5 dream matches that will probably never happen in WWE

Dream matches are just what the term implies: they're match-ups that garner immense interest in the WWE Universe. They often involve popular stars from the past, present, and future battling it out in the ring.

Some dream matches come a little too soon, while others a little too late. Roman Reigns versus John Cena at No Mercy 2017 was a solid dream match that WWE gave away at a minor pay-per-view, while The Undertaker versus Goldberg at Super Show-Down 2019 was a decade late.

However, dream matches do not always deliver, and fans end up being disappointed. Shinsuke Nakamura versus AJ Styles at WrestleMania 34 was one of the most hyped dream encounters of all time, but failed to live up to the sky-high expectations.

Yet history has taught us to never say never. In WWE for instance, the main event of WrestleMania 37 is a prime example. Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, and Edge locked horns in a thrilling encounter for the Universal Championship. All three men went through pain and turmoil, despite many believing that their careers were over not so long ago.

But, barring miracles and a few exceptions, there are many dream matches that may never come to fruition. Here are five of them.

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#5 Drew McInytre versus Samoa Joe

Drew McIntyre and Samoa Joe never clashed in a singles match

In a shocking development, Samoa Joe was released from his WWE contract soon after WrestleMania 37. A veteran and respected individual, Joe's WWE run had left a lot to be desired. Many dream matches were thrown away when he was released. A potential showdown with former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre was at the top of the list.

The Scottish Warrior and the Samoan Submission Machine are outstanding, dedicated performers who lay it all on the line in the sqaured circle. They've crossed paths in multiple Royal Rumble matches. McIntyre even eliminated Joe in a Traditional 5-on-5 Elimination Tag Team match at Survivor Series 2018. However, a one-on-one match between the two heavyweights never happened.

With Joe gone from WWE, the chances are even slimmer. Moreover, Joe's career is winding down and he is nearing retirement. Hence, Drew McIntyre versus Samoa Joe is probably not happening, not in a WWE ring.

#4 The Fiend versus The Undertaker

Undertaker and Bray Wyatt collided at WrestleMania 31 in 2015

The Phenom and The Fiend are two mystical and awe-inspiring characters. When The Undertaker or The Fiend stand across the ring, their opponents tremble with fear, horrified at the damage and torment either monster could inflict. It would have been intriguing to see how these two would interact in the same ring.

However, the odds of such a potential encounter are low. For starters, Taker has no intention of returning to the ring anytime soon, and WWE should not force him out of retirement again. Plus, after the grand send-off at last year's Survivor Series, there is no need for him to re-emerge from the darkness. He also seemingly retired the Deadman character at Survivor Series.

Even if an encounter happened between the two monsters, it would be an underwhelming match. Taker cannot compete at an elite level, and The Fiend, as incredible as he is, cannot single-handedly carry the Phenom to a good match.

Wyatt and The Undertaker are no strangers to each other. They had a long feud in 2015, and the Phenom emerged as the winner. However, The Fiend was not born then, and many WWE superstars have learned the hard way that Bray Wyatt and The Fiend are two different entities.

Barring a minor miracle, The Fiend versus The Phenom is probably not happening in WWE.

#3 AJ Styles versus Shawn Michaels

One of the biggest WWE dream matches that never happened

The Phenomenal One and The HeartBreak Kid are two sides of the same coin. Loved by the WWE Universe; the similarities between them are endless. AJ Styles is a substitute for many WWE fans for Shawn Michaels as the former appeared six years after the latter retired.

Even though Michaels and Styles are no longer spring chicken, they could easily produce an instant classic that would shatter the rating system. HBK was one of the best in the ring, and Styles can have a great match with a broomstick. Together, they could create magic in the ring.

However, HBK is retired, and Styles is at the tail-end of his career. Michaels briefly came out of retirement in November 2018 at WWE Crown Jewel to team up with Triple H against The Brothers of Destruction. Then he stepped out of the spotlight soon after. WWE hasn't brought him back yet again, but it has happened in the past, and there is no reason to believe that the pattern repeats.

AJ Styles started his WWE career after HBK formally announced his retirement. Fans would love to see two of the best in-ring performers in their respective generations battle. It might happen, but one shouldn't get their hopes up too high, especially considering Michaels had rejected a match against Styles.

#2 Kurt Angle versus Daniel Bryan

They both fought as general managers

When WWE fans think of technicians, Daniel Bryan and Kurt Angle are two names that definitely pop out. Angle and Bryan each hold a thousand submission moves in their arsenal. Bryan's Yes Lock and Angle's Ankle Lock are two of the most painful finishers in WWE history.

As painful as it is to admit, Daniel Bryan versus Kurt Angle is a dream match that will most likely not become a reality. Angle rode off into the sunset at WrestleMania 35, when he had his final match against Baron Corbin. The Yes Man, on the other hand, has a weary future ahead. His contract recently expired and he hasn't re-signed. Additionally, he doesn't have much gas left in the tank.

Five years, or even three years ago, this match would have been a real possibility. But Angle has stayed away from WWE post-retirement and doesn't seem in a hurry to return. As for Bryan, even if he re-signs, he would want to work a lighter schedule, which makes this match highly unlikely.

#1 Bobby Lashley versus Batista

Bobby Lashley faced Batista on SmackDown in 2006.

WWE recently posted a picture of Batista and Bobby Lashley on their official website. Lashley and Batista are good friends outside the ring, and the current WWE Champion offered the future Hall of Famer a title shot if he ever returned to a WWE ring. However, as thrilling as it would be to witness these two behemoths battle, it's also extremely unlikely.

Most fans would have forgotten, but The Almighty and The Animal collided on an episode of SmackDown in 2006. It wasn't a dream encounter back then, but it certainly is now. Batista had become a main-stay on the main-event scene, Lashley was still a star in the making. Over the course of the next decade, Lashley and Batista became huge stars, both inside and outside WWE.

Batista made a name for himself in the film industry while Lashley dominated the competition in wrestling promotions outside of WWE. Batista's successful Hollywood career and age prevented him from returning to the squared circle. The Animal returned for a feud with Triple H that culminated in a match at WrestleMania 35.

The Animal quietly retired from in-ring competition and hasn't been seen in WWE since. Meanwhile, Lashley found success in his second WWE run, winning the WWE Championship.

It's nice to see both powerhouses find success, but they will definitely will never meet in a WWE ring.