Who will Undertaker face at Wrestlemania 28?

**Fox** · 07-26-2011, 02:09 AM

If this is indeed Taker's last WrestleMania outing then it's going to be an interesting situation. Most people seem to be under the impression that the streak is going to hit 20-0 and then Taker will retire with his undefeated run intact - it does seem like the most logical thing to do. But there is still the slight possibility that someone COULD break the streak and send Taker packing at 19-1. That's the first hurdle that has to be crossed when considering Taker's WM opponent: do they win, or do they lose? This makes a huge difference.

No matter what, it's got to be a huge match. Taker vs Mark Henry or Taker vs Kane Part 3 or Taker vs Great Khali just aren't going to cut it - this match has to deliver in every aspect, most importantly: drawing power and in-ring work rate. We expect a legendary build and a classic match, and frankly, Undertaker deserves nothing less after his amazing career. The problem is going to be that for this to truly feel like the end of the Undertaker's run, the match has to feel bigger than Undertaker/HBK 1&2 and Undertaker/Triple H - that is a huge feat to accomplish.

It's either got to be a massive legend, returning to face the Deadman (Austin, Sting, Kurt Angle) or someone who is still young and fresh and who has proven that they are a major player in the future of the WWE. Sheamus is a possibility, but I don't know if Sheamus/Undertaker has that "legendary finale" feel that the match needs, and it's certainly not bigger than Taker's last 3 Mania's. Taker/Bryan is the same problem, and same goes for matches against guys like The Miz and Wade Barrett; they're amazing performers and clearly they're the future of the company, but they aren't on the level to stand against Undertaker at WrestleMania and make it "mean something."

CM Punk is a possibility. Right now he's red hot, but who knows where he's going to be come WrestleMania time. A storyline where Punk wants to outshine Cena/Rock by defeating Undertaker at Mania basically writes itself, and the promos and build up would be legendary thanks to Punk's amazing mic work. The match itself would be a great one to see, but I'm not 100% convinced that Punk could be taken as a legitimate threat to Undertaker's streak. He's one of the best wrestlers in the world, but he hasn't been showcased in the WWE as a truly threatening character.

Orton is another possibility, but I'm not sure if the build is there. What's the storyline here? Orton just wants to do what HBK and Triple H couldn't do and end Taker's streak? It feels weak. I also don't see it as any kind of major moment if Taker were to beat Orton at WrestleMania. The match just doesn't have that "Big time match up" feel to it.

Maybe Jericho, but only if he were a heel, and once again, I think we have the same problem with Jericho that we have with Punk. He's one of the best wrestlers in the world, but he hasn't been developed in the WWE as someone who could truly be a threat to Taker's undefeated streak.

Hard to make a call on this right now, but it's definitely interesting to speculate.

07-26-2011, 02:09 AM	#11
Fox "Ask him!" Posts: 10,075	If this is indeed Taker's last WrestleMania outing then it's going to be an interesting situation. Most people seem to be under the impression that the streak is going to hit 20-0 and then Taker will retire with his undefeated run intact - it does seem like the most logical thing to do. But there is still the slight possibility that someone COULD break the streak and send Taker packing at 19-1. That's the first hurdle that has to be crossed when considering Taker's WM opponent: do they win, or do they lose? This makes a huge difference. No matter what, it's got to be a huge match. Taker vs Mark Henry or Taker vs Kane Part 3 or Taker vs Great Khali just aren't going to cut it - this match has to deliver in every aspect, most importantly: drawing power and in-ring work rate. We expect a legendary build and a classic match, and frankly, Undertaker deserves nothing less after his amazing career. The problem is going to be that for this to truly feel like the end of the Undertaker's run, the match has to feel bigger than Undertaker/HBK 1&2 and Undertaker/Triple H - that is a huge feat to accomplish. It's either got to be a massive legend, returning to face the Deadman (Austin, Sting, Kurt Angle) or someone who is still young and fresh and who has proven that they are a major player in the future of the WWE. Sheamus is a possibility, but I don't know if Sheamus/Undertaker has that "legendary finale" feel that the match needs, and it's certainly not bigger than Taker's last 3 Mania's. Taker/Bryan is the same problem, and same goes for matches against guys like The Miz and Wade Barrett; they're amazing performers and clearly they're the future of the company, but they aren't on the level to stand against Undertaker at WrestleMania and make it "mean something." CM Punk is a possibility. Right now he's red hot, but who knows where he's going to be come WrestleMania time. A storyline where Punk wants to outshine Cena/Rock by defeating Undertaker at Mania basically writes itself, and the promos and build up would be legendary thanks to Punk's amazing mic work. The match itself would be a great one to see, but I'm not 100% convinced that Punk could be taken as a legitimate threat to Undertaker's streak. He's one of the best wrestlers in the world, but he hasn't been showcased in the WWE as a truly threatening character. Orton is another possibility, but I'm not sure if the build is there. What's the storyline here? Orton just wants to do what HBK and Triple H couldn't do and end Taker's streak? It feels weak. I also don't see it as any kind of major moment if Taker were to beat Orton at WrestleMania. The match just doesn't have that "Big time match up" feel to it. Maybe Jericho, but only if he were a heel, and once again, I think we have the same problem with Jericho that we have with Punk. He's one of the best wrestlers in the world, but he hasn't been developed in the WWE as someone who could truly be a threat to Taker's undefeated streak. Hard to make a call on this right now, but it's definitely interesting to speculate.