The WWE universe has witnessed legendary in-ring battles, many of which are considered dream matches. From Jeff Hardy’s epic brawl with Shawn Michaels in 2008 to The Rock’s all-out war against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18, these matches are etched in WWE’s rich history. However, some wrestlers engaged in battles outside WWE, laying the groundwork for their future success in the promotion.
In 2000, William Regal faced Samoa Joe in Ultimate Pro Wrestling. Both are known for their submission moves, leaving fans and experts curious about who would tap out in a WWE ring. Although a match between them never happened, they did face off in Ultimate Pro Wrestling on October 11, 2000. Regal, a seasoned wrestler, made Joe submit using the Regal Stretch.
Batista and Brock Lesnar engaged in an intense match in Ohio Valley Wrestling before joining WWE. Batista won the match by pinning Lesnar for the three-count, showcasing their promising wrestling skills.
Rey Mysterio (Via WWE/Twitter)
In 2002, CM Punk, Eddie Guerrero, and Rey Mysterio had a memorable triple-threat match in IWA Mid-South. For Punk, it was a significant match, as he faced two iconic figures in professional wrestling.
Sting and Kane battled in World Championship Wrestling in 1993. Sting won the match with his signature Scorpion Deathlock. Although Sting and The Undertaker never faced off in WWE, they had a match in 1990 during Sting’s WCW days. Sting defended his NWA World Heavyweight Championship, which he held at the time.
These hidden battles shaped the legendary superstars WWE fans know and love today. Despite never making it to WWE, these matches contributed to the wrestlers’ growth and development, ultimately leading to their success in the promotion.
