Dream Sequence: The Ultimate WWE vs. TNA Dream Card

Welcome to the first ever edition of Dream Sequence.  In this new series, I will be highlighting some of the best matches that never happened and giving you all an idea of how things could potentially have gone down.  These articles are all just for fun and are not meant to be taken too seriously.

Why I chose a TNA vs. WWE showdown

There are many dream matches in pro wrestling but only one true dream card.  That's right I'm talking about a TNA vs. WWE showdown!  Imagine if the top stars from TNA began invading WWE and challenging the WWE's elite to the battle to end all battles.  Vince and Dixie then come to an agreement that they should combine forces and the first ever TNA and WWE co-presented four hour PPV extravaganza entitled "Showdown 2012" will now take place inside Madison Square Garden.  Who would challenge who for ultimate brand supremacy?  Who would ultimately win and be able to say that their company is indeed the best?  Find out how I'd book it in my first ever Dream Sequence article after the jump!

*The action is called by the announce team of Jim Ross, Mike Tenay & Jerry "The King" Lawler.  The audience is fired up and there are a sea of Black shirts with white "WWE" logos to clash with white shirts emblazoned with the letters "TNA".  There are signs for a wide array of superstars and it's got to be one of the hottest crowds ever.

Pre-Show

*Loads of hype videos for the main show play next.  There is also a hilarious bit of segments between Zack Ryder & Robbie E, and another with Santino Marella, The Funkasaurus and Eric Young that ends with Young catching the Cobra from Santino.

Bragging Rights match: Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. X Division Champion Zema Ion

Two of the most arrogant competitors in the world meet for the first time in a match that is simply about ego.  The top two secondary titles in North America are both represented by men who aren't exactly beloved by many in the wrestling world, but given the smarky nature of a New York audience, they lean towards Zema in this one.  Both men play up the storytelling with neither taking the other completely serious until the action gets more and more aggressive.  One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to underestimate your opponent and Miz never takes any "indy" wrestlers seriously and it will cost him here.  After 8 minutes of solid action, Miz goes in for the Skull Crushing Finale, only to have Ion drop down into a jawbreaker, leveling the Awesome One to the mat.  He then climbs the turnbuckle and hits his finish for the win.  (**3/4)

Zema Ion def. The Miz in 7:45 via. pinfall following a 450 splash

WWE leads the series 1 to 0

Main Card

Match 1: Dolph Ziggler vs. AJ Styles

Two of the most exciting wrestlers in the world go at it in the opener of the biggest PPV ever and they do not disappoint.  The action is fast paced and these two throw everything but the kitchen sink at each other.  The crowd hangs on every move as AJ Styels' amazingly innovative offense and Ziggler's world renowned selling make for a match made in heaven.  The show has just started and we already have our first "this is awesome!" chant.  These two have such immediate chemistry that it leaves everyone questioning if they've ever worked together before.  One notable counter comes after Ziggler attempts to go for the Zig Zag, only to be met with an amazing Pele Kick from Styles.  Styles then goes in for the Styles Clash and earns a victory for Team TNA.  (****1/4)

AJ Styles def. Dolph Ziggler in 12:51 via. pimfall following the Styles Clash

TNA and WWE are tied 1 for 1

Match 2:: Mixed Tag match: WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth and Divas Champion Eve Torres vs. TNA Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels & Kazarian and Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher

A lot of solid action in this match, with most of the highlights coming from the exchange between Kofi Kingston and Christopher Daniels.  The ladies turn in a rather surprising performance as well.  Eventually, Eve and Miss Tessamcher fall to the outside and engage in a catfight.  Truth goes for a clothesline on Kazarian, but Kaz ducks it and hits Truth with a back body drop to the outside of the ring.  He then turns right into a Trouble In Paradise from Kofi Kingston, sending him over the top rope.  Daniels then rolls Kofi up and gets the pin using the ropes as leverage.  (***)

Kazarian, Daniels & Miss Tessmacher def. Kofi, Truth & Eve in 8:39 via. pinfall following a roll-up by Christopher Daniels on Kofi Kingston

