By Shawn Valentino, PWTorch Specialist

Last week, I put together a dream card of matches between WWE and TNA. I feel it was a pretty strong lineup, but nothing compared to the potential supercard that could have taken place at the peak of the Monday Night War. We can only imagine the unbelievable excitement that the two rosters battling it out during the most popular era in wrestling history would have generated. There was never a time where two companies had such a loaded lineup of talent. Today, I will present the ultimate dream card of all dream cards, the WWF versus the WCW in 1997, the best year of the Monday Night War time period.

Bret "The Hitman" Hart versus Chris Benoit

The greatest wrestlers to come out of the Dungeon face off in a showcase of technical ability. This match would have historical significance because of their Canadian roots and friendship growing up, and would also deliver in the ring. Hart had his best match of his ill-fated WCW career against Benoit so they have a proven track record against each other. In 97, Hart was at his peak, both as a worker as well as a character. He could play the heel here and Benoit would be the hero. Yes, I realize how ridiculous that sounds. Stu Hart would be proud of this in-ring clinic.

Owen Hart versus Curt Hennig

Speaking of Hart, this would be another match of two spectacular technicians in the ring. Who could have imagined at the time that within a few short years, that neither one of this great wrestlers would be alive. Hennig was past his prime at the time but was still a smart worker that could put on a great match if asked. Owen was not quite at his best either but still had the athletic skills and ability. These two had faced off at a previous Wrestlemania but it was at a time where workrate was not stressed in WWF. Put Hart and Hennig in the ring in 97, where the ability to put on good matches was far more important, and they could have had the showstealing match of the night.

The Outsiders versus The New Age Outlaws

In an era where edgy characters that blurred lines between good and bad ruled, this would have been a really fun match. Both teams were heels, but each had highly entertaining personalities and were the type of bad guys that got cheered. Hall and Nash were the catalysts behind WCW taking over the Monday Night War, and the Outlaws uniting with DX were one of the main reasons momentum shifted back to the WWF. Unlike the two matches above, this would not be a technical extravaganza, but more of a spectacle between arguable the top tag teams in each company during the era.

"The Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman versus Rey Mysterio

Two of the most exciting young wrestlers at the time would have been able to put on the athletic display of the night. Pillman and Mysterio brought a more exciting, agile style to American wrestling. Mysterio was breathtaking to watch at the time, and The Loose Cannon would have been a perfect foil to he likable kid-friendly Rey. Put these two in the ring together and magic would have happened.

Hunter Hearst Helmsley versus "Nature Boy" Ric Flair

A match-up between a young Triple H and Flair just coming off his prime years would indeed be a fascinating one. As the legend goes, Triple H idolized Flair growing up, so the chance to face his favorite wrestler at a turning point in his career would have been a huge opportunity for him. Hunter was just coming into his own with the cocky DX character in 97 while Flair was still leader of the Four Horsemen. The two factions could also add an interesting dynamic in this one, as the Horsemen were the top stable of the eighties and DX was the hip, edgy new version in the nineties. Helmsley minus Stephanie and the massive political power against one of the greatest legends of them all would have been one of the most interesting aspects of this card.

The Giant versus Psycho Sid

I do not even want to explain this one. It is just an excuse to put two larger than life characters of the time together in the ring. They would get less than a minute to display their "skills."

"Marvelous" Mark Mero & Sable versus Diamond Dallas Page & Kimberly

This is another match that may not be a groundbreaking depiction of athleticism, but more of a fun match that included some of the more dynamic characters of the time. Sable was coming into her own as a major deal in the WWF. DDP was also a huge star at the time, and he did various things well. He was enormously over as a face feuding against Savage. Mero was injured and not at his athletic peak but had great chemistry on television bullying Sable. It would be really interesting to see his interactions with Kim as well. This match would be an excuse to put the two sex symbols of the respective companies on the show.

"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels versus Eddie Guerrero

What a shame that these two never got a chance to wrestle. In early 1997, both of these in-ring geniuses were at their athletic peak and could put on a great match against a flower pot if called upon. Each had their roots in Mexican Lucha-style wrestling. Additionally, they could combine their aerial skills with timing and psychology like nearly nobody else. Eddie had great matches against Rey at the time and HBK was having very good matches against Undertaker. Put these two in the ring together and something truly special would have taken place.

Sting versus Undertaker

This was another obvious stand-out in the pantheon of great matchups fans dream of. Incredibly, at the time, Sting got over huge when he stopped talking and became a gimmick performer, while Taker took his star to a new level by slowly improving his skills in the ring. The two creatures of the night would find a way to make it a splendid feud that ends up putting both wrestlers over. This match would be mainly a spectacle contest, and their entrances would create a surreal atmosphere. The fact that I had this match on my TNA Dream Card shows the stamina and longevity of these two timeless performers.

"The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith versus Bill Goldberg

This would be the proverbial irresistible force facing off against the immovable object. Both were over-sized muscleheads with incredible strength. Bulldog was a decent worker so he may have led Goldberg to a passable match. Since this was 97 however, and it was the start of the phenomenon of Goldberg, this would best be booked as a short squash match that would make the crowd happy.

Randy "Macho Man" Savage versus The Rock

The two most colorful characters in wrestling at the time would have likely given us the most entertaining match of the night. The promos between the wacky Savage and the elitist Maivia would be worth the price of admission alone. The Rock was coming into his own, while Macho had a bit of gas left in his tank. This would put the Flying Elbow up against the People's Elbow in a battle for the ages.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan versus "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

This would be the obvious main event. In 1997, Austin was ascending to unheard of heights of popularity and doing so with a grassroots following that expanded to a point where he was one of the hottest acts in any form of entertainment during the time period. At the same time, Hogan was at his peak as the arrogant, egotistical leader of the NWO. This would be a battle between the two biggest draws in the history of wrestling at a turning point in the wrestling wars. Since this card is one from my dreams, it would take place before Austin's neck injury, when he was a tremendous worker and great athlete. He could carry Hogan to a solid match in the ring that would be surrounded by a frenzied atmosphere. These two will likely never have a match and that is why this is the wrestling fan's ultimate dream match.

Please send questions, comments and feedback to valentino.torch@gmail.com

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt