5 Superstars who were rumored to be the next Undertaker

Let's state the obvious get it out of the way. There will never be another Undertaker! The Deadman is the product you get when you combine a groundbreaking gimmick and a naturally talented performer topped off with the creative masterstrokes. It happens once in a generation; probably a lifetime.

With that being said, not only the WWE but many other promotions have tried to groom the heir of The Phenom only for them to become mere rip-offs. While they may have had successful careers in their own rights, these rumored Undertakers just couldn't recreate the inimitable aura of the WWE legend.

However, a couple of names on this list still have the time to prove the critics wrong and could take over the mantle from the Undertaker:

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#5 Ricky Banderas

Judas Mesias thankfully became Mil Muertes

The 6'1" Puerto Rican wrestler may not be a widely known face as he is best remembered for dawning the mask of Mil Muertes in Lucha Underground.

Many don't know that the former Lucha Underground Champion was signed up by TNA in 2007 in the hopes of making him a 'supernatural' star. He made his in-ring debut in September 2017 as Judas Mesias and was released from the company in March 2008.

In his brief and thoroughly forgettable run, he was introduced as the kayfabe brother of another star who was TNA's original candidate to emulate the Undertaker.

#4 Abyss

A future TNA Hall of Famer if the promotion manages to stay afloat

Judas Mesias was more like a Kane to TNA's Undertaker, The Monster Abyss! The now-TNA veteran's extreme character took off during his initial days with the company in 2005 when he was paired along with manager James Mitchell.

Two solid years later, TNA looked to capitalize on Abyss' popularity by debuting Banderas as his 'brother' Judas and booking the two in a long-drawn feud. It tanked miserably and led to the departure of the Lucha Underground star.

Abyss, though, went on to achieve legendary status in the troubled promotion, winning the TNA World Championship twice while also holding it for 396 days, which is the longest reign in the title's history. WWE officials were forced to take notice of this masked 6'8" inch behemoth making waves in their rival's yard.

As revealed by Abyss himself, WWE approached him with the option of facing Undertaker in his WWE debut match at WrestleMania. The outrageously loyal giant turned down the offer and has been having an identity crisis in TNA ever since.

In case you haven't been watching, Abyss is now the Kane of TNA/Impact Wrestling:

#3 Mordecai

Oh, hell no!

Poor Kevin Thorne. The weight of expectations of becoming the next Undertaker gave us one of the biggest failures of the Ruthless Aggression Era. In WWE's defense, he wasn't the quickest of learners either.

WWE was quite serious on Undertaker putting over a rising developmental talent Kevin Thorne back in 2002 and eventually called up him under the name Mordecai to SmackDown as a religious fanatic hell-bent on eliminating sin from the world.

He wrestled three matches in total, forced the fans to prayer and was unceremoniously sent back to developmental after being on the main roster for just a month. Initially primed to be the Undertaker's opponent, WWE had to drop the plans and decided Throne needed more training.

Putting a mask on him proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Thorne as he was released from his contact in 2005. He returned for another tormenting run in WWE's reboot of ECW as a Vampire along with his valet named Airel. Amusingly enough, he was yet again sent to WWE's developmental system Ohio Valley Wrestling, before being kicked out for good in 2009.

#2 Bray Wyatt

Did WWE make a mistake at WrestleMania 31?

After the Mordecai debacle, WWE refrained from scouting the second coming of the Undertaker until they came across a hopeless case in Husky Harris.

The son of the legendary I.R.S was going nowhere as the fattest member of Nexus in 2011 and was rightfully written off television for a character revamp. Thus, The Wyatt Family was born.

Repackaged as Bray Wyatt along with his followers in Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and later on Braun Strowman, WWE managed to create a worthy-enough candidate to replace Taker.

Then again, WWE Creative did their thing and Wyatt is now just a glorified jobber. From losing to the Undertaker at WrestleMania 31 to his mismanaged WWE title reign, the Eater of Worlds has sadly become the eater of pins.

Similar to his predecessor the Undertaker, Wyatt had a mysterious character with a rich backstory that was backed up with an awe-inspiring entrance. Wyatt, though, still has time and so does the final name on this list.

#1 Finn Balor

It just makes the most sense

The Demon King vs The Phenom! WWE should have pulled the trigger on the dream match when they had the opportunity. Instead, WWE gave Roman Reigns the honor of defeating Undertaker at last year's WrestleMania.

Owing to his connections to the mysterious, Finn Balor was billed to be an Undertaker-like force to reckon with in the WWE the day he was signed up from NJPW.

Possessing the right gimmick that complimented itself with god-gifted charisma, Balor should have deservedly been the one to take up the role of being the representative of the dark side from Taker.

The match would have compensated Balor or not getting his mandatory Universal title rematch while also keeping him fresh in the process.

With John Cena most likely to officially retire The Deadman at this year's edition of the show of shows, Balor may never get to have his date with Taker himself.

The former Universal Champion, however, can still carry on Undertaker's legacy if WWE makes him a full-time Demon. The angle has the potential to produce a memorable character, something the Reality Era of WWE is direly lacking.

We'll end the list with an honorable mention to Aleister Black, who is the current favorite to take over from the Undertaker. Honestly though, can anyone replace the future Hall of Famer?

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