Yesterday, I revealed the top three “dream matches” I would love to see at WrestleMania XXX next year. Those matches included John Cena vs. Hulk Hogan, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. CM Punk and The Undertaker vs. Sting. If you missed it, you can check out part one and read about those three potential “dream matches” by clicking here.
Excluding the usual build-up, let’s jump right back into the list and look at the final four matches I would love to see take place at next year’s WrestleMania XXX event, starting with a potential classic “student vs. teacher” showdown…
Shawn Michaels vs. Daniel Bryan
This is another match that is actually rumored to be taking place at WrestleMania XXX. While many doubt it actually will, because people believe HBK will remain retired, there is some talk that he is considering coming out of retirement for one final match. I personally doubt it will happen, but when discussing possible “dream matches” for WrestleMania, which is what I’m doing here, this one is near the top of my list.
The story behind it is so simple, but certainly effective. We’ve seen it a thousand times in the past in different forms of sports and entertainment. The student versus the teacher. Everyone knows the story about Michaels helping Bryan learn to wrestle early in his career. Student versus teacher matches happen so often for one main reason: they work. It’s a relatable angle, which is something that is always at the center of the best angles in wrestling history — something people can relate to and understand.
The match itself between these two would likely be off-the-charts amazing. No one is a better “big match performer” than Shawn Michaels. He has the nickname “Mr. WrestleMania” for a reason. Daniel Bryan is one of the best in-ring workers WWE has to offer right now. Matching these two up, especially on a grand stage such as WrestleMania, would likely result in an easy “match of the year” if not “match of the decade” candidate.
Goldberg vs. Ryback
This is near the bottom of my list of “dream matches” for WrestleMania, but it’s still on the list. It’s on the list for the obvious reason: everyone considers Ryback to be a carbon-copy, or a clone of Bill Goldberg. Ryback has a similar look, a similar style, and was pushed early on in his WWE run in a similar fashion.
The thing that makes a Goldberg vs. Ryback match exciting as a fan is the believability factor. Anyone who lived through the Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart feud knows that the best programs in pro wrestling are the ones where there is some legitimate tension between the two performers. Where the two talk trash, but you actually believe they mean it. Where the two square off in the ring, and part of you thinks they really want to kick each other’s ass. That’s what you have when you picture Goldberg vs. Ryback.
Ryback continues to call out Goldberg in interviews in the media, while Goldberg continues to respond in interviews or social media platforms as well. This is another one of the many matches rumored for WrestleMania XXX. Time and time again there have been reports of WWE trying to sign Goldberg specifically for a match against Ryback at WrestleMania XXX.
Unlike HBK vs. Bryan, I doubt this wins any “match of the year” awards, but it would still be a pretty cool showdown to see take place at WrestleMania.
nWo vs. D-X
Remember, we’re talking about “dream matches.” My head is not in the sand, I’m well aware that the time for this match may have passed. Since we’re discussing dream matches, I have to include this on the list. I’ve always wanted to see a faction vs. faction showdown between the New World Order and D-Generation X. They were basically mirror-images of each other in WWE and WCW during the Monday Night Wars. D-X was the rebel army in WWE, nWo was the rebel army in WCW.
If WWE could get Shawn Michaels to come out of retirement, if they could get he and Triple H together as a tag-team and sign Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman, this could be a cool “dream match.” Hall is in shape again. Something tells me HBK could still “go” with the best of them in the ring. We all know Triple H can still get it done. Kevin Nash has never been the best worker alive, but he’s still able to work a spot or two in a match, basically the same qualifications he’s always had as an in-ring performer. If they could get Sean Waltman, he would be the perfect “x-factor” in this equation. Other than Rick Rude, he was the only guy in both factions. He’s a well-known real-life friend of all four guys involved, who are also all well-known real-life friends who made up the infamous “Kliq” during the early 1990s.
While this is probably the least likely of any of the “dream matches” on my list, I still think it would be interesting to see the build up to a nWo vs. D-X match. It would be a cool little angle to see who Waltman sides with, something that could determine the outcome of the actual match if they chose to book it that way.
The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family
While we’re on the subject of faction vs. faction “dream matches,” let’s take a look at one that actually has a chance of taking place. If we ever want to see a Shield vs. Wyatt Family showdown, WrestleMania XXX is the event for it to happen. Something tells me one, or both, of these factions are going to be split up in the near future. Make this match happen before that takes place! Please!
WWE has done an impressive job in promoting both factions, with each faction doing their part to succeed and run with the ball once it was handed to them. The Shield has been around longer, and has accomplished a bit more, but The Wyatt Family is starting to get some real opportunities, and creatively speaking, have a lot more they can accomplish with their ominous personas.
As is the case with a lot of the “dream matches” on my list, this is one that is actually being strongly discussed for WrestleMania XXX in 2014. I, for one, hope it actually happens. It just feels like a great mix of talent that could result in a really cool faction vs. faction angle.
So there you have it. That is my WrestleMania XXX dream card. It’s my own personal dream card, so I’m sure many will disagree and have their own take on it. I would love to hear your take, which you can leave in the “Comments” section below, or by hitting me up on Twitter @MBoone420.
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NOTE: The above item is an eWrestlingNews.com opinionated editorial, and should not be confused as a factual news item. Readers can contact the author of the above editorial, Matt Boone, via Twitter @MBoone420 or by posting your immediate feedback in the “Comments” section below.
