WrestleMania Dream Card

Location: AT&T Stadium (Dallas Texas)
Attendance: 105,000

As we plan for a WrestleMania that is expected to break the Attendance record of 93,173 from the Pontiac Silverdome from WrestleMania III, I decided to brainstorm my fantasy WrestleMania. This is simply a dream show, one that would be the Fantasy Card of every fan's dreams. I came up with my own dream matches that I believe would be enough to draw the maximum amount of fans to the State of the Art, Cowboys Stadium. WrestleMania is always a spectacle, and these matches are worthy of drawing such an enormous number. Without further ado, here is my WrestleMania Dream Card. Enjoy!

World Tag Team Titles:
LOD (Champion) vs. Dudley Boyz
What A Rush!!! This is the battle of the two greatest tag teams of all-time. Both have won tag titles in multiple organizations. This will be a brawl to the end. In the end, Road Warriors power and athleticism will prevail, with a Doomsday Device.

US Championship Match:
Mr. Perfect vs. Eddie Guerrero (Champion)
This match will also tell a great story, between two great second generation stars. The pace would be similar to matches with Guerrero-Jericho, Guerrero-Angle, Perfect-Hart, etc. Perfect, and Eddie were both great ring technicians. Perfect has the strength advantage while Eddie has the speed advantage. The match would be a chain of suplexes, much like Bret vs. Angle. However, Eddie will find a way to outsmart Perfect, and finish off with a Frog Splash.

Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match:
Chris Jericho vs Ricky Steamboat (Champion)
Even though they faced each other in a handicap match at WM XXV, it was not a legit fantasy matchup. In this case, both Jericho and Steamboat will be in their primes. Y2J was influenced by The Dragon, along with Shawn Michaels. His style as Intercontinental Champion included their styles. With that said, the stakes will be raised even higher with a Ladder involved. Any match between these two will be a masterpiece, but the ladder will intensify it even more on the Grandest Stage of them All. Both legends will set a new standard for Ladder Matches, and reach levels of HBK-Razor, and Jericho-Benoit. The Dragon will give him a run, but Jericho's experience with Ladders will prevail. Y2J wins with a Walls of Jericho on the Ladder to regain the title.


Edge (w/Lita) vs. Macho Man Randy Savage (w/Ms. Elizabeth):
WrestleMania is known for larger than life entrances, as Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth deliver in grand fashion. Savage comes to the ring wearing a blue and silver robe as a tribute to the Dallas Cowboys. As he makes his entrance, a live band plays his music. Savage's ring attire would be Cowboys colors as well, with silver trunks and blue stars just like Dallas. Liz wears a crystal blue dress as she accompanies the Macho Man to the ring, while the pyro goes off. After the spectacle is over, this match will be about pure intensity. Edge and Savage are known for delivering intense, aggressive styles. Macho Man showed how much of a "savage" he could really be when he smashed Steamboat's throat. He also displayed that in a highly intense feud with Diamond Dallas Page, as they won "Feud of the Year" in 1997. Edge also showed how aggressive he could be not only in his TLC Matches, but especially in his feuds with John Cena and The Undertaker. This match could play the same scenarios like Savage vs. DDP. Macho Man will have Miss Elizabeth by his side of course. Meanwhile, Edge will have Lita in his corner. However, the difference between this match from the story with DDP is that the psychology and storytelling will be stronger. This might sound far-fetched by some, but Edge's storytelling was enough to provide a great dynamic for someone like Macho Man. That says a lot, considering the chemistry that Savage had with Dallas. Edge is built like DDP anyway, but with more to offer athletically. The high points of the match would come when Savage uses his quickness advantage to avoid Edge's Spear. Macho Man goes for the roll up, but Edge kicks out at two. As Savage climbs to the top rope for the Double Axe Handle, Lita grabs his leg to distract him. Liz shows her aggressive side by knocking Lita to the floor. As Macho performs the Axe Handle, Edge connects with the Spear. Edge goes for the pin, but Macho kicks out at two. Edge is caught in disbelief and goes into rage mode as he goes to the corner for another Spear to finish him off. As Edge is ready to take off, Liz grabs his ankle. Meanwhile, the ref doesn't see what happened, as he just sees Edge yelling at Liz. While the referee's attention is diverted, Macho Man pulls out a set of brass knuckles. Edge sees Macho Man's back turned, as he takes advantage with a belly to back suplex. As Savage is in mid-air, he hits Edge with the foreign object just like he did to Tito Santana to win the IC Title. As a result, Savage falls on him for the pin. Edge kicks out at two. Macho Man points his finger in the air to signal for the Flying Elbow. Savage climbs the top rope to finish off his opponent as he flies through the air with the Elbow Drop for the 1,2,3!!!


