10 Dream Matches Wrestlers Refuse To Work

9. Shawn Michaels Vs AJ Styles

It was during a WWE Network Table For 3 special that Shawn Michaels brought up a cool photoshopped poster he'd seen for a San Antonio Royal Rumble that pitched the prospect of 'The Showstopper' returning to action to take on AJ Styles.

He noted with great respect that, as good as he knew it could be, he found the idea somewhat pointless compared to the possibilities of helping others.

Then, Saudi Arabia happened.

Crown Jewel 2018 was perhaps the most controversial of all the shows the company have presented in the country thus far, but while outside-the-ring issues dogged the coverage, one infamous return dominated the reviews.

Michaels seemed earnest in his original answer regarding 'The Phenomenal One', but WWE somehow found his price when the Saudi Arabian Sports Authority were suddenly only too happy to fund it. The Styles match really did feel more and more like a dream as the Brothers Of Destruction Vs D-Generation X nightmare unfolded, too.

Michael Hamflett

Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett

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