TNA leads the series 2 to 1

Match 3:: Falls Count Anywhere match: Randy Orton vs. Mr. Anderson

This one has a story that tells itself.  Before the match we are caught up to date with an awesome package.  There is Impact footage of Anderson from years ago when he claimed that "certain superstars" in the WWE did not want him to succeed.  The real life heat between Orton and Anderson is well noted by everyone in attendance and the commentators update everyone at home.  These two arrive looking more focused than ever.  Randy Orton enters the ring but before he can strike his iconic "arms pose", Anderson comes from behind with a Kendo Stick.  He immediately lays waste to Orton in a manner we've never seen before.  The viciousness of each strike reeks of hatred.  You can see it in Anderson's eyes.  This was a fight Orton was not prepared for.  Orton thought they could be professionals.  He was wrong.  They fight all through the audience trading some of the stiffest strikes ever seen.  They do battle all the way outside the arena into the parking lot where a slew of WWE and TNA talents cheer them on as this Falls Count Anywhere match has now become a Parking Lot Brawl mid-match!  All psychology goes out the window and these two start trading fists.  There is blood pouring out of both men.  They begin throwing each other off of cars.  Anderson throws Orton directly into a production truck with his face on it.  He then drags Randy onto the roof of a car and prepares to Mic Check him off onto the concrete below.  Orton counters.  RKO!!!!  A Match of the Year nominee.  (*****)

Randy Orton def. Mr. Anderson in 20:49 via. pinfall following an RKO onto the concrete

TNA and WWE are tied 2 for 2

Match 4:: Ladder match for a WWE and TNA contract: Jeff Hardy vs. Christian

With the history that both these men have with both companies, they have decided to compete in a match with one of the more unique stipulations of all time.  Both men's contracts hang from above and the first man to grab them will be declared the winner.  The loser will be forced to defect to the opposing team.  The stakes are high as Hardy enters to a thunderous chorus of boos.  The New York crowd obviously aren't fans of the idea that Hardy has been one of the more notable "ship jumpers" in either company.  Christian is overwhelmingly cheered.  This sort of reaction has Hardy rattled with a lack of focus.  There are a bunch of chairs involved, but things heat up when Hardy sets Christian up on a table and goes for a giant ladder.  He risks it all in true Jeff Hardy fashion, but NO!!! Christian moves out of the way.  Hardy crashed and burned.  It looks as if he'll be joining--

Wait a minute....

A masked man in a trenchcoat arrives as Christian dangles from the contracts.  In a move eerily reminiscent to Edge at Wrestlemania X-Seven, the masked man Spears Christian from the contracts to the floor!  The crowd erupts in boos!  The dirt sheets had rumored Edge's involvement in the match for weeks now.  There is an audible "fuck you Edge!" chant starting.  Has Edge turned on his best friend!?  The man reveals himself and it's MATT HARDY!!  The crowd pops for the reveal.  Hardy then drags a rag doll-like Jeff up the ladder, helping him to victory.  Impact is going to be must-see television this week.  (****)

Jeff Hardy def. Christian in 15:34 following interference from Matt Hardy

TNA leads the series 3 to 2

Match 5:: Phenom vs. Icon match: The Undertaker vs. Sting

This match has the crowd on the edge of their seats from the opening "gong" to the very finish.  Wrestling wise, it's by far not the best match on the card, but it doesn't even matter.  This match is about atmosphere.  The vibe is so electric that it rivals Hogan/Andre from Wrestlemania III.  There are many masterfully placed two counts that have the crowd going insane.  The drama builds until everyone can barely take it anymore.  Sting locks Taker in the Scorpion Deathlock.  This is intense.  Just as Taker appears as if he's going to tap, he turns over onto his back.  Sting has still got his arms locked on Takers legs, but Taker grabs him by the throat and pulls him in for the Hell's Gate submission.  A fantastic counter.  After damn near two minutes of suspense, Sting taps out.  (****1/4)

