AEW WrestleDream – 10 AEW Dream Matches That Never Happened

As AEW WrestleDream 2025 approaches, one word echoes through every wrestling fan’s mind — Dream Matches. For years, AEW has delivered unforgettable battles that broke barriers and blurred the lines between reality and fantasy. But even in a company known for dream bouts, there are still clashes we never got to see — rivalries that could’ve changed the game forever. Imagine the electricity, the stories, the legacies that could’ve been written inside that AEW ring. Today, we’re diving deep into 10 AEW Dream Matches That Never Happened — matches that fans have been begging for, the ones that still make us wonder what if every time the lights go down at WrestleDream.

10. Britt Baker vs. Jamie Hayter –

Technically, Britt Baker vs. Jamie Hayter did happen once in AEW — but that was long before Jamie became one of the most dominant names in the women’s division. At that time, Britt Baker was the face of AEW, and Jamie Hayter was still making her name as an enhancement talent. Despite losing, Hayter impressed AEW management and soon aligned with Baker, becoming her loyal protégé and right-hand woman. Together, they formed one of AEW’s most consistent duos, blending Britt’s charisma with Hayter’s raw power and intensity.

Over time, the dynamic began to shift. Jamie Hayter rose to become a major singles star, eventually capturing the AEW Women’s World Championship while Baker remained close by. Fans waited for the inevitable fallout — a student vs. mentor clash that could’ve defined AEW’s women’s division. But the timing never lined up. When Britt Baker was active on television, Jamie Hayter was sidelined with injury. Now that Hayter has returned, Baker has been off AEW programming for undisclosed reasons. For now, one of AEW’s most emotional and long-awaited dream matches remains just that — a dream.

9. Swerve Strickland vs. Keith Lee –

Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee, two former WWE stars, came together in AEW and formed the unlikely tag team known as Swerve in Our Glory. Despite their differences, the duo captured the AEW World Tag Team Championships and became one of the most talked-about teams in the company. But after losing their titles to The Acclaimed, tensions reached a breaking point. Swerve turned on Keith Lee, and from that moment, a one-on-one clash felt inevitable.

However, fate had other plans. Keith Lee’s ongoing injuries kept him out of action just as the rivalry was heating up. Meanwhile, Swerve Strickland’s star continued to rise — he became a top-tier player in AEW, climbing the ranks with his swagger, charisma, and ruthless edge. Around Worlds End 2023, Keith Lee made his long-awaited return, and AEW even advertised their long-awaited showdown for the pay-per-view. But just days before the event, Lee suffered another setback and was replaced by Dustin Rhodes. Dustin fought valiantly, but Swerve secured the victory — leaving fans still waiting for the dream match that never happened. With Keith Lee off AEW television due to another undisclosed injury, the rivalry that once felt destined for greatness remains unfinished.

8. Saraya vs. Mercedes Moné –

If you know both these women, you already know the deep, emotional history between them. Before joining AEW, Saraya was known to WWE fans as Paige, and Mercedes Moné was known as Sasha Banks. Their names are forever linked through one infamous moment — when Mercedes accidentally kicked Saraya in the back of the neck during a WWE match, causing a severe injury that forced Saraya into early retirement. For years, fans believed she’d never wrestle again.

But in 2022, Saraya shocked the world by returning to in-ring action under the AEW banner, reclaiming her place as one of wrestling’s biggest comeback stories. She even captured the AEW Women’s World Championship, proving her resilience. Meanwhile, Mercedes Moné walked away from WWE creative frustrations, reinvented herself in Japan, and later signed with AEW. For a moment, both women were finally in the same company — a dream setup for a rivalry with genuine history and emotion. Fans imagined a story that blurred the lines between reality and redemption, yet somehow, AEW never pulled the trigger. The result? One of the most powerful and personal AEW dream matches that never happened.

7. Nick Jackson vs. Matt Jackson –

Some of wrestling’s most unforgettable stories have come from brothers turning on each other. From Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart to Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy, and even the recent blood feud between Jey and Jimmy Uso — sibling rivalries have always delivered deep emotion and drama inside the squared circle. AEW has seen similar moments too, like FTR’s Cash Wheeler vs. Dax Harwood and the Lucha Brothers’ Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Rey Fénix. But one match that fans have wanted since day one still hasn’t happened — Nick Jackson vs. Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks.

Since their debut, The Young Bucks have been inseparable. They vowed to never break apart and to go down as the greatest tag team in wrestling history. That bond has kept them together through every faction change and every heel turn. Technically, fans did get a taste of what such a match might look like on their Being The Elite YouTube series, where the brothers filmed a cinematic-style “friendly fight.” But on AEW television, the dream clash between Nick and Matt Jackson has never taken place. If the day ever comes when the brothers go solo, this showdown could be one of AEW’s most emotional and story-driven dream matches ever — but for now, it remains just a fantasy.

6. FTR vs. The Hardy Boys –

When AEW first launched, it delivered the strongest tag team division in modern wrestling. From The Young Bucks and Lucha Bros to the arrival of FTR, the division felt stacked with world-class talent. The excitement reached new heights when one of the most legendary duos in wrestling history — The Hardy Boys — joined the company. Fans were thrilled when they finally got their long-awaited dream match between The Young Bucks and The Hardys. But there was another dream encounter that never came to life: FTR vs. The Hardy Boys.

The matchup promised to be a masterpiece of contrast — FTR’s old-school technical wrestling and precision teamwork versus the Hardy Boys’ daredevil chaos and high-risk style. Both teams shared the AEW ring during the same period, putting on show-stealing performances against other opponents, yet somehow never crossed paths with each other. With Jeff and Matt Hardy no longer part of AEW and FTR still dominating the tag scene, this dream tag team showdown seems more unlikely than ever. It’s a true “what if” that could have showcased the perfect blend of wrestling eras — but remains one of AEW’s greatest tag team dream matches that never happened.

