Rise of the Deadman – Undertaker returns

Picture Credit: wrestlebloggers.blogspot.com

As I’ve stated many times, I got into WWF and wrestling in general because of one man, the Undertaker. I was always a huge fan of him since I was a kid, whether it was because of the intriguing supernatural aspect of his character, or just because of the legend of the Deadman. The Undertaker has entertained us for three decades and over two generations. As time passed, like a fine wine, he only got better with age. But, as it often is with people, he started getting injured more often because of the work rate he had, and his age factor wasn’t of much help.

The Undertaker is known to be the marquee name of WrestleMania. His impressive undefeated streak is the only true legendary figure in the wrestling industry. But because of his nagging injuries and surgeries, he has been coming back only during the WrestleMania period since a couple of years. Nonetheless, putting on some of the finest matches on the card (his matches with Shawn Michaels were “Match Of The Year” candidates, while his Hell In A Cell match with Triple H at last year’s WrestleMania gave a lesson to all the younger guys on how to tell a story in the ring). Simply put, Taker’s one match in the entire year generates more buzz than most of the feuds/matches, and that is nothing short of impressive, something only the legendary Undertaker can do.

So, this year was supposed to be one of the final matches of the Undertaker. The plan for this year’s match was one of the biggest feuds of the year, with Taker going toe to toe with The Straight Edge Massiah, CM Punk. The foundation for this feud was laid many months ago, with the ‘Respect’ angle of CM Punk, where he demanded respect from the fans and his peers. The original plan was for this to carry on for months till Taker finally returned, and this would culminate in their match at WrestleMania, possibly being the highlight of the mega event. Then Punk was involved in a feud with Ryback and then the Rock, and suddenly, the whole angle was dropped. And with Taker saying he would possibly not work at WrestleMania, only fuelled the suspicion that Taker won’t be participating in this year’s extravaganza.

But last night, at a live event, the phenom returned to the WWE, in what was an awe inspiring, bone chilling event. There were no rumours of a Taker return, which added to the surprise factor, and all of a sudden, the whole Internet has been abuzz with the return of the Deadman, and about his participation at this year’s Wrestlemania, and who he would face, would the next 6 weeks of TV be enough to build a feud, and so on.

I personally feel 6 weeks of TV is more than enough to build a good feud. They have two episodes every week (One being RAW and the other being SmackDown!) to build and hype the feud. Even so, it is still a rumour and pure speculation that the Undertaker would face CM Punk at WrestleMania. If WWE wanted to make it a Taker – Punk affair, they can easily do it, with Punk claiming WWE isn’t fair, and that he deserves respect. The lead up to the feud would be like this: Punk faces Cena this week for the Number 1 contender spot at WrestleMania for the WWE title, and Punk loses to Cena. As Cena celebrates, a distraught Punk claims the WWE has conspired against him, and that he is the biggest name in the WWE. Just then, the lights go off and the all too familiar sound of the gong is heard throughout the arena.

If the WWE doesn’t want to take this path, it would be easier for them to book Punk – Cena – Rock at WrestleMania in a three way for the WWE title, and find some other opponent for the Undertaker. It can be anyone from Sheamus to Orton (A Orton heel turn is in the works, so this would be a great way to turn him heel), although it’s highly unlikely that the WWE will take this way. It is all but confirmed that if the Taker works WrestleMania, it will be against CM Punk.

So it will be an interesting couple of weeks in the WWE as we head towards WrestleMania. Already confirmed are Cena – Rock and Jack – ADR’s situation will be revealed on Monday during RAW. It is also sad to see some part of the IWC claiming Taker doesn’t look fit. He’s 47 years old, had multiple surgeries and shouldn’t even be working any more matches. But the fact that he still goes out for the fans even though he doesn’t have to, earns him all the respect. He had worked his butt off for over two decades for the fans, to give them a moment like no one else, and that should be respected. I, for one, am looking forward to what will happen this Monday.

Also, there have been rumours running around that this year’s WrestleMania might very well be Undertaker’s last. If that is the case, like I mentioned in ‘Rise of Punk’, it makes all the sense in the world to me for Taker to put over Punk while going out. Taker is undeniably the most respected star in the wrestling world, and he always puts the business ahead of himself. I understand the sentiments of the fans, being one of the biggest Undertaker fans myself, but Punk beating Taker at WrestleMania will make Punk the biggest name in the wrestling business, and will quadruple his stake in the industry since his ‘Pipe bomb’ promo. And that can only be good for the business. Imagine what would have happened if there was no ‘Summer of Punk’ in the WWE? We would still have Cena with the WWE title, defending it every month and defeating all his opponents, and all the fans would have been crying and cringing for a change in the WWE. Change is not something that you have to like, but have to take notice of. Punk defeating the Undertaker at Wrestlemania is not something that will get a positive response from all the fans, but will definitely set the wrestling world on fire, getting a lot of mainstream attention and a lot of buzz, which in my books, is a good thing.

A little story of Undertaker’s love for business.