WrestleMania has given fans countless unforgettable moments, but some of wrestling’s most anticipated matches never made it to the grandest stage. From tragic losses to backstage drama, these four clashes were canceled under circumstances that left fans heartbroken.
Eddie Guerrero Vs Shawn Michaels WrestleMania 22
The wrestling world was buzzing in 2005 with rumors of a dream match between Eddie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels being planned for WrestleMania 22. This clash of technical masters promised to be one of the greatest encounters in WWE history. However, the idea was dropped when Guerrero unexpectedly passed away from heart failure in November 2005, just five months before the scheduled event.
Fans worldwide were devastated, mourning not just the loss of a beloved superstar but also the potential classic they would never see. Michaels later paid tribute, saying, “Eddie was a genius in the ring; it would’ve been special.”
CM Punk Vs. Triple H WrestleMania 30
CM Punk vs Triple H was planned for WrestleMania 30, pitting Punk’s rebellious streak against Triple H’s authority figure persona. The match fell apart when Punk abruptly left WWE in January 2014 over creative disputes and burnout. At stake was Punk’s chance to headline and Triple H’s dominance. Fans were furious, flooding social media with disappointment over losing a high-profile grudge match.
Punk remained silent initially, later hinting on interviews that he felt “done” with WWE. Whereas Triple H called it a “missed opportunity.” That year, Punk didn’t compete, while Triple H faced Daniel Bryan, losing in a match that catapulted Bryan among the greats in WWE.
Bray Wyatt And Bobby Lashley WrestleMania 39
Bray Wyatt and Bobby Lashley were set to compete at WrestleMania 39 in 2023, a clash of Wyatt’s creepy mind games and Lashley’s brute strength. The match was canceled due to Wyatt’s undisclosed illness, later revealed as a serious health issue leading to his passing in August 2023.
Lashley also expressed disappointment on social media, saying, “Wish we could’ve told that story.” At The Showcase of the Immortals, Wyatt didn’t appear, and Lashley showed up with the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Trophy, but it wasn’t as exciting as the hyped matchup.
Kevin Owens And Randy Orton WrestleMania 41
The highly anticipated WrestleMania 41 clash between Kevin Owens and Randy Orton has been officially canceled following Owens’ emotional announcement on the April 4, 2025, episode of SmackDown. Owens revealed he requires immediate neck surgery after battling the injury for four months, telling fans, “I don’t know when I’ll be back in front of you again.”
Orton interrupted the segment with a tense stare down before Owens exited. When SmackDown GM Nick Aldis confirmed Orton no longer had a WrestleMania match, “The Viper” responded by delivering a brutal RKO out of frustration.
WWE is now reportedly scrambling to find Orton a new WrestleMania opponent, though many fans argue no replacement match could match the intensity of the original Owens-Orton showdown. But we disagree, because who better for Orton to face at WrestleMania 41 than a former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion in Nick Aldis?
