With recent reports suggesting The Undertaker’s return is on the horizon, February 22nd on Raw, there can only be one reason: Yup, it’s that time of year once again.
Wrestlemania.
With one month, some change and a PPV in between, The Undertaker will look to set up another match of epic proportions, putting his 21-0 streak on the line against any challenger that is worthy enough of stepping into the ring with him. But there lies the problem. Who will it be? Most have their opinions on who they want in that spot. Myself, I have constructed a list of five suitable opponents.
The Undertaker’s Challenger for Wrestlemania 30
5. Roman Reigns
The last time we saw The Undertaker, he defeated Dean Ambrose in a singles match on Smackdown, via submission. What happened next would write The Undertaker off for the remainder of the year, up until this point. The Shield would storm the ring after Ambrose tapped to Hell’s Gate, turning the after party into a 3-on-1 beatdown. All three members of the Shield would set up their patented Triple Powerbomb and leave the Undertaker laying motionless in the ring as Smackdown went off the air.
With Dean Ambrose currently holding the United States Championship, there should be no question that he’ll be defending it at Wrestlemania. Seth Rollins? If he has a match at Wrestlemania, it could involve a member of the Wyatt family, perhaps even Bray Wyatt. Maybe Ambrose doesn’t defend his Championship and he teams with Rollins to take on Erick Rowan and Luke Harper. The possibilities are quite numerous.
But where does that leave Roman Reigns, a superstar that has seen his stock rise over the last couple of months? Reigns is involved with the Wyatts at the moment, alongside the rest of the Shield, but who’s to say he won’t be free for Wrestlemania? From Royal Rumble runner up to challenging the streak at Wrestlemania, THAT would put Roman Reigns on the map.
4. John Cena
I heard the groan coming out of everyone reading this. Hear me out.
At this point late last year, Cena seemed like the one of the most probable opponents to challenge the streak. With his recent involvement with The Authority, Randy Orton and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in particular, his hands may be full. I am a firm believer that Randy Orton is your man to take the Championship to Wrestlemania and face Batista.
Fantasy booking ahead, with Cena now out of the Championship picture, he’ll need something to do. The very first thing that pops into mind is the Wyatts, the trio of bearded savages that have attacked John Cena for no good reason. But, maybe there is a reason…
Remember Bray Wyatt’s statement; “He made me do it.” Who exactly is He? A higher power of some sort? Another “What if?” scenario, but what if He is The Undertaker and the Wyatts are his henchmen? With the Wyatts involved with the Shield, John Cena is left wide open… for Him to attack.
3. CM Punk
Last year’s Wrestlemania saw CM Punk challenging The Undertaker’s streak, promising to end it and be the one in 20-1. To add some fuel to the fire, CM Punk used the real-life passing of The Undertaker’s friend and long-time manager Paul Bearer to taunt the Phenom on countless occasions. Ultimately Punk failed to do so and fell victim to the Tombstone, becoming one of 21-0.
Yes, Punk did leave the company out of anger and frustration. Speculation has it he is burnt out. Some say he wasn’t pleased with writing and where his character’s direction was going. What better spot to put him in than to challenge The Undertaker one more time.
Shawn Michaels got two shots, back-to-back. So did Triple H. I would be willing to bet the house on this; If you called CM Punk tomorrow and said, “You, Undertaker, Wrestlemania 30. What do you say?” Punk would be on the first flight back to the WWE. If Punk and Taker can give us an equal performance of last year’s clash, then the WWE will have a buyer in me and many others.
2. Sting
Ah yes, the one name that seems to always find it’s way into the discussion of Wrestlemania opponents for the Undertaker, coincidentally at the time Wrestlemania season rolls into town. Year in, year out, we discuss his name. The enormous weight of one question hits the shoulders of every fan in the WWE Universe — What if?
What if Sting came to the WWE? What if he faced the Undertaker at Wrestlemania? Rumors heavily circulated a few years ago that Sting was all but signed to a contract to face the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. The WWE had created a montage video of a cabin in the woods, heavy rainfall and a man walking outside, wearing a trenchcoat and black boots. Falling short of just flat-out showing his paint-covered face, the WWE made it obvious who it was. Plans fell through in the end (reportedly) and Triple H took that spot.
But, again the big question this year, what if? What if 2014 is the year?
1. Brock Lesnar
On October 23, 2010, Brock Lesnar was defeated by Cain Velasquez in the main event of UFC 121, losing his UFC Heavyweight Championship in the process. As he made his way back, bloodied and disappointed with a first round-KO loss, The Undertaker stepped in his way. Yes, the Phenom, The Undertaker was at UFC 121 on that night and he was there to see Brock Lesnar.
The Undertaker asked Lesnar just one thing; “You wanna do it?” After the two exchanged menacing stares at each other, Brock Lesnar made his way to the lockeroom without saying a thing.
Just over three years later and Brock Lesnar has found himself in a prime spot in the WWE with no opponent at Wrestlemania. It’s a story that has written itself and all that is missing is the final chapter — the climax and end to this tale.
Who do you think should receive the honor of facing The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 30? Someone on the list above? Maybe someone else you have in mind. Let us know either in the comments section below, on Facebook or on Twitter — be sure to use the #LWOS hashtag!
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Main Photo Credit: WWE.com
