Will Undertaker wrestle for the last time at WrestleMania XXX?
Undertaker WM XXX
Last weekend some WWE sources revealed that The Undertaker has agreed to wrestle at WrestleMania XXX. It’s a good news for the fans but speculations are being made that it might be Taker’s last match, and after that he’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year. These speculations can come true as The Phenom, turning 49 before the PPV, is on the verge of a full retirement. But, at times wrestlers like Sting (54) fill us with the belief that one can wrestle even after turning 50, so we can maintain our hopes to see Taker wrestle beyond WrestleMania. Taker still has 2 or 3 fights left in him, but for how long will he be able to maintain his health to wrestle and then do it for over 25 minutes at WrestleMania.
Soon, the WWE would even fall short of capable opponents for Taker, and the way they repeated Shawn Michaels and Triple H justifies it. In a very recent Q&A update with Jim Ross, the Hall of Famer was asked “who The Undertaker should end his career against,” his reply was: “Whoever would provide the biggest challenge, who’s the hottest, and who will sell the greatest number of PPV’s while providing the most intrigue threat.” Only a big name and whose bag is full of achievements can pose a serious threat to Taker’s streak, not just any newcomer, so The Shield is already out of the frame, though during his last appearance in the WWE Taker was involved in a feud with them, because he didn’t appear again The Shield moved on and the feud lost its way.
Many are talking about Cena as a possible opponent, and that he might actually end the streak, but no one wants to see this and I don’t see it happening at all. Cena and Taker together were never involved in a storyline before, in fact they have wrestled each other just 3 times (between 2003 and 2006) and were never involved in a big feud. All of Taker’s previous opponents have been involved in big feuds with The Phenom. Currently, Cena is involved in a WWE World Heavyweight Championship feud with Randy Orton and it would be a major surprise if he fails to win the title at Royal Rumble or/and at Elimination Chamber. And he can face Taker only when he is out of the Championship scene. So, the possibility of a Taker/Cena match at WrestleMania is very less right now.
Batista, Brock Lesnar and Kane are the other names, all three of these have been Taker’s old rivals with The Phenom already defeating two of them at WrestleMania; Batista in 2007 and Kane in 1998 and 2004. If Taker vs. Lesnar happens, a revival of their 2002 rivalry, then WrestleMania XXX is going to sell the highest number of pay-per-views, but then Lesnar is going to break Taker in half with the age and health difference between them. A Batista-Taker sequel isn’t a much attractive deal. An ideal challenger would be one who will give a tough fight to Taker, pose a threat to his streak and be able to fight for at least over 20 minutes.
WM 1998 Kane vs. Undertaker
If WWE is thinking of ending the streak, then they should give the honor to Kane, nobody deserves it more than the “big red monster,” given the history the brothers have together. Taker was the reason why Kane came into the WWE, and both created each others career and if they are about to draw curtains on his career then it should be done at the hands of Kane. But, for this to happen Kane will have to drop his corporate attire and deliver the best match of his life, but it’s all up to the creative team and Taker himself to choose his opponent.
If WrestleMania XXX is going to witness Undertaker’s last match then the match should be with an old rival, someone who can create magic with him and if WWE is planning to end the streak then no one deserves the honor more than Kane. With the great history that the “Brothers of Destruction,” have between them, it will be more comfortable to see the streak’s end at the hands of Kane rather than that of Cena.