5. Bryan Danielson vs. Darby Allin –

Darby Allin, one of AEW’s most fearless daredevils, has gone head-to-head with nearly everyone in the company — but one match that fans were eagerly anticipating never took place: Bryan Danielson vs. Darby Allin. The two were actually set to collide for the AEW World Championship at AEW Grand Slam 2024, a bout that promised to be a perfect clash of styles — Danielson’s technical mastery versus Darby’s reckless resilience. However, Jon Moxley’s involvement in the storyline shifted the creative direction, and the dream encounter was scrapped.

In the months that followed, Darby suffered an injury while Bryan Danielson officially announced his transition away from full-time in-ring competition. While both men have shared mutual respect and even friendly moments on AEW television, the match itself has never materialized. Had it happened, fans would’ve witnessed a breathtaking spectacle — Danielson’s precision submissions trying to ground Darby’s high-risk chaos — a true dream match that would’ve showcased the heart, pain, and artistry AEW fans live for.

4. CM Punk vs. KENTA — The Forbidden Door Match That Never Happened

CM Punk, the wrestler who has drawn fans back into the industry with his straight-edge persona and undeniable presence, made his AEW return a fresh start while still carrying his signature finisher, the GTS (Go To Sleep). But the move originally comes from NJPW legend KENTA, who had used it long before Punk adopted it — and for years, KENTA has reportedly held a grudge. This set the stage for a dream clash between two iconic figures when AEW partnered with NJPW for the Forbidden Door event.

Fans expected Punk vs. KENTA to headline or at least steal the show, but the match never materialized. Despite KENTA pushing for it, AEW and NJPW never made it happen — whether due to creative decisions, scheduling conflicts, or Punk’s own choice remains unknown. With Punk now no longer in AEW, the chances of this high-stakes, cross-promotional dream match ever happening are virtually gone. What could have been a landmark encounter for wrestling fans worldwide remains one of the AEW dream matches that never happened.

3. Cody Rhodes vs. Jon Moxley –

Cody Rhodes, one of AEW’s founding figures alongside The Elite, quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the company. Early on, he climbed to the top, competing for the AEW World Championship and even vowing to never challenge for it again if he lost — a promise he eventually had to keep. At the same time, Jon Moxley had arrived in AEW, engaging in a heated rivalry with Kenny Omega that fans were eager to see unfold, pitting WWE grit against NJPW excellence.

While the Moxley vs. Omega feud dominated the spotlight, another dream clash quietly remained unfulfilled: Cody Rhodes vs. Jon Moxley, champion vs. champion. Cody held the TNT Championship while Moxley carried the AEW World Title, making this matchup the perfect high-stakes showdown for AEW’s top stars. Unfortunately, it never happened. Cody eventually left the company he helped build to return to WWE, leaving fans to wonder what could have been. With Moxley still thriving in AEW, the chances of this monumental dream match ever coming to life are now slim to none, leaving it as one of the most tantalizing AEW dream matches that never happened.

2. Sting vs. Darby Allin –

When Darby Allin first arrived in AEW, his fearless attitude and relentless style immediately reminded fans of a familiar legend: Sting. When Sting eventually joined AEW, fans hoped that his return to the ring might include a one-on-one match against Darby Allin — a symbolic passing of the torch. Early interactions seemed to set the stage for this dream bout. Surprisingly, AEW chose a different path. Sting and Darby Allin quickly became close allies, teaming together as one of the company’s most dominant and undefeated tag duos. However, even during their tag team run, there were moments when the two weren’t on the same page, hinting at potential tension and a possible singles clash.

As Sting’s AEW contract neared its end, fans anticipated that his final in-ring match might finally be against Darby Allin, giving their partnership a dramatic conclusion. Yet, plans shifted, and the Young Bucks became Sting’s retirement opponents at Revolution 2024, with Darby by his side to honor him. What could have been a poignant, emotional dream match — Sting vs. Darby Allin in a final showdown — never came to fruition. Instead, fans were left to imagine the magic that could have unfolded between the AEW veteran and the company’s most daring daredevil.

1. CM Punk vs. Bryan Danielson –

CM Punk and Bryan Danielson, two of the greatest wrestlers in Ring of Honor history, became true legends long before joining AEW. Both men later found themselves in WWE, continuing to build their legacies, and eventually reunited in AEW as top stars, leading the company and mentoring the next generation. While both delivered some of AEW’s most memorable matches, fans have long lamented that the ultimate dream clash between Punk and Danielson — a battle of two all-time greats — never occurred on AEW television.

This matchup could have reignited their storied rivalry from their ROH days, introducing it to a new AEW audience while giving fans the dream showdown they had been imagining for years. Sadly, that opportunity passed. With CM Punk now back in WWE and Bryan Danielson retired from full-time wrestling, the chance of this iconic AEW dream match happening is effectively gone. It remains one of the most tantalizing “what if” moments in modern professional wrestling — a match that could have defined an era but now lives only in the imagination of the fans.

As AEW WrestleDream 2025 approaches, these AEW Dream Matches That Never Happened remind fans of the incredible moments we’ve yet to see inside the squared circle. From legendary rivalries to tag team clashes and once-in-a-lifetime singles bouts, the “what ifs” continue to fuel our imagination. For more deep dives, AEW news, and exclusive WrestleDream content, visit AEWTalkDown.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel @AEWTalkDownEng — your ultimate source for everything AEW. Don’t miss out on the latest previews, match analyses, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of All Elite Wrestling!

AEW WrestleDream 2025 – AEW Dream Matches That Never Happened