Getting Ready to Rumble: Potential 2019 Royal Rumble Winners- The Undertaker

In this new series, we assess the chances of the entrants in the 2019 Royal Rumble matches.

Last time, we looked at a Legend Killer, Randy Orton.

This time, we look at the chances of a living legend, none other than The Dead Man himself, The Undertaker.

The Undertaker is perhaps the most iconic WWE superstar of all time. In a career spanning more than 28 years, he has left the WWE universe awestruck, and struck fear in the hearts of all of his opponents. He has won 7 World Championships and main-evented 4 WrestleManias. Most impressive of all was his 21-0 undefeated streak at WrestleMania; a feat that has never been replicated before, and will likely never be replicated again. Indeed, in the last 5-6 years of his streak, a match against him at WrestleMania meant more than either World Championship match.

The Undertaker has won the Royal Rumble match before; he did so in 2007.

12 years later, can he repeat that feat, and become the 8th man to win 2 Royal Rumble matches?

Let's find out.

Case for The Undertaker winning 2019 Men's Royal Rumble match

The Phenom

The Undertaker is going to have a prominent role to play at WrestleMania 35; that much is not up for debate. WrestleMania is synonymous with him at this point. He would not have destroyed John Cena in a squash match at WrestleMania 34 if he did not have plans to wrestle at WrestleMania 35. A Royal Rumble victory would be a fine, fine way to set the ball rolling on those plans.

The Undertaker is beloved by WWE fans everywhere and is still a massive draw. He recently main-evented super-shows in Saudi Arabia, and Australia and proved that nobody commands a ring quite like him. The reflexes may be slower, and the wear and tear is showing; but he still has that Undertaker aura about him.

There are no downsides to him winning the match; he is a beloved legend that will bring loads of eyeballs to the product. He is going to have a special role at WrestleMania regardless; why not make it one last tilt at a World Championship?

Case against The Undertaker winning 2019 Men's Royal Rumble match

Does he really need the win?

The prize for winning the Royal Rumble match is a championship match against a champion of the winner's choosing at WrestleMania.

The Undertaker has not held a world championship since February 2010; almost 9 years ago. He has not been in a world championship match since he was buried alive by Kane, at Bragging Rights in 2010. Consider that for a moment. 9 years.

Through those 9 years, The Undertaker has remained relevant. He has arguably done more than that; his mystique and aura have increased over these 9 years. In many ways, The Undertaker has transcended world championships. He is The Undertaker. At this stage in his career, a match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania means more than any world championship match.

The greatest case against The Undertaker winning the 2019 men's Royal Rumble match is the fact that he doesn't need to. At the end of the day, he will still be The Undertaker.

Who would he challenge at WrestleMania 35?

The Phenom versus The Phenomenal One

Daniel Bryan lost out on this one by virtue of a coin toss.

Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles are two of the greatest wrestlers of all time. They can have excellent matches with anybody. They are also both massive stars in their own right.

At this stage of his career, The Undertaker's opponents need to have two features.

The first is blockbuster star-power. Because he is such a big star, The Undertaker can overshadow his opponent completely if they do not have sufficient star-power. Look at the case of Rusev and Aiden English at the Royal Rumble.

The second, arguably less important feature, is wrestling ability. The Undertaker isn't going to have technical classics at this point of his career. He isn't going to carry anybody to great matches either. His body is too broken down. However, he is still The Undertaker. He still has the aura. His psychology remains as good as ever. All he needs is a ring general.

AJ Styles fills both those criteria. He is one of the WWE's biggest stars, and one of the greatest wrestlers on earth.

The Phenom versus The Phenomenal One. For the WWE Championship. At WrestleMania.

The Verdict: If he wants to have one last tilt at a world championship, he will win the match.