in establishing Baszler as a legitimate threat to other women in the division. Their match on an Absolute Intense Wrestling show is more interesting, as Baker was able to be competitive. The finish of the match is interesting as Baszler reverses Britt's finisher into a crossface and wins via submission.

As Baszler continues her dominance in the NXT women's division, it won't be long before Baker does the same in AEW.

#4 MJF vs Matt Riddle

The man who is quite possibly the best heel in professional wrestling today is MJF. Many fans believe that he is truly one of the best in the business. It's even more impressive that at the young age of 23, he already understands his character better than a lot of other wrestlers at the same age and older, even those with more experience in the ring.

There is no question about his in-ring ability and that he knows how to draw heat from the crowd. His promos are very strong and he lives the gimmick outside the ring. MJF's technique harkens back to an earlier era where wrestlers went all the way in staying in character outside the ring.

Squaring off with Matt Riddle may seem to be an improbable pairing, but it does show what MJF can do with gifted athletes. Riddle is unquestionably one of the best in-ring wrestlers in NXT right now and his UFC background makes his rough and tough in-ring style even more legit.

Their match for Beyond Wrestling is impressive as it establishes MJF as the proper heel who will do anything to win. It makes sense that he uses the ropes to beat Riddle. It's true... Matt Riddle has lost to MJF. To quote MJF, "I'm better than you and you know it."

#3 Joey Janela vs Lio Rush

Joey Janela has over 14 years of experience in the professional wrestling industry. He definitely has his share of both critics and supporters. Some have dismissed him as a glorified stuntman while others have commended him for making a brand for himself with his yearly WrestleMania weekend "Spring Break" shows.

The veteran has worked with several talented individuals over the years in places like Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), Major League Wrestling (MLW), Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), CHIKARA, Beyond Wrestling, and Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). He has competed against the likes of current AEW roster member Jimmy Havoc as well as Rich Swann, Marty Scurll, and many others. Another wrestler that he encountered was Lio Rush.

Indeed, the current WWE NXT Cruiserweight Champion was involved in a series of matches with The Bad Boy in CZW. Lio's matches with Janela not only showcases Rush's talents, but also proves that Janela can wrestle as well. Joey may not be the most athletic wrestler in the world, but he definitely knows how to connect with the audience.

Lio Rush defeated Janela for CZW Wired Championship and the shock finish is impressive. Moreover, their skills are on display and the results are now showing based on the spots they have secured in their current respective companies.

#2 The Young Bucks vs The Dudley Boyz

The Young Bucks have more in common with The Hardy Boyz than the Hardyz' longtime nemeses the Dudleyz and competed against them on several occasions. Many people may not be aware that they also took on the likes of Team 3D, aka The Dudley Boyz. They fought on a couple of occasions, most notably for 2CW (Squared Circle Wrestling).

The teams met each other for the first time a few years ago and it was quite significant in a lot of ways. Not only were The Young Bucks taking one of the greatest tag teams of all time, D-Von Dudley and Bubba Ray Dudley made it a point to put them over. It's striking that Bubba Ray made comments after the match where he predicted that The Young Bucks were the future. He said,

"20 years ago, a tag team broke on the scene, breaking all the rules, doing whatever the hell they want to do. I think you know who that team was. Fast forward 20 years later and I'll tell you right now. I don't blow smoke up people's a**es! THIS (pointing to Young Bucks) is the tag team of the future."

In a way, Bubba Ray was predicting AEW and he didn't even know it.

#1 Cody vs Matt Riddle

It's no coincidence that Matt Riddle is showing up again on this list. The man is a beast in the ring and because of his MMA background, he is able to do things that few others can do successfully. Moreover, his amateur wrestling background from High School shows through in his wrestling, and his overall athletic ability is breathtaking. It wouldn't be too far fetched to say that he has more in common with Bret Hart than most realize.

When this match for Defiant Wrestling took place, Cody Rhodes was slowly morphing into his American Nightmare character. While that version has yet arrived in AEW, it seems to be more on display in this match. It should also be noted that the pair did have a match at a House of Glory event in 2016, but this match was the better of the two.

While there is one bonkers spot where toes and fingers lock up illogically, the overall presentation of the match is exquisite with near falls, submissions, moonsaults, etc. The match was ruined at the end by The Prestige faction, but it does make wrestling fans wonder what would happen if the two were to ever lock up again. In the wrestling business, never say never.

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