The Undertaker Streak
 

So, I was thinking.

There hasn't been enough fanfare for this to truly be Shawn Michaels' final hurrah. Ric Flair's "Career Threatening Match" storyline went on for like 3 months until HBK put him down. The HBK/Undertaker angle has been going on for about that long, but the retirement schtick is kind of new. It seems unlikely that HBK will retire at WrestleMania 26.

On the other hand, it seems equally unlikely that Undertaker is going to drop his undefeated streak. If there were a time to do it, perhaps it would be now, against one of the greatest of all time, or perhaps the time is best saved for later when it can be used to build a true up-and-comer, or perhaps the time is best not to come at all. Either way, the odds of Undertaker LOSING at a WrestleMania are extremely poor.

So, what about a time limit draw?

Both guys give it their all and make it to the 30 minute mark. The bell sounds, maybe right after Sweet Chin Music or right after Undertaker locks in the Triangle Choke, and the match is called as a draw. HBK doesn't have to retire, Undertaker keeps his undefeated streak intact (though mildly tarnished), and the fans get to witness a 30 minute masterpiece.

Thoughts?

Just thought of this:

HBK goes into hiding after WrestleMania, embarrassed that he couldn't defeat the Undertaker, but returns at Summerslam for a third and final rematch, which he then wins.

Undertaker: 1, HBK: 1, Undefeated streak is intact, and we get three classic HBK/UT matches. Everyone is happy.

<font color=goldenrod>No way does their WM match end in a draw, especially since last year's went over 30 minutes I believe. Ending it in a draw would cause a near-riot.</font>

It's not like Taker could have said last fall, "Well, I'm gonna pussyfoot around for a few months and if I decide to take you on, oh yeah, your career is on the line." They now have a month for the build up.

It shouldn't be compared to the Flair storyline anyway. Retirements in professional wrestling are seldom permanent.

Something tells me that this is honestly HBK's last match.

I also don't think he's going to get a sendoff the next night on RAW either. Ever since HBK has come back in 2002, he hasn't needed to be in the main event and hasn't needed to be in title matches. It would seem very fitting to me if HBK let his last match speak for itself and be the final visual that we have of HBK as an in-ring performer.

I can see them going on last, Taker wins with a third Tombstone. Taker leaves the ring uncharacteristcally without the lights going out and just simply leaves the ring, nodding his head at Shawn and his efforts. The focus is then on Shawn, who is finally starting to get up. I can see the announcers not saying a word, and HBK just looking around at the stadium as he gets a standing ovation. I just see HBK closing his eyes, dropping to his knees (ala WM12) and Mania going off the air.

Ok, that was a bit descriptive, but that's my take.

That would be a very sad end to WrestleMania 26.

You're right, they did go over 30 minutes last time. But it wouldn't be unlike the WWE to "forget" details like that and enforce a 30 minute time limit at this year's show.

I think it would actually be a very classic ending to the match. Back in the day, main event matches would often go to the time limit and it helped to make both wrestlers seem that much more powerful and the battle that much more epic. I think if done correctly they could pull it off, especially with two masters in the ring like Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.

And if not a draw ending, then what IS the ending going to be? Undertaker loses his streak, or HBK retires? Neither seems at all likely.

I understand where you're coming from, but if Taker/HBK goes to a draw, Taker might as well just lose. So he'd be 17-0-1? That blemish might as well result in a loss.

Something also tells me that this is HBK's last match because kayfabe wise, this is all that he has left to do. Granted, a storyline has gone back on its word a million times in wrestling, but to me, just the way this is being drawn out, this is HBK's last match.

Also, I think their would be a huge fan backlash if a match like this ended in a draw, given the fact that both wrestlers have something huge to lose, and if neither of them lost a thing, it would be frustrating for the viewers.

This match is really intriguing because if HBK loses now, nothing matters for his character. No world title, no other matches, nothing. He either beats Taker or he retires. That makes me think HBK has to win. But then again, I think the WWE wants to keep the streak going forever.

I honestly have no clue what will happen and I think this is the most excited I have been for a wrestling match since Rock vs Hogan

I was thinking that the match would end in some sort of bullshit Double DQ/CO, allowing both to take the time off that they need, then to have a final "HBK Career vs. Undertaker Career vs. The Streak" match at Wrestlemania 27 next year....

I think it should be a messy finish. Because A I don't want The Streak to end. And B I don't see HBK permanently retiring from WWE.

The news boards say HBK and Taker both will take time off after Wrestlemania.

This wouldn't bother me...

After an insane match they are brawling on the outside and in an extremely dramatic fashion Taker is able to slide in before the 10 count and Michaels gets counted out.

Or some sort of Dusty finish like HBK cheats to beat the Undertaker and another official comes out an reverses the decision.

This sets up either a Summerslam rematch or (preferable to me) another Wrestlemania rematch next year that would conclude both or one of their careers.

Great minds think alike!

Time limit draws in a match this big only matter if its 1 hour. 30 minutes is good for TV or a smaller match/feud.

Jesus Christ. Countout in a Streak vs Career match AT WRESTLEMANIA? How is that remotely a good or practical idea. Blows my mind that people would even consider this.

yea, you can't do that in today's times. That would of been fine in 1989, but not today.

hhh will screw hbk at mania (possible motive maybe the superkick from the rumble). End of dx. shawn goes on a break /retirement thing. Taker just goes away for a while. Hhh vs michaels at summerslam

I could actually see Triple H costing Shawn Michaels the match. I don't think the Sweet Chin Music would be motive. It'd probably have more to do with where HBK's focus is. But that makes Triple H sound like an attention-starved child. Maybe it's a combination of HBK's focus and the WWE Championship? Removing HBK from the playing field certainly won't make the talent pool on RAW thicker, would it?

But I loved the suggestion someone had in another thread -- and that HBK loses here, and then uses the loss to turn heel. Creatively, I think that is the best way to go with it. Let Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker even work together at Extreme Rules. That could boost the buyrate of that PPV, and could be a way for them to write out both characters for a little while.

If this awesome story between Undertaker and HBK shifted and focused on Triple H, I'll be one upset wrestling fan.

I'd love it if they shifted focus onto Triple H.

Time limit draw for the biggest match on a wrestlemania card, is not going to happen. Would be a massive "fuck you" to the fans.

Also, I said it in the other thread. Micheals can go full on heel by losing, and then breaking his word to continue feuding with taker.

That's right, it was Fignuts that said it. Definitely a good idea, in my opinion.