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We speculate about matches between current wrestling stars and past legends. And yes, this time we included AJ Styles vs. HBK!
When it comes to sports of all varieties, fans love to endlessly speculate about matching up past and present athletes.
Would Michael Jordan really be able to trounce King James LeBron? Could Khris Davis hit a home run when Nolan Ryan was pitching? And just who would win if the 1982 Cardinals played against the 2011 team?
It goes on and on. But while many sports fans can rely upon statistics and averages and a great deal of data to back up their claims, it's both more complicated and more fun to speculate about pro wrestling fantasy matches.
When two wrestlers face off, they are creating live performance art with an athletic edge. Many of our legendary stars are either deceased or past their wrestling days, but fans yearn to know just what would happen if they faced off with the stars of today.
Without further ado, here are five fantasy dream matches, including the much requested HBK vs. AJ Styles bout.
Big Van Vader vs. Brock Lesnar
There have been myriad comparisons made between these two men. While their gimmicks are not the same their reputation and tough guy status certainly is. What would happen if the two were to clash?
The Match: Brock Lesnar's music hits the PA, and he stalks to the ring with a confident Paul Heyman in tow. The crowd is divided, with some booing the Beast and others applauding. Then the lights dim low, and amid a pyrotechnic burst Vader appears in his full regalia, mask spitting gouts of steam twenty feet in the air. The Beast seems unrattled by Vader's intimidating appearance, but Paul Heyman tugs at his collar nervously. He offers some advice to Brock as Vader makes his way to the ring. Brock nods, but never takes his eyes off the big behemoth.
Vader removes his mask and climbs into the ring. Instantly he walks to the center and stands chest to chest with Lesnar. Both men stare at each other for a long moment, eschewing the opening bell as they continue the battle of wills. Eventually Vader starts jawing, and stabs a finger in Lesnar's chest. Lesnar laughs it off, but then rears back and drives his fist into Vader's jaw.
Vader is beaten back to the ropes, and Lesnar attempts to clothesline him right over. But after three hard smacks of flesh on bone, Vader remains standing in the ring. Vader shoves Lesnar back, and now the Beast Incarnate is the one driven back on his heels. Vader attempts the clothesline spot on Lesnar, but again the intended victim remains in the ring.
The two men brawl, rolling down the ropes until they reach the corner. Lesnar is now in dangerous territory, because Vader is famous for delivering beat downs when his opponent is backed into the turnbuckle. The chinks in Lesnar's armor begin to show as the repeated heavy blows from Vader drive him down until he's sitting in the turnbuckle.
Vader drags him out by an arm and a leg until he's a few feet from the corner. Ascending to the middle rope, Vader drops a massive Vader bomb right across Lesnar's chest. As the referee begins to count, Paul Heyman is slapping the apron and imploring Lesnar to recover. One...two...Lesnar kicks out long before the three count.
Big Van Vader drags Lesnar to his feet by the hair and attempts a belly to back suplex, but Lesnar powers out of his grip. The Beast drives a pair of elbows into Vader's jaw to stun him, then utilizes his MMA training to pound the bigger man until he's wobbly on his feet. Lesnar scoops up Vader and delivers a tremendous bodyslam that has the crowd on their feet. The referee counts one....two...Vader kicks out at two and a half.
The Beast straddles Vader's back and uses a rear naked choke. Vader fights to remain conscious, but it slowly fading. The referee lifts Vader's arm, and it drops limply to the side. Again Vader's arm is lifted, and again it falls. But when the referee raises Vader's arm for the third time, it remains in the air. The crowd gets behind Vader, clapping in unison as he unbelievably gets to his feet. Lesnar stubbornly refuses to release the sleeper hold, but Vader lifts him off his feet and charges backward into the corner. Smashed between the hard turnbuckle and a four hundred fifty pound man, Lesnar relinquishes the hold and slumps in the corner.
Vader runs to the opposite corner, appeals to the crowd with a roar, and then charges in for an avalanche. Lesnar dodges at the last moment and Vader only succeeds in hurting himself. While he clutches his belly in pain, Lesnar steps behind him and locks arms about his waist. The fans call out for Suplex City, and they are not disappointed. Lesnar lifts Vader for a brutal German suplex, then hangs on for another. But Vader is a very large man, and Lesnar can only manage one more German before he must release his opponent.
