Since the incarnation of Wrestlemania, there have been many matches, ideas, and finishes that were initially planned but for some reason, they never came to fruition. We are going to share some of the most interesting stories that have been talked about by the people involved over the years.
Remember these are all stories from different wrestlers, so some will be completely believable and some won’t, but take them all with a pinch of salt.
Triple H vs The Undertaker (27)
The original plans were to have a huge inter-promotional match between the (then) UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker. This was even teased by Undertaker and Lesnar at a UFC event when they crossed paths. The idea was to have UFC Championship vs The Streak (this would mean not only that Lesnar was always going to end the streak, but it was planned to end earlier than it did). These plans fell apart when not only did Lesnar lose the UFC Title, but UFC President Dana White refused to let Lesnar work for WWE while he was under a UFC contract. This would explain why the Triple H vs Undertaker feud seemed to come out of nowhere.
Triple H vs Mick Foley vs The Rock vs Big Show (16)
The original plan for this one had Chris Jericho in the fatal-4-way, this was so far along that Jericho was even on promotional posters for the match (even used for the PPV banner on the WWE Network). Vince started to change his mind, thinking this was too big for Jericho, so Foley returned from retirement just months after announcing it.
The Rock vs Hulk Hogan (18)
The original plans were for once again to have an ultimate dream match, this time it was era vs era with Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Hulk Hogan. Austin was the one who would put the blockers on this once-in-a-lifetime match. Austin thought the match wouldn’t be great due to the shape Hogan was in; he was also concerned with who would do the job. The Rock offered to work with Hogan, the outcome would be one of the best Wrestlemania matches ever, and Austin would be bumped down the card.
Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker (32)
The original plan here was for monumental first times ever match between The Undertaker vs John Cena. This seems like the closest we had ever gotten to this match actually happening before we got their ‘match’. Plans were nicked when Cena suffered a major shoulder injury. Shane would step in after he returned for ‘one night only’ but is still there to this day.
John Cena vs Randy Orton vs Triple H (24)
(According to Hulk Hogan) The original plan for Wrestlemania 24 was for him to be involved in ANOTHER dream match, seeing Hulk Hogan vs John Cena. How true this one is, is anyone’s guess but Hogan claims he was working on a 25-year deal with WWE, including this match. Hogan claims his back went, and this halted negotiation. Again, take this one with a pinch of salt.
Diesel vs The Undertaker (12)
Legend says that Undertaker was originally doing the job to Diesel, which would mean there would be no streak to speak of. The plans only changed when Nash signed with WCW.
Randy Savage vs Ted DiBiase (4)
(According to Ted DiBiase) The original plan was for him to win the WWE Championship tournament, not Randy Savage. Savage was actually supposed to win the Intercontinental Championship months before ‘Mania, but The Honkytonk Man refused to drop the title to Savage. After Savage won the WWE Championship, DiBiase was given the ‘Million Dollar Championship’ as a condolence prize for the change in plans.
Hulk Hogan vs Sgt. Slaughter (7)
The original plan, as shocking as it may seem now was for Ultimate Warrior to hold the WWE Championship for a full year, this would lead to the ultimate Wrestlemania 6 rematch with Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior. Warrior would not get over enough to do this so Slaughter vs Hogan was made after Slaughter was a surprise winner of Royal Rumble.
There is also a story that prior to Royal Rumble Hogan was meant to be facing ‘Sheik’ Tugboat. The story is that Tugboat would turn on Hogan and align himself with Sheik Adnan. Plans were only changed when Slaughter got over so well due to the Gulf War.
Hulk Hogan vs Ultimate Warrior (6)
This is one of the most well know original plans but it’s worth mentioning. The original booking was for Hogan to face Zeus (no not the Greek God). We are talking about Zeus played by Tiny Lister in the movie ‘No Holds Barred’, alongside Hulk Hogan. This never happened as the film bombed, but that didn’t stop Lister from telling everyone the crazy amount of money he was offered to wrestle.
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels (14)
This match was originally meant to see Bret Hart facing off against The Rattlesnake; this would result in Austin getting his win and the WWE Championship. If this would have happened it seems doubtful there would be any Mike Tyson involvement and ultimately the Mr McMahon character would never have been.
Kurt Angle vs Kane (18)
The original plan here was a match we would see years later on a much smaller stage, and in a completely different promotion. Before Wrestlemania 18 WWE was negotiating a contract with WCW mainstay, Sting. The contract was so nearly signed that Sting was written into the show. Negotiations inevitably fell down between Stinger and WWE, so this throwaway match was booked.
Did you know all of these plans? Do you know any more original plans that never happened? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @SLTDWrestling
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