3 WWE dream matches that didn't live up to the hype, and 3 that exceeded expectations

The WWE has been around for decades, and has played host to some of the biggest names in all of wrestling. In the 80s, stars like Hulk Hogan, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage and the Ultimate Warrior ruled the roost, before giving way to names like The Rock, The Undertaker and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin.

In more recent years, names like John Cena, Daniel Bryan, and The Shield have ruled, though the fans have been able to see some dream matches spanning generations. And though some of these dream matches won the fans over, some bouts weren't received so well.

Here are three WWE dream matches that unfortunately didn't live up to the hype, as well as 3 huge bouts that exceeded all expectations.

---

#3 Didn't live up to the hype: AJ Styles Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WrestleMania 34)

Styles and Nakamura delivered a fine match at WrestleMania, though fans think it could've been better.

When Shinsuke Nakamura won the 2018 Men's Royal Rumble, fans knew what was coming and got excited. Nakamura quickly announced that he would be facing WWE Champion AJ Styles, in a dream match destined for New Orleans.

Though the pair had faced off in the past, this would be their first encounter in WWE, and at the biggest stage of them all, WrestleMania 34.

And then, the match happened.

It's not a bad match to be fair, but it was just a match, nothing too exciting from the pair, who seemed to be holding back during the 20-minute bout.

A heel turn post-match by Nakamura failed to excite the crowd, and their feud continued to be less and less exciting. Fans pondered how this had changed from being a dream-match, to one of the most annoying parts of WWE in 2018.

#3 Exceeded expectations: The Rock Vs. John Cena (WrestleMania 28)

The Rock defeated Cena in a match one year in the making at WrestleMania 28.

If I had to describe the Rock-John Cena feud of 2011-2013 in one word, it'd be 'brave'. The company took a huge gamble by announcing the WrestleMania 28 main event a year in advance, and for the next 12 months, speculation ran rampant over who would win.

"Surely it'll be The Rock right, as WWE wouldn't bring him in to lose?"

"But then again, this is John Cena, the name and face of WWE, and a full-time star, surely he'll beat the part-timer."

Colliding on April 1, the two delivered exactly what fans came to see, as a split-second mistake by John cost him the bout. Their rematch the following year paled in comparison, though to be fare to their Mania 29 encounter, it had a tough act to follow.

#2 Didn't live up to the hype: Dean Ambrose Vs. Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 32)

Despite the No Holds Barred stipulation, this match was a dud in 2016.

Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar could not have come from two more different worlds when entering WWE. Ambrose had arrived in the company after years of building himself as a death-match aficionado on the independent scene, whilst Lesnar's arrival in WWE was quick and featured a meteoric rise to the top.

Colliding at WrestleMania 32 in a No Holds Barred match, fans were pumped to see what the two drastically different stars would pull off, but the match was a dude.

According to Ambrose, Lesnar refused everything that the Lunatic Fringe pitched, and instead of a captivating unique bout, the dream-match was as standard a Lesnar match as possible.

With no rematch for the pair, this may be the most wasted match on this list.

#2 Exceeded Expectations: Kurt Angle Vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 21)

Angle and Michaels delivered a wrestling clinic at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.

For years, Shawn Michaels established himself as an icon of Monday Night RAW, at the same time that Kurt Angle proved himself to be one of the most incredible athletes on SmackDown. And though for a while a match between the two seemed impossible, the pair would finally face off at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.

A feud born out of pure jealousy, Angle hoped to prove he was better than the Showstopper, claiming his beef with HBK went all the way back to 1996, where Angle's Olympic win was overshadowed by Michaels' Iron Man victory.

In an epic encounter, Angle would eventually make Michaels tap to the Ankle Lock, and though Mr WrestleMania wouldn't win the bout, no-one, especially not the fans, came out of this as a loser.

#1 Didn't live up to the hype: Goldberg Vs. Brock Lesnar (WrestleMania 20)

Lesnar and Goldberg would have a much better match 13 years later in 2017.

Another appearance by Lesnar on this list, this one comes from 2004, in what for a long time, was Lesnar's last appearance in the company.

After Goldberg had been mocked and attacked at the 2004 Royal Rumble by Lesnar, the former WCW star would retaliate, costing the Beast the WWE title to Eddie Guerrero at No Way Out.

Their match at Mania was meant to be a dream until real life got in the way. As news of both men's imminent departure from WWE reached fans, the New York crowd were hostile to both men, booing the duo.

In response, neither men made an effort to entertain during the sluggish match, and even the presence of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin couldn't save this ruined dream match.

#1 Exceeded expectations: The Rock Vs. 'Hollywood' Hogan (WrestleMania X8)

Fans worried that Hogan wouldn't be able to perform, but were more than proven wrong.

The Rock and Hulk Hogan. Two icons of two very different eras.

In one corner in the Skydome was Hogan, arguably the biggest star ever, who had dominated the WWF in the 80s-early 90s. In the other corner, The Rock. The star of a new generation, who had wowed fans both as face and a heel.

A true meeting of icons, the near-70,000 fans in attendance were hooked, and though support started solely for The Brahma Bull, folks couldn't help but respect Hogan's grit. By the end of the match, Hogan had won over the crowd, and after fighting off his nWo stablemates alongside The Rock, Hulkamania ran wild again.

A truly epic encounter, this match exceeded all expectations and for many is the greatest match of all time.