Heyman frantically calls for the F5. Obligingly, Lesnar struggles to lift the bigger man to his shoulders while the crowd roars. He hefts Vader up into the arena lights, but the big man drives and elbow into Lesnar's face, then does it again. After several more blows Lesnar drops Vader, who lands on his feet with catlike grace. A quick kick to Lesnar's stomach stuns the ex MMA champion, and Vader sets up for the powerbomb. The ringposts shake with the impact as Lesnar is driven to the mat by Vader's full strength. Exhausted, the big man collapses across Lesnar's body. The referee counts one...two...three!
Winner: Big Van Vader
Analysis: Lensar is a true beast, but he comes up a little short against the legendary Big Van Vader. Vader's greater size and unparalleled toughness allowed him to weather Lesnar's early offense and come back for the victory.
Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. Drew McIntyre
Who can stay they truly stand for the people of Scotland? Will the Rowdy one be able to overcome his much larger, stronger opponent, or will Drew McIntyre rack up another impressive win?
The Match: Drew's music hits and he slowly walks to the ring, his face a grimace of determination and barely contained rage. He sneers at fans who give him the thumbs down at ringside, their cacophony of boos seemingly leaving him unaffected.
The trademark bagpipes begin, and the crowd roars in approval as Rowdy Roddy Piper enters the arena. He pauses, hands on his hips, and soaks in the crowd's reaction for a moment before making his way to the ring. Piper is jawing the whole way, jabbing a finger toward McIntyre as he reaches the ring steps. Roddy takes a moment to address the camera, saying "he thinks he has all the answers, but I just changed the questions!"
Drew stretches, acting completely unimpressed by Piper. While Drew has his back turned, Roddy charges in with a pre-bell sneak attack and begins pounding him in the back and shoulders. The hapless referee can do nothing but call for the bell. Piper beats Drew down to the mat, and while the larger Scotsman tries to shelter under the ring rope the Rowdy one punishes him with stiff boots all over his head and chest.
The referee manages to pull Roddy off of Drew, and the big man rolls outside the ring. He holds his head, a pained but angry expression on his face as Piper argues with the referee. Piper spots Drew and goes to the ropes, holding them open for his opponent in a mockery of kindness.
Drew shakes his head and begins walking toward the back. The referee begins a ten count, but Piper rolls out of the ring and charges after drew. He clotheslines Drew across the back of the shoulders, making the big man stumble, then takes him in a headlock and drags him back to ringside. Piper tosses Drew into the ring and slides in himself. However, Drew was less stunned than he appeared. He quickly gets to his feet and puts the boots to the vulnerable Piper while the Rowdy One is still halfway out of the ring.
The referee implores Drew to back off, and begins a five count as McIntyre switches from kicks to using the bottom rope to choke Piper. Drew backs off at four and a half, narrowly avoiding a disqualification as the crowd drowns him in a chorus of boos.
Now Drew McIntyre takes complete control of the match. He lifts Piper for a fireman's carry gutbuster, leaving Roddy writhing in pain. A lazy cover provides only a two count. Drew argues with the ref a bit about a slow count while he drags Piper to his feet. Drew Irish whips Piper into the ropes and connects with the Claymore Kick. Piper is wiped out by the move and lies motionless on the mat.
Instead of going for the pin, Drew spends some time taunting the booing fans and extolling his own virtues of greatness. Still distracted by the fans, he again utilizes only a lazy lateral press. One...two...Piper kicks out at two and three quarters, the ref's hand barely an inch from the mat.
McIntyre is incensed. He argues with the referee vehemently, kicking the bottom rope and throwing a fit about another perceived slow count. Piper rolls to his belly and struggles to rise to his feet, showing signs of life for the first time since taking the gutbuster. Drew stalks Piper as he regains his feet, and attempts to put on the Iron Maiden crossface submission hold. Unfortunately, this puts him in a vulnerable position for the wily Piper. Roddy drives his leg backward up between Drew's knees, hitting a low blow out of sight of the referee.
As Drew drops to the mat holding his injured parts, Piper goes nuts, swinging his arms, cursing and mussing up his own hair. His eyes have a crazed, glazed over look as he drags Drew to his feet. Piper ignores the referee who asks whether he used an illegal move and begins pounding Drew with repeated punches. After the fifth hit, Piper winds up as if for a tremendous punch, but then pokes Drew right in the eyes.