The Undertaker def. Sting in 17:28 via. submission following the Hell's Gate

TNA and WWE are tied 3 for 3

Match 6: Daniel Bryan vs. Kurt Angle

This match has had the Internet going insane before it ever started.  Everyone expects greatness from these two and add in the fact that they have to follow Taker/Sting, and they are under an immense amount of pressure.  There is a wide array of legends at ringside such as Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race, Pat Patterson and Bret Hart, who've all showed up just to witness this match.  They begin to grapple on the mat to start things off.  The crowd is slightly dead out of pure exhaustion at this point, but as things begin to build, they pull them more and more into the action.  Some never before seen sequences of moves have everyone reeling.  Three quarters into the match, Bryan goes for a Tiger Knee off of the turnbuckle only to have Angle catch him, roll back and lock in the Ankle Lock!  The crowd is batshit at this point.  They know they are witnessing something special.  Bryan rolls forward and counters into the NO Lock.  Angle in an amazing feat of strength, stands and hits Bryan with the Angle Slam.  1....2....NO!  The crowd begins a dueling chant of "this is wrestling" and "YES! YES! YES!".  Angle picks Bryan up, goes for another Angle Slam, Bryan counters into the NO Lock, Angle rolls out.  He's got Bryan in the Ankle Lock again, but Bryan rolls forward, sending Angle into the turnbuckle face first.  He then charges at full speed, hitting Angle with a running dropkick in the corner.  1.....2....NO!  Bryan hoists Angle up and tries to shoot Angle off into the corner, Angle counters and Bryan runs into the turnbuckle to begin his comeback.  He backflips over Angle, ducks a clothesline but Angle then hits a HUGE Belly 2 Belly suplex!  1....2...NO!   Angle drops the straps and motions for the Angle Slam one last time, Bryan counters and has got angle down to the mat and goes for a Butterfly Lock.  Angle is off guard.  He tries to stand and Bryan switches into a Guillotine Choke.  After an intense struggle Angle taps.  (*****)

Daniel Bryan def. Kurt Angle in 32:54 via. submission following the Guillotine Choke

WWE leads the series 4 to 3

*After the match, both men are awarded with a standing ovation as the crowd chants "Match of the Year!".  JR, King & Tenay all say that it's the greatest pure wrestling match they've ever seen.

Match 7:: Lethal Lockdown Hell In A Cell match: Team WWE (Co-Captain Triple H, Co-Captain WHW Champion Sheamus, Kane & Ryback) vs. Team TNA (Co-Captain Bobby Roode, Co-Captain James Storm, Bully Ray & Abyss)

Sheamus & James Storm are out to start things off.  There are weapons hanging from the ceiling of the cage.  They brawl back and forth and trade some vicious shots.   Sheamus has the advantage for most of it.  Storm tries to climb for a steel chair, but Sheamus pulls him down into a running powerslam.  Things are not looking good for James Storm right now as Sheamus has him reeling and is already signaling for the Brogue Kick.  Sheamus levels Storm and awaits the next arrival as the clock winds down.

Bobby Roode has now entered the match

Roode and Sheamus trade a fury of punches as Storm has finally regained his composure.  The two begin to pummel The Great White in the corner.  They both begin to rip his flesh with barbed wire and then throw him repeatedly into the steel and Sheamus has already began to lose a lot of blood.  This is a pretty bad sight.  The clock strikes zero.

Triple H has now entered the match

The crowd is on fire.  The Game begins throwing right hands as Roode and Storm bump for him like madmen.  Sheamus has showed no signs of recovery just yet.  After a brief flurry of offense.  Storm and Roode gain the advantage over HHH.  No one was expecting this.  Both Captains of Team WWE are incapacitated before every man has even made their way into the match.  They are in need of a major turnaround at this point.

Abyss has now entered the match

Things just go from bad to worse as the outnumbered HHH and Sheamus are being assaulted with a wide variety of weapons.  Triple H tries to make a brief comeback with a sledgehammer, but Storm hits him with a Super Kick.  All three men raise their hands into the air and to their surprise, the crowd is on their side.  It's a strange atmosphere, but people are enjoying the sight of Sheamus & Triple H being brutalized this way.  The three are now supremely confident that they've got this won.

Kane has now entered the match

The Big Red Machine has all three men a bit shaken.  Roode charges with a chair, but Kane kicks the chair into his skull.  Storm comes from behind and holds Kane's arms as Abyss charges for a clothesline.  Kane ducks it and Abyss turns Storm inside out.  Kane then Chokeslams Abyss onto a steel chair.  He taunts for another Chokeslam and then again drops Bobby Roode.

Bully Ray has now entered the match

Ray is not scared of Kane, who is now holding a steel chair.  Ray begins mouthing off as Kane charges, Ray ducks and Kane misses wildly with the chair.  Ray is crawling and finds a baseball bat.  He stands with the bat hidden behind his back and begins to plead with Kane.  Kane raises the chair, but Ray hits him in the stomach with the bat.  He tries to hit Kane over the head, but Kane blocks it.  The bat flies out of the ring.  Both men hit the ropes and level each other with a double clothesline.  Everyone is down.  The clock is getting close to zero. 