John Cena vs. Sting (Crow)
A battle of two of the quintessential franchise heroes of their generation. Sting and John Cena share many similarities. Both in their prime have great physiques and embody the prototype image of a pro wrestler. Both men have been known for their undying loyalty and dedication to the sport when others have left either to pursue other things or from injuries that have lead to a premature retirement. Sting and John Cena have both been known for heroic characteristics and qualities that make them inspirational for children. In this case, we are going to go a different route with Sting. This match will feature Sting from '97 when he first took on the Crow gimmick that rejuvenated his image and propelled his status as a star. Leading into this match, Sting plays mind games with Cena like he did with Hollywood Hogan going into Starrcade. As the match starts, Cena drives through Dallas to the arena in a Tesla, as he wears a Dallas Cowboys Jersey of Emmitt Smith. This will be similar to how he entered WrestleMania 23. Then, the roof retracts for a helicopter to fly over the Stadium to bring Sting down. Cena will be caught off guard by Sting's psychology. During the match, Cena will take Sting's bat as the ref is knocked unconscious. As Cena goes for the attack, Sting takes the bat and nails him with it. Sting goes for the pin when Cena kicks out at two. Cena finds a way to grab Sting's leg to take him down for the STFU. Sting reaches the ropes. John Cena signals for the Attitude Adjustment. As he goes for the AA, Sting reverses by putting him in the Scorpion Death Drop again. Sting goes for the Scorpion Deathlock, as John Cena submits. The Stinger defeats the flagbearer of the Modern Era of Wrestling.

World Heavyweight Championship:
Ric Flair vs. Triple H (Champion)
This is a battle between the Master versus the Student. Both Flair and Trips have the most World Titles in wrestling history. (Flair-16, Triple H-13) Ric Flair was the innovator when it came to stables (Four Horsemen). Triple H decided to follow in his hero's footsteps by forming Evolution, which also included Flair. Both were very cerebral in the ring. (no pun intended) Nature Boy may have taught the Game much of what he knows to be a World Champ, but he did not teach him everything that Ric Flair knows. With that said, I believe that Ric Flair will be the ring general and use his IQ and prowess to neutralize The Game's strength and physical advantage. Ric Flair has faced others with the brawling savvy of Triple H (Harley Race), and those even bigger than him (Vader). If the Nature Boy has taken them down, he will find a way to do so in this match. Both will use heel-ish tactics, but Flair will bring down his generational heir by focusing on Triple H's weakest point (his legs). There, Flair will finish off with the Figure Four to become the "Real World's Heavyweight Champion". Whoooooooo!!!!


Submission Match:
Bret Hart vs. Kurt Angle
This will be the technical masterpiece of the night. This is that special match that focuses on the pure art form of wrestling. The Olympic Gold Medalist versus The Canadian Legend. Kurt Angle versus Bret "The Hitman" Hart. This match has been a fantasy for many, because of how amazingly even both men are in terms of pure skill for skill. The art of this match will be legendary, as both Bret and Angle are innovators of the sport. Bret opened the door for technical wrestling with his methodical, shoot-wrestling, mat style while Kurt is the first Olympian in pro wrestling history. Both men have put on wrestling clinics against some of the greatest technicians.
Kurt Angle- Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero
Bret Hart- Shawn Michaels, Mr. Perfect, Chris Benoit, Owen Hart
Both Hart and Angle have brought out the best in not just those men, but even brawlers such as Undertaker, Austin, Razor, etc. Since both are submission specialists, it will be a battle of the Ankle Lock versus The Sharpshooter. With that said, this match will go beyond expectations. There have been rumors that Angle wanted to work a match with Hart, but Bret had retired. Since Bret was not in the right condition, the match never materialized. In this dream, both of them are in the prime/peak of their careers. (Kurt-'03-'05, Bret-'92-'94) This is definitely in Bret's territory, especially when considering his Iconic Match with Stone Cold Steve Austin at WM 13. (1997 Match of the Year) The match itself will be a chain clinic, with neither letting up on the other. There will be a series of reversals, German Suplexes, and other weapons they pull out of their arsenal. This match will have Excellent Execution. However, I see Bret's experience giving him the edge and finding the smallest Angle mistake for an opening. When Bret wears down both of Angle's legs with a number of ways (Figure Four on ringpost), he will close in with the Sharpshooter.