As the referee protests Piper's illegal eye gouge, Piper lifts up Drew for an inverted atomic drop, causing more damage to his already injured crotch. While Drew doubles over in pain, Piper locks in a sleeper hold. Drew fights to stay conscious, but his movements become slow and sluggish. His eyes glaze over and close, and Piper lowers him to the mat. The referee checks Drew's arm, lifting it into the air. It falls once, twice....and a third time. Calling for the bell, the referee implores Piper to let go of the hold, which he does after a few extra seconds before soaking in the cheers from the crowd.
Winner: Rowdy Roddy Piper
Analysis: Drew McIntyre is big, powerful, and quick, but his inexperience and Piper's wily rule breaking lead to his defeat at the hands of a much smaller man.
Eddie Guerrero Vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas
It's the well-rounded Eddie Guerrero taking on the high flying elitist Andrade Almas in this hard hitting, fast paced matchup featuring two of the biggest stars in Mexican wrestling history.
The Match: The opening guitar strains of Andrade Almas's theme music hit the PA system, and he makes his way out into the open with Zelina Vega. Vega applauds with a smug, disdainful expression on her pretty face while Almas poses for the crowd. They make their way to the ring and spend some time going over strategy.
Then Eddie's theme song hits, and the crowd roars with approval. Beaming a wide smile, Eddie comes out to tremendous applause, shaking his hips and appealing to his many fans. He slaps hands with fans on the way to the ring, and takes time to pose with a fan who hand drew his likeness on a giant piece of poster board.
Andrade shakes his head in disgust at the way Eddie panders to the fans at ringside as Eddie takes a long time to get in the ring. The referee calls for the bell, and the two men stand a few feet apart facing each other. Eddie offers a handshake, a big smile on his face, but Almas slaps the hand away. He points a finger in Eddie's chest and trash talks him. Eddie never stops smiling, but he turns to wink at the crowd before slapping Andrade right across the face. Incensed, Almas charges after Eddie, who takes shelter in the ropes. The referee impedes Almas, not allowing him to attack Eddie because he's in the ropes. Eddie waves merrily at Almas, smiling widely.
Andrade is finally backed away by the referee, and Eddie comes fully back into the ring. The two men lock up and Andrade puts Eddie in an arm bar. Guerrero struggles in Almas's grip as the referee asks if he wants to give up. Eddie quickly someraults, flips onto his side, and comes up to his feet, reversing the pressure and arm dragging Almas to the mat. He holds Almas in an arm bar of his own as Zelina Vega pounds the mat angrily at ringside.
Almas gets to his feet and backs Eddie into the ropes. The referee calls for the break, which Eddie gives cleanly, but Almas takes advantage and strikes Guerrero when he is looking at the referee. While the ref gives Almas a hard time about the sneaky blow, he attacks Eddie with punches and kicks, eventually backing him across the ring. Almas irish whips Eddie and goes for a clothesline, but Eddie ducks under it. Almas goes for another clotheline, but Eddie reverses it into a swinging DDT.
The crowd cheers wildly as Eddie goes for the pinfall. One...two...Almas kicks out early at two. Eddie drags Almas over near the edge of the ring and heads outside the ropes to stand on the apron. He delivers his rolling shoulder attack to Almas to a big pop from the crowd. Eddie covers Almas, but again fails to get a three count.
Eddie irish whips Almas into the ropes. This time it's Almas's turn to duck a clothesline. Almas dashes across the ring, springs off the middle rope, and catches Eddie with a picture perfect springboard moonsault. Both men crash to the mat but Almas gets to one knee and confers with Vega while Eddie writhes in pain.
Almas drives a few knees into Eddie's sternum before ascending to the top rope. He dives off with a moonsault but Eddie rolls out of the way. Almas lands amazingly on his feet, then pitches into a standing moonsault and hits Eddie with it. The referee counts one...two...Eddie kicks out at two and a half.
Frustrated, Almas picks up Eddie by the hair, angrily shouting at the fans to shut up as they chant Eddie's name in a singsong fashion. Almas sets Eddie up and delivers his inverted facelock backbreaker, instantly following it up with a spinning elbow drop. The ref counts, but again Eddie kicks out at two.
Almas climbs outside of the ring and stands on the apron as Eddie struggles to his feet. Andrade springs off the top rope and attempts to his a dragonrana, but Eddie counters with a stiff powerbomb. Both men fall to the mat, and the crowd goes wild. They chant Eddie's name, imploring him to rise and do battle once more.
