Image Credit: WWE.com
On Tuesday while discussing Brock Lesnar’s possible WrestleMania dance partner, I floated a hope for a possible Undertaker-Lesnar matchup at the Granddaddy of them all. Rumors had also been swirling that CM Punk was tapped for this year’s attempt to end the Undertaker’s streak at Met Life Stadium. Now, rumors are coming out that the Undertaker’s status for this year’s Mania are even more in question than we originally thought.
After an initial report by Brian Alvarez of F4W/Wrestling Observer during a subscribers only radio show, PW Insider (via Lords of Pain) had reported that WWE officials were waiting on the Undertaker’s decision whether he will wrestler this year.
There was talk at Monday’s RAW that one of the reasons The Undertaker didn’t make an appearance at the RoyalRumble is because he’s not so sure that he will work WrestleMania 29 now.
There’s more from PW Insider today via Wrestlezone:
As of several months ago, The Undertaker told WWE officials that he would be good to go for WrestleMania, and reportedly named CM Punk as the wrestler he wanted to face at the big event, however, it appears as if his badly damaged hip and shoulder, which were worsened at WrestleMania last year, might prevent him from competing this year.
Should The Undertaker be unable to wrestle at WrestleMania this year, WWE will have to make major changes to the currently planned card, as CM Punk would be left without an opponent.
Now, these are strictly rumors and none of this means we no one way or the other that Taker is out for this year’s extravaganza. A feature started on Tuesday on WWE.com in fact seems to begin building towards a Punk-Undertaker match, an article entitled, “What’s left for CM Punk to accomplish?”
What’s left for CM Punk to accomplish?
Image Credit: WWE.com
The question answers itself. The Streak.
But what now? What if whomever was scheduled to face the Undertaker now has no match on the WrestleMania card? The fix is simple. Add them to the WWE Championship match. Many around wrestling-fandom are not enthused about the idea of the Rock and John Cena locking horns again, after touting last year’s one on one match as “Once in a Lifetime.” Unlike the stereotypical complaining mark, I know matching up Rock-Cena makes complete sense.
But what if, Rock-Cena truly was “Once in a Lifetime” because this year a third man was thrown into the mix because of the Undertaker. Imagine how much bigger the match would become if it were Cena-Rock-