Recent reports coming in have stated that the Undertaker‘s status for WrestleMania 29 is uncertain and that the Deadman might end up missing the wrestling’s biggest extravaganza. The Undertaker’s hip and and shoulder remain badly damaged, and have failed to recover from the brutality of last year’s match against Triple H. Taker has been suffering from numerous nagging injuries in the last five years, and would have a huge impact on WrestleMania’s drawing power. Despite the existing star power, the lustre of the Undertaker’s 20-0 streak at WrestleMania has been the main selling point of the event for a long time now.
This development would leave CM Punk, Taker’s reported hand-picked opponent, in the limbo without a compelling match on April 7th. Brock Lesnar seems to be on a collision course with Triple H at WrestleMania 29, and here are a few reasons why I believe the WWE should go with CM Punk vs Brock Lesnar, if the Undertakes does miss the event (God forbid that), and not with the rematch between Lesnar and the Game.
Some of the reasons are:
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Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman is one of the greatest managers in the history of professional wrestling, and has had a huge role to play in the success of legends such as Rob Van Dam, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley etc. But for all his legendary managerial abilities, Heyman’s name has been most famously synonymous with Brock Lesnar first, and then CM Punk. Lesnar probably would have never gotten over without Heyman’s help, as he unfortunately happens to sound like a whiny teenage girl.
Punk’s talent and potential was seen by Heyman when Punk arrived in the WWE in 2006. Despite not having much faith from the upper management, it was Heyman who played a decisive role in kick-starting the Indy sensation’s famous career, the highlight of which has been his recently concluded, lengthy WWE Championship reign. It could all start with a simple argument between the two, seeing as they would both want Heyman to be only their manager.
Obviously this would mean CM Punk would have to turn face, seeing that Lesnar will definitely need Heyman, and watching Heyman work as a face is just plain weird and wrong.
Best In The World vs Best MMA Fighter
I do know that Lesnar certainly isn’t the greatest MMA fighter of all time, but how incredibly arrogant would it be for him to claim it? He could go on a hate tirade against wrestling and ‘sports entertainment’, leaving the Best In The World to step up for the WWE as a whole, turning face in the process. Punk can go on about how WWE made Lesnar famous, and without it he would be nothing.
He can then throw Lesnar’s actual MMA record at his face, and further insult him. He can talk about how this is the WWE, and these ‘wannabe’ MMA fighters don’t belong in the squared circle. The only problem is that, it might evoke serious contempt from the MMA world and the UFC in particular, but would make for a great feud.
Match will sell and be legendary
Lesnar has a huge fan following, and is a real legit tough guy in the eyes of many people. Punk is still building his fan base, and taking on Lesnar would do wonders for Punk’s career, and make sure that he has an illustrious opponent. Lesnar represents Vince McMahon’s prototype of a wrestler, while Punk is in the mould of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, the type of wrestlers that have once again become increasingly prominent in the WWE today.
Punk would be a clear underdog in this, and having him remain unfazed by the daunting challenge will once again make him a true anti-hero in the fans eyes. Despite fighting ‘for’ the WWE, he would actually be fighting against the WWE’s prototype, and will gain even more respect than ever before.
Conclusion
While nobody wants the Undertaker to miss WrestleMania, it would be unwise to force him to compete. Punk vs Lesnar would be an excellent backup choice, and while the WWE would be reluctant to turn their best heel back to the good side, the potential for this match would dwindle that impact.
In any case, it will be far better than a rematch between Lesnar and Triple H.