The two combatants struggle to their feet and trade punches. Eddie gets the better of the exchange and backs Almas into a corner. Eddie runs across the ring for momentum, but when he bounces off the ropes Zelina Vega grabs his leg. Eddie collapses face first on the mat, allowing Andrade time to roll out of the ring to safety.
Eddie stands up in a rage while the referee begins the ten count, his focus entirely on Andrade. Guerrero rolls out of the ring and confronts Vega. The fiery Latina doesn't back up an inch until Eddie snatches a folding chair. Vega puts her hands up defensively, only for Eddie to slam the chair on the floor and then toss it gently into her waiting grip. He then falls to the arena floor and holds his head as if in pain.
The referee hears the chair shot and turns around to find Eddie writhing on the floor and Vega holding the chair. He rolls out of the ring and confronts Vega, his back to Eddie. While an enraged and frustrated Vega claims innocence, Eddie rises up enough to tauntingly wave at the Latina manager. When Vega points out Eddie's miraculous recovery, the ref turns around only to find Guerrero playing possum again. The angry referee forces Vega to leave ringside and return to the locker room.
Andrade, however, takes advantage of the distraction. As Eddie climbs to his feet, Andrade runs across the ring and spins into a corkscrew plancha. He crashes into Eddie and the two men end up gasping for air on the arena floor.
The referee begins counting out both men. Almas recovers at six and rolls into the ring, but Eddie is still stunned. As the crowd grows louder and louder, he struggles to his feet and slides into the ring just before the referee counts ten.
Almas, feeling cocky, jaws at Eddie as he lifts him by the hair to his feet. He lifts Guerrero to his shoulders and prepares for a rolling fireman's carry slam to set up his split legged corkscrew senton finisher. Eddie manages to slip out of his grip and pushes Almas chest first into the turnbuckle. Almas turns around, holding his chest, and Guerrero doubles him over with a swift kick to the midsection. Eddie hooks in a front face lock and then lifts Almas into a vertical suplex. Holding on, Eddie does the Three Amigos, driving Almas harder with each consecutive suplex.
Eddie climbs to the turnbuckle and shakes his hips Latino Heat style. Then he dives off the ropes with a tremendous frog splash, flattening Almas beneath his body. The referee counts one...two...three!
Winner: Eddie Guerrero
Analysis: Both men were evenly matched in both athleticism and technical ability, but Eddie's clever elimination of Zelina Vega leads to victory.
AJ Styles vs. Shawn Michaels
It's the Phenomenal one vs. the Heart Break Kid, Sweet Chin Music vs. the Styles Clash, New Generation vs. the Era of AJ. Who will come out on top?
The Match: AJ Styles's music hits, and the fans jump to their feets. He stands, hooded, arms thrust out to the sides, then throws the hood back to tremendous applause. AJ gets into the ring and holds his hands so the AJ on his gloves line up for the camera.
Then Sexy Boy starts up, and the fans grow even more rabid. Shawn Michaels dances out and hits his famous kneeling pose. Pyros wash over the arena behind him as the announcer gives the introduction. Styles respectfully gets out of the ring while Michaels finishes his entrance, whipping off his rhinestone studded mantle.
AJ and HBK stand before each other in the ring. They both glance around at the capacity crowd, who are alternating between Let's go AJ and Let's go Michaels chants. Most of the fans are chanting for both athletes. Smiling, AJ offers a handshake, which HBK accepts to the crowd's massive approval.
The bell rings, and both men lock up in a collar and elbow tie up. AJ Styles gains the advantage and puts HBK in a headlock. Michaels utilizes an irish whip to both escape and send AJ into the ropes. HBK goes for a clothesline but AJ ducks under. AJ comes back with his own clothesline but HBK dodges that. Both men hit the ropes and come crashing into each other. Both men hit a clothesline, and both end up flat on their backs.
Then AJ and HBK simultaneously hit kip ups and wind up facing off again. Grudging respect shows on their no-nonsense expressions as the crowd cheers fanatically. HBK starts jawing with AJ, jabbing a finger in his chest. AJ slaps the finger aside and begins his own trash talk. The talk escalates and soon both men are trading punches.
AJ gets the better of the exchange. He drives Michaels into the corner and then climbs to the middle rope. As the crowd counts, AJ hammers HBK with repeated punches to the head. When he is almost to ten, HBK counters with an inverted atomic drop. HBK goes for the Sweet Chin Music but the canny AJ spots it and drops to the mat, eyes wide with the knowledge that he very nearly just lost the match.
