Since the incarnation of Wrestlemania, there have been many matches, ideas, and finishes that were originally 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.
Let’s get started…
The Big Show vs Floyd Mayweather (24)
The original plan for this one was meant to be a cross-sport tag team match with Big Show and Mayweather actually tagging against Rey Mysterio and Oscar De La Hoya. Unfortunately, De La Hoya turned the idea down, sticking to the tag team idea it was then pencilled in to have Mysterio and Mayweather vs Shane McMahon and Big Show or MVP. When Ray was injured the singles match between Big Show and Mayweather was made.
Triple H vs Sting (31)
The original plan was for Triple H vs Batista. Batista left in the summer and was planning on returning for a huge Mania feud with Triple H. The plans changed when Batista got his part in the James Bond movie. He was quickly replaced with Sting to have the ultimate WCW vs WWE match.
Triple H vs Daniel Bryan (30)
This match went through more than one change, as Triple H was meant to face Stone Cold Steve Austin (more on that later). Then he was then meant to face CM Punk, this was the plan until Punk walked out and WWE needed someone to face the Authority. Enter Bryan and the road to ‘Yeslemania’ began.
Triple H vs Stone Cold Steve Austin (30)
There were some early plans to have Triple H vs Austin in the ultimate power struggle for control of WWE. The idea was simple; Austin would represent Vince and the winner would literally take all. This was quickly scrapped when Austin told WWE he had no interest in wrestling.
Hulk Hogan vs Sid Justice (8)
It’s not unknown that Wrestlemania 8 was meant to have the ultimate dream match, Hulk Hogan vs Ric Flair. The match was even made at a mock press conference where Hogan was named as the number one contender for Flair’s WWE Championship. The plans would change after Hogan and Flair would work some house show matches and not produce the chemistry everyone thought they would.
Bret Hart vs Owen Hart (10)
This was easily one of the best undercard matches in the history of Wrestlemania, and nearly never happened. The original plan was for Bret to face his older brother Bruce. Bret would go to bat for Owen, and fought management hard to change one brother for another.
Andre the Giant vs Hulk Hogan (3)
Although this match was always the plan, there were some serious fears for Andre’s quickly deteriorating health so much so that Andre had surgery before Wrestlemania and recovered on Vince McMahon’s couch. If Andre was unable to compete, Paul Orndorff was WWE’s plan B. This is why he wasn’t booked on the card and also turned heel on Hogan.
Randy Orton vs Kurt Angle vs Ray Mysterio (22)
Originally Randy Orton was booked to win the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 22, these plans were changed when Orton was allegedly caught blatantly smoking something he shouldn’t have backstage. Mysterio was given the championship and Orton was given a suspension right after the match.
Roddy Piper vs Goldust (12)
Leading into Wrestlemania 12, Goldust was feuding with Razor Ramon. An Intercontinental Championship rematch from Royal Rumble was set for ‘Mania, but by the time this rolled around Ramon would be mid-suspension for a Wellness Policy violation, so Piper was slotted in. This would end up being one of the strangest matches on any WWE card.
Bobby Lashley vs Umaga (23)
Although the ‘Battle of the Billionaires’ was always booked for Wrestlemania 23, Lashley and Umaga were not the first picks for the match. Originally this was meant to be Booker T vs Shawn Michaels (Michaels representing Trump and Booker representing Vince). Although never confirmed, Michaels was taken out of the match when Triple H was injured so they would need a new main event match for John Cena.
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
Recent Comments