WWE RAW Results (05/12/08) Jim Ross welcomes us to the Joe Louis Arena as we go into the show with the lights out in the arena. The lights come back on and William Regal is in the ring...
Here we are, just hours away from the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment; WRESTLEMANIA! Does it feel like it to you? I don't know because I feel excited for the show because I know it always seems to pull through, but there seems to be a lack of something this year. Anyway, my last column I discussed my early predictions for the event and there was one topic that you guys kept sending me and inquiring me about, and that is what I want to discuss today.
The Undertaker. Truly he is one of the last of a retiring breed of wrestlers. Up there with the likes of Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, and even Batista in terms of age, this man still finds a way to give 110% everytime he steps in the ring. There is one thing Undertaker has over everyone else however...his undefeated streak at the Wrestlemania showcase.
A fellow collegue and I were talking the other day on how the Undertaker really and truly deserves to keep his undefeated streak intact. Why? There are many reasons we could come up with, and keep in mind there is always logical arguments on the other side as well (which I'll get too).
One, Undertaker has been with the same company for eighteen years! That's a lot of ups and downs if you really think about it. Near the tail end of 1990, the man known as The Undertaker made his debut with the (then) WWF. That means that he has had the pleasure of going through nearly three different "era's" within the company. Think about it, Undertaker has had the pleasure of entering the business and face the likes of Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Dusty Rhodes, and the Ultimate Warrior.
From there, Undertaker went head first as a main part of the "Attitude Era." It was here that Undertaker took part in classic matches with the likes of Shawn Michaels, Mankind, and his storyline brother, Kane. Going with the times, Undertaker reached the period where it was time to expand his character and became "the American Badass." From there, his character grew again as he has reverted back to the "deadman" that we all know and love.
As I said, that is a LONG history when you really think about it. A second reason why Undertaker deserves to keep his streak alive is, he is a true professional. No matter what he is asked to do, or what the WWE throws at him, he is professional about it. As a fan you may hear stories that so-and-so is difficult to work with backstage, or this person causes a lot of waves; Undertaker is never a part of that. Undertaker has become a true leader within the locker room, and for that, he deserves something that sets him apart.
A third reason, and this is what my collegue brought up, Undertaker doesn't have as many reigns as champion like some others do. When it comes to the title, he is no Triple H, Ric Flair, or even the Rock. The one thing he does have over all of them however, is that undefeated streak at 'Mania. Why ruin that? His dedication has been enough where he isn't demanding of a title reign, in fact he isn't demanding of anything.
I am glad Edge is finally getting a shot at main eventing Wrestlemania, but he is not the man to end the streak. In my humble opinion, the only man that COULD rightfully end the streak would be Kane. Kane is another person who isn't demanding title reigns or championship matches; the one thing that could set Kane on the map and immortalize his career would be to end that streak.
In the end, I don't think that will happen. If the WWE is smart (which in the business sense, they are) they will keep the streak alive. Undertaker has earned it, and if there is ONE thing that will define his career, it's tat the deadman will forever be immortalized at Wrestlemania.
