After 20 Wrestlemania wins, the undertaker has beaten just about everybody there is to beat. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Big Show, Kane, Randy Orton, Edge, Batista, the list goes on and on. The last four years in particular have been some of the greatest battles in the history of the WWE, facing Shawn Michaels twice, ending his career the second time, before doing battle with possibly the best of all time, the one and only Game, Triple H, first in a no holds barred match, and then inside Hell in a Cell, in what was a brutal, emotionally charged war between two of the greatest to step in the ring, that I don‘t hesitate for a moment in saying was one of the greatest matches I‘ve ever seen. Realistically, The Undertaker is 47 and probably only has two or three big matches left in him. So who should those matches be against? These are my top 5 candidates:
1. Kane
I can’t think of a more fitting opponent for the Undertaker to do battle one last time with than the big red machine himself, his brother Kane. These two have had one of the most historic, brutal, and just plain greatest rivalries in the history of WWE, and if Wrestlemania XXIX turned out to be the deadman’s last, I can’t think of a more appropriate opponent than the devil’s favourite demon himself. With good booking, and a lengthy, epic build-up, this could be the perfect send off for the deadman. It should be Kane.
2. Triple H
After two incredible battles at the previous two ‘manias, perhaps there’s just nothing lift for these two warriors to give. But I remember The Undertaker saying something very telling to Triple H before their first battle at Wrestlemania 27: “If the time ever comes to put me down, you’d be the man I would want to do it… but it isn’t that time yet”. Could this be a foreshadowing of a third act in this epic rivalry? And if so, after the last two incredible matches, is there anyone who wouldn’t want to see the Deadman and the Game do battle one last time?
3. John Cena
Cena and the Undertaker have never done battle at Wrestlemania. Cena is almost always chasing the WWE championship, but if these two were to get it on at Wrestlemania 29, I can guarantee that it would be a show stealing match. The Undertaker was born to steal the show at Wrestlemania, and whether or not you like Cena, the fact is that, if given the right opponent, Cena can deliver huge performances, his matches against Triple H and Shawn Michaels at previous ‘manias are ample evidence of that. Another interesting factor is the Cena lovers desperately hoping for Cena to end the streak, and fans of the Deadman (including myself) desperately hoping that he doesn’t. If the WWE does chose to end the Undertaker’s streak at this point, and I would be shocked if they do, Cena is the man who would do it, and I’m not a Cena lover, I’m just a realist. Putting the result aside however, one thing is for sure: The main event of Wrestlemania XXIX, John Cena vs. The Undertaker, would tear the house down.
4. The Rock
Much has been made of the Rock’s ‘mania victories over Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold and John Cena, and the potential angle for Wrestlemania XXIX is pretty much staring WWE in the face: The Rock decides that he wants to add the Phenom to that list, a feud ensues… profit? The current thinking is that The Rock will face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 29, but if not, The Rock vs. The Undertaker would no doubt be a great match, maybe not with as much potential as the top 3, but WWE could do a lot with the build up, given how great these 2 are on the mic, in addition to just how plain iconic they are.
5. Brock Lesnar
Well… here comes the pain. Lesnar and the Deadman have plenty of history, they’ve been in Hell in a Cell matches, biker chain matches, in addition to supposedly having real life issues. Lesnar could play the heel role very well going into Wrestlemania XXIX, challenging the undertaker, wanting to end the streak for no better reason than just to assert his dominance, wanting to end it, just because he can. The only reason Lesnar isn’t higher is because the feud might struggle to build traction. Lesnar only needs to appear a limited number of times over the next year according to his contract, and the undertaker appears less and less every year. Nevertheless, it’s a rivalry that began almost a decade ago, and could be an instant classic.
It’s become almost impossible to think about Wrestlemania without also thinking about the Undertaker. He and his mythical streak have become so hallowed, that when the Phenom finally does call it a day, the customary Undertaker match will be a massive omission on a Wrestlemania card, Wrestlemania, and indeed WWE will never be the same. Ultimately the day will come soon, so let us cherish what few great moments the deadman has left to give us. After the career that the Undertaker has had, nobody deserves more than him to Rest… In… Peace.
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