Ryback has now entered the match

All members of Team TNA begin to stumble to their feet.  Ryback runs through all of his signature moves and the crowd is eating it up.  He then hits Roode with the Shell Shock.  Just as all four men begin to overwhelm Ryback, Triple H, Kane & Sheamus come in to even the odds.  It's an all out brawl.  Kane hits Roode with a Chokeslam, Storm hits Kane with a SuperKick, Ryback takes Storm's head off with a Clothesline, he charges towards Abyss who then hits Ryback with the Black Hole Slam.  Triple H hits Abyss with the Pedigree and taunts.  The crowd is loving this.  He's won them back over.  Roode is up, Triple H gut kicks Roode and goes for the Pedigree.  Roode back body drops Triple H, reaches for the sledgehammer and knocks Triple H out cold.  Roode picks up the win for his team.  (****1/2)

Team TNA def. Team WWE in 35:18 via. pinfall following a sledgehammer to Triple H from Bobby Roode

TNA and WWE are tied 4 for 4

MAIN EVENT

Match 8:: Winner take all Elimination Tag match: WWE Champion CM Punk & John Cena vs. TNA World Champion Austin Aries & Samoa Joe

The crowd is white hot.  Punk and Joe are in the ring to start things off.  There is about 5 minutes of great action here.  Samoa Joe is in rare form.  He is every bit as good in this match as he was in 2005.  He begins to gain the advantage over Punk and tags in Aries.  Punk is being worn down and after about seven minutes, he drops Aries with a Roundhouse and crawls toward Cena.  Punk hits Cena with the hot tag!  The roar of the Cenation is only matched by Cena, who has never been more intense.  He runs through his signatures and hits Aries with a picture perfect Attitude Adjustment.  Aries kicks out!  Cena shoots Aries off the ropes, Joe hits a blind tag.  Cena clotheslines Aries out of the ring.  Joe and Cena stare down.  The anticipation is unbelievable.  Cena begins throwing right hands to Joe, the crowd boos every punch.  Joe unleashes a fury of strikes and runs through some of his most famous moves.  Joe sets Cena up for the Muscle Buster.  Cena pushes Joe back, stands on the turnbuckle and goes for a diving legdrop, but fails.  Joe locks in the Rear Naked Choke.  Cena is reeling.  Cena begins to stand up with Joe on his back in perhaps the greatest feat of strength he's ever performed.  He stumbles towards Punk with Joe on his back.  Unbelievable heart by Cena.  Joe leans back just as Punk and Cena's hands were about to touch.  They fall back to the ground.  Cena taps.

John Cena has been eliminated

Everyone is in shock, including Punk, Aries and even Joe, who has yet to release the hold, perhaps out of disbelief.  The ref forces the break, Joe argues disoriented from the shock that Cena has tapped out.  Aries is yelling for Joe to "turn around".  Joe turns right into a Go To Sleep from CM Punk.  1....2....NO!!!  A devastating kick out as Punk is now alone with his two former rivals.  Punk fights admirably, but the odds are just too much.  Joe tags in Aries, who then hits Punk with a Brainbuster.  1......2......JOE BREAKS UP THE PIN ATTEMPT.  He yells at Aries that he is the one who is going to pin Punk.  Aries says "fine" and tags Joe back in.  Joe has Punk up for the muscle buster, but Punk drops down, turns Joe around and hits him with the GTS!!!!

Samoa Joe has been eliminated

Aries charges Punk, but Punk hits Aries with a clothesline.  Punk hits another clothesline then goes for his spinning neckbreaker, but Aries counters into a neckbreaker of his own.  Aries goes to the top of the turnbuckle, but Samoa Joe sweeps his legs from under him!!! Punk climbs the turnbuckle and hits Aries with the Pepsi Plunge!!!!!  1....2....3!!!!!  (****3/4)

John Cena & CM Punk def. Samoa Joe & Austin Aries at 27:59 after Punk last eliminated Austin Aries

WWE wins the series!

*Joe raises Punk's hand as they celebrate the victory.  Punk hits the turnbuckle and exclaims "BEST IN THE WORLD!".  Joe then levels Punk with the Muscle Buster.  Vince McMahon raises Samoa Joe's hand and everyone is left in shock as the show comes to a close.