As usual I am not writing from the perspective of popular opinion but I think someone needs to make a few points from the other side. Like most of us blogging on the subject, my professional wrestling worldview doesn’t allow me to get excited about watching Taker at WrestleMania without The Streak.
[adinserter block=”1″]From a storyline perspective the return of the Deadman should be to avenge his loss to Brock Lesnar as Mr. Gargiulo has pointed out multiple times. I personally think he should have retired with The Streak. Yet here we are, approaching WrestleMania 31 where the Undertaker is scheduled to face Bray Wyatt. A superstar who has lost more big feuds than he has won. I realize I am not doing a very good job presenting my case but stay with me on this. To quote the Rolling Stones “You can’t always get what you want.”
In a recent interview Shawn Michaels commented on the current product’s PG rating. The comment starts off with Michaels mentioning how the WWE (WWF) had a PG type rating when it went main stream with Hulk Hogan in the 80’s and then finished with this quote. “I always have to say that ultimately everything is done more for the bottom line of making a profit. WWE is more profitable if it appeals to more people.” That statement should remind us that the WWE is a for-profit company whose sole purpose is to make money. Which means at its core all of its decisions are made with that goal in mind. So there must be money somewhere in this match.
Nostalgia
The Undertaker’s character spans multiple generations, spending the better part of 25 years at the top the card. The only person do it longer, Hulk Hogan. I was 10 years old when the Undertaker made his debut and today he is my seven year olds favorite wrestler even though he has only seen him in one live match. His aura and entrance are almost worth the price of admission alone. Having the Undertaker perform at WrestleMania is going to sell more PPV’s, generate more WWE Network subscribers, and sell T-shirts. Those of us who have been watching him for 25 years will still tune in because we don’t want to miss an icons final match. Sure the Undertaker is 21-1 at WrestleMania but I am 22-0 in watching the Undertaker perform at WrestleMania. No matter who he faces at WrestleMania, the aura and nostalgia of the Undertaker will instantly increase revenue.
Passing the torch
I am expecting the Undertaker to put Wyatt over at WrestleMania. All good things must come to an end and the show must go on. It makes sense that as Taker makes his exit he hands the ball off to young up and comer. Lesnar was the right guy to break the streak but he isn’t the future of the company. Now passing the torch in this instance doesn’t mean the Wyatt becomes the man but a good match and a victory over the Undertaker will lift Wyatt’s character credibility. It also strengthens Wyatt’s character as the “eater of worlds” becomes the new face of darkness in the WWE. He will never be the Undertaker but he will ensure that lights will still go out each week as darkness and evil slowly descend upon the ring and the helpless soul waiting inside. Bray Wyatt is to the Undertaker as John Cena is to Hulk Hogan.
Winning still has value
The Undertaker is 21-1 at WrestleMania with his only loss coming against arguably the most dominate wrestler to ever step into the ring. Prior to that match he threw down with the Shield, defeated CM Punk, as well as Shawn Michael and Triple H twice. He may not be the Phenom of old, but he isn’t jobbing for every superstar on the roster like Kane and the Big Show. A Wyatt win will only strengthen his character and it won’t diminish the Undertakers. For the WWE it’s a win/win situation. If these guys can put on a good match, it could be the moment that solidifies Wyatt in the main event conversation.
Wyatt is now
I think this is the biggest reason why this match makes sense. For many of us we remember the moment the Undertaker came on the scene. The mystery partner for Ted Debiase’s Survivor Series team. It was an awe inspiring moment that that has been in my brain since I was 10. 25 years from now my son might remember the day the Bray Wyatt became the darkness. The day that not only the Undertaker’s soul fell but the day the Wyatt ascended.
[adinserter block=”2″]One of the biggest critiques of the current WWE regime is the inability to create dominate superstars. I think that is why they need this match to be good. Lesnar vs Reigns is marked with UFC rumors and fan rejection. The ladder match for the IC title is full of controversy with the likes of Ziggler and Bryan still being held out of the main event, along with the ineffective use of Dean Ambrose. Rollins is hated but he is becoming stale as he is just sort of standing around with his briefcase and Orton is just Orton. Then you have Wyatt and a match all to himself. No controversy, no backlash, no other superstars to share the spot light with. He is going to be expected to carry the match because Taker can no longer carry it himself. He is getting an opportunity to steal the spotlight without all the distractions, twitter rants, and Yes chants. He isn’t billed as the next big thing or marked as the chosen successor to John Cena. Yet he is in a match that could be the foundation for his career and create the superstar that WWE desperately needs. A match the truly embraces WWE NOW, THEN, FOREVER.
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need
WWE: The Destruction of the Shield
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I think the questionable booking has made it easy to criticize all the booking. I am a huge fan of the streak, but seriously how many of those opponents were top notch? Only about 50% of them and the streak didn’t even really pick up steam until Shawn Michaels made a big deal about. That isn’t taking anything from Taker, arguable the best character of all time. But I think the Streak took on a life of it’s own. This is the match I am looking forward to possibly the most. Thanks for the comment.
Good piece man…..it dawned on me a few weeks ago…when Wyatt came out to Taker’s theme in a casket at Fastlane that….the way they have it set up now is perfect for the very reason you speak of here. A win by Wyatt that effectively ends the career of the dark soul that preceded him, does SO MUCH more in my eyes for him than simply ending the streak woulda done.
I mean yeah, the guy that ended the streak would go down in the history books, but to end a legendary, perhaps never seen again in our lifetimes run? That’s much bigger and will be remembered much longer IMO and can be used for a long time to come to really elevate the character to new heights.
So many have said, that this match has come a year too late, but I beg to differ. It’s right on time to me….and that’s not even counting the fact that if the streak was still in play there is NO WAY you could have some of the promos Wyatt has delivered in the last few months leading up to this. Those could only be done after Taker has been shown to be vulnerable, human…as the WM30 loss accomplished. Without that….there’s a lot less of a story to tell here, the streak would overshadow it. With that gone….it has allowed Wyatt to do what he does best. It just wouldn’t work the same if it was done the other way around I don’t think.
So yeah, from my perspective….as much as WWE has made questionable decisions in booking in many facets in recent years, I don’t see this as one of them. This one they got right.