10 Dream Matches Wrestlers Refuse To Work

3. Shawn Michaels Vs Daniel Bryan

Batista The Rock
WWE.com

Though certain not to happen due to yet another case of Michaels probably not having believing he's got the performance in him, this legends battle once seemed perfectly pitched thanks to 'HBK' often being cast as Daniel Bryan's trainer in his formative years.

Even more than the mooted AJ Styles clash, a match between two of the all-time in-ring greats would likely play well with the apprentice-becomes-the-master structure, particular if one was willing to lean into playing heel. Bryan proved exceptional as a reinvented version of himself in late 2018/early 2019, as was Michaels when he elected to side with best friend Triple H over the crowd favourite 'Yes Man' during that 2014 programme.

Bryan Danielson's rumoured move to AEW is just one more way this has probably been scuppered. Michaels is as embedded in WWE as he's ever been, which stands in stark contrast to his former trainee. The artist formerly known as Daniel Bryan has seemingly never been less ensconced.

Contributor
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