Again the two titans lock up. Aj goes behind HBK and puts him in a rear waistlock, but HBK reverses the position and hits a belly to back suplex. Michaels does some strutting while AJ writhes about on the mat holding his head.
Michaels picks up AJ by the hair and pushes him into the corner. HBK gets up on the middle rope, appeals to the fans, and then rolls back with a monkey flip tome nage. AJ manages to flip completely over and land on his feet, however, spoiling the move. Michaels climbs back to his feet just in time to take the Pele kick from AJ.
AJ climbs outside the ring and stands on the apron. The fans go wild, knowing he's about to attempt his signature phenomenal forearm. AJ springs like a cat to the top rope and leaps off, but Michaels catches him with a Sweet Chin Music out of nowhere.
Both men fall to the mat. Michaels crawls over on top of AJ, but is too weary to manage more than a simple lateral press pin attempt. One...two...AJ kicks out at two and a half. Michaels hides his face in his hands in frustration and makes an appeal to the heavens. He drags AJ to his feet and locks in a rear chin lock.
While HBK wrenches on AJ's neck, the ref asks Styles if he wants to give up. AJ refuses, and the crowd claps in unison to encourage him to fight on. AJ slowly gets to his feet while Michaels struggles to maintain control. AJ frees himself with several elbows to the midsection before hitting the ropes and taking down HBK with a flying dropkick.
AJ goes for the pin. One...two...HBK kicks out at two and a half. AJ attempts to pick Michaels up, but HBK reverses it into an inside cradle. One...two..AJ kicks out at two and a half. They get to their feet at the same time but AJ is a little quicker to recover. He catches Michaels in a victory roll and pins his shoulders to the mat. One...two...HBK kicks out. HBK dives around AJ's back and rolls him in a schoolboy pin. One...two...AJ kicks out at the last possible moment.
Both men hit the ropes and attempt flying body presses, their bodies colliding mid air and crashing to the mat in a heap. As the ref counts both men down, they struggle to regain their footing and continue the match.
HBK makes it to his feet by eight and heads to the corner. He stomps his foot, signalling for the Sweet Chin Music while AJ struggles to his feet. Michaels goes for the superkick, but AJ catches his foot. He spins Michaels around to face away from him and catches him in a dragon suplex. Michaels is folded over backward, his legs hanging limply, as the referee counts. One...two...HBK kicks out at 2.9999 seconds.
Both athletes slowly regain their feet, covered in sweat and gasping for air. While still on their knees they start trading punches. The slugfest continues as they rise until both men have abandoned all technical wrestling and are just brawling in the ring. The referee tries to separate them, but right then HBK goes for a Sweet Chin Music. The referee gets caught by the move and crumples to the mat.
AJ takes advantage of the momentary distraction while HBK checks on the fallen referee. Styles leaps to the top rope and hits a moonsault into a reverse DDT. Quickly, he drags Michaels back to his feet and signals for the Styles Clash. HBK is driven hard into the mat and AJ rolls him over for the pin.
The referee has not fully recovered, however. As the crowd counts, AJ pins HBK but the referee is very slow to make the count. He rolls miserably over and slaps his hand to the mat. One...................two.............HBK kicks out after what was about seven seconds.
Frustrated, AJ picks up HBK for another Styles Clash, but Michaels reverses it into a back drop. He picks up AJ and hits a backbreaker before ascending to the top rope. HBK dives off with his trademark flying elbow drop, smashing into AJ's sternum. The ref counts one...two...AJ kicks out at the last possible moment.
Now HBk feels frustrated. He hauls AJ to his feet but Styles breaks free and blasts HBK with a mighty punch. The two trade blows back and forth, the crowd getting louder with each shot. AJ delivers a combination of punches and kicks to HBK, stunning him and taking a momentary advantage. AJ goes for another pele, but HBK dances aside, becoming one of the few men to dodge the attack. AJ flips over and kips up to his feet, but he's caught by Sweet Chin Music. HBK practically collapses on top of AJ's prone form. The ref counts one...two...three!
The winner: Shawn Michaels.
Analysis: In a seesaw match that could have gone either way, HBK wins because of a combination of luck and the fact that his finisher is quicker to deploy than AJ's.
There you have it: Four fantasy match ups that fans would have loved to see. What are your favorite fantasy match ups? Please comment and let us know, and thanks for reading!
