10 Biggest "What If?" Scenarios In WrestleMania History

What if Kurt Angle broke The Undertaker's streak, or Flair vs. Hogan actually happened?

hulk hogan wrestlemania 9
WWE.com

Born on March 31st, 1985, WrestleMania has changed professional wrestling in ways beyond even Vince McMahon's wildest dreams.

McMahon wanted to take over the world, and Mania was his first major attempt at dragging wrestling from its niche and into mainstream consciousness. He took a huge gamble by pouring vasts amounts of money into the event, but it paid-off: WWE's popularity exploded in the aftermath, and WrestleMania became an annual tradition.

It remains the backbone of WWE's success today, and as the grandest stage of them all, it's only natural that some of WWE's most iconic moments have taken place at WrestleMania. From Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant to Steve Austin's catastrophic heel turn, Mania's biggest moments have shaped wrestling as we know it, and WWE would look vastly different without them.

Vince couldn't have conquered wrestling without WrestleMania, and WWE's biggest show is nothing without its biggest moments. A few tweaks here and there, however, and things look entirely different not only for WrestleMania, but the sport as a whole...

10. What If Bray Wyatt Defeated John Cena?

Hulk Hogan Ric Flair 1992
wwe.com

Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship win shouldn’t have been WrestleMania 30’s only star-making performance. Bray Wyatt was fast becoming one of WWE’s most fearsome superstars, and after he and the Wyatt Family cost John Cena the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble, the seeds were sown for an epic showdown.

Wyatt was one of the hottest things in the company at the time. His Cape Fear-esque gimmick was compelling, and his mystique drew immediate comparisons between him and The Undertaker. He was set to take-off, but just like he’d done dozens of times before, Cena clipped his wings.

His push was immediately sabotaged, and Wyatt began a long slide towards irrelevance. Cena effectively demolished the Wyatt Family single-handedly (following interference from Luke Harper and Erick Rowan), and the feud continued through the summer, with Cena ultimately prevailing.

The match outcome represents a huge missed opportunity. It took almost three years for Wyatt to eventually become WWE Champion, but his ascension could have started a lot sooner if not for Cena. Had he defeated WWE’s franchise player, Wyatt would’ve been catapulted into the spotlight immediately.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.