Undertaker vs. Andre The Giant
Two Generations of Mythic Giants Collide. Through the 70's and 80's, Andre The Giant was the Quintessential Big Man in Wrestling. Before Hogan, he was the most recognizable symbol of Pro Wrestling all over the world. Andre was highly respected and revered, as he earned the moniker "The Eighth Wonder of the World". In his prime, Andre was spectacular. As his health started to quickly deteriorate, Vince McMahon looked for someone to fill that void and take the torch as the next Marquee Big Man. Vince's answer comes in November of 1990, in the form of The Undertaker. Undertaker would revolutionize how Giants would wrestle. In Taker's early days, he and Andre NEVER crossed paths. Like Shawn Michaels and The Rock, both of their ships would sail pass each other without a real encounter. Undertaker would take wrestling by storm as the attraction of his generation. His agility combined with strength have been a very special combination. People talk about Big Show vs. Andre, but this is the true fantasy matchup of Colossal Proportions. The Undertaker in this match will be him from throughout the 90's. Andre will prove to be a massive challenge for the Deadman to conquer, and it would be highly entertaining. This would be better than Taker vs. Diesel, and even better than Hogan vs. Andre. In the end, Undertaker pulls out the win with a Chokeslam, followed by a Tombstone where he only has Andre over the shoulder.


Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan
(Attitude Era vs. Rock-N-Wrestling Era)
This will be a Battle of Eras. In fact, these are the faces of the two greatest eras in wrestling history. Initially, wrestling had their greatest mainstream explosion with the rise of Hulk Hogan and "Hulkamania" sweeping the nation during the 1980's. Wrestling was a phenomenon during that period, with cartoons such as "Rock N Wrestling", in large part because of stars such as Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and others. WWF even teamed up with MTV, where stars such as Cyndi Lauper would get involved with wrestling. Hogan was clearly the company's franchise star who carried the company to incredible heights. However, when Hogan left, wrestling would reach a very down period. To make matters worse, Hogan joins forces with the rival WCW to help tear down the house that he built. During that time, the WWF was forced to build and establish a new franchise player to bring back mainstream relevance and success.
Enter Stone Cold Steve Austin. With Austin's superstardom during the late 1990's, WWF reached a level that they had not reached since the Hogan Era of the 80's. When Stone Cold emerged as a major player in The Attitude Era, he carried WWF out of the dungeon and back to the mountain. Austin was an equal phenomenon in his time compared to Hogan. His mainstream impact rivaled that of Hogan in my view. The same way there were fans all over the world wearing Red & Yellow during the Hogan Era, there were fans wearing Stone Cold "Austin 3:16" shirts. Austin broke Hogan's merchandise records, along with numerous attendance records. This would definitely be two worlds colliding. Initially, Hogan and Austin were supposed to face off at WM X8. However, neither man wanted to lose to the other. In this scenario, both are in their primes. I am going Hogan. Austin nails two Stunners. On the third attempt, Hogan grabs the foot, pushes it down and throws him into the ropes for the Big Boot. Hogan proceeds to finish with the Leg Drop for the win. The Hulkster reigns supreme as the superior WrestleMania Icon.


WWE Championship:
Shawn Michaels (Champion) vs. The Rock
This is widely regarded as "The Greatest Match to have never happened". The potential behind this feud is amazing, considering that both of their careers passed each other like they were walking past each other in the hallway. When Shawn Michaels retired for the first time in 1998, The Rock's career went to greater levels where he became WWF Champion in Survivor Series later that year. The Rock's legendary run during  the Attitude Era caused business to explode while Shawn was on the shelf. The back injury cost HBK four years of his prime. However, when Shawn came back in 2002, The Rock was a full-fledged Icon and was the Undisputed WWE Champion. In The Heartbreak Kid's return match at Summerslam 2002, The Rock dropped the belt to Brock Lesnar. As HBK returned to wrestle Chris Jericho at WM XIX, The Rock ended his feud with Stone Cold on the same night. So their paths never fully crossed even when HBK returned. When you add these together, it adds even more fuel to the fire along with the personal animosity that they once had. When The Rock inducted his Father & Grandfather into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008, he said that one match he would have always wanted was with Shawn Michaels. This would definitely be a war of words on the mic. The Rock would mention how he has beaten the likes of Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena. He would also mention how Shawn Michaels lost to all of them on big stages (Hogan-Summerslam, Austin-WM XIV, Cena-WM 23).

On the other hand, Shawn could also bring up how The Rock has beaten everyone except him. The match itself would be a 4-5 star classic and "Match of the Year" written all over it. Both stars would be in their prime for this match. (HBK-'95 vs. Rock-2001) More than likely, I would see The Rock as the tweener coming out with the win, after a grueling back and forth battle. The Rock not only has the size and strength advantage, but matches him in athleticism and agility as well. Rock may not be a primary high flyer like his opponent, but gives him a run when it comes to reflexes. The Great One and The Heartbreak Kid will pull out everything for this match, much like their matches with Stone Cold and Taker. After kicking out of 3 superkicks, The Rock delivers two Rock Bottoms followed by a People's Elbow to put his opponent away to win the WWE Championship.

The Show closes with typical WrestleMania fireworks and confetti, as we celebrate a record-breaking Show. Good night!