101 Shocking Wrestling Plans You Won't Believe Almost Happened

The McMahons needed Ultimate Warrior's star power in 1996, but his grand return quickly faded as everyone fell out behind the scenes. By the following year, things had started to look up for the company, but they were nonetheless rocked by the departure of Bret Hart. Looking to plug a sizeable star-shaped hole in his roster, Vince sent Warrior a pleading letter.

It sounds outlandish, but McMahon reportedly offered Warrior $750,000 guaranteed per year on a 5-year agreement to come back. A top spot at WrestleMania XIV would've been all but locked in, which might've impacted what Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels had planned for the bumper show.

Imagine Warrior taking on 'Stone Cold' or HBK instead?! That would've saved Shawn some significant back pain (had it been Austin 'The Ultimate One' locked horns with), but there's no denying the match quality would've taken a hit. This was all hypothetical anyway, because Warrior didn't even respond to McMahon's letter.

He joined WCW for even more money, and then set about the task of working one of the worst pay-per-view matches of the 90s against old WrestleMania VI foe Hulk Hogan. Together, that combo would stink up the joint at Halloween Havoc over on WCW's side, and it's easy to picture Warrior doing the same had he rejoined the WWF.

Warrior would've felt like a relic in 1998 WWF. The product had changed a heck of a lot even since 1996, and the threat of diminishing returns on his star power loomed. Ignoring Vince's offer worked out best for the WWF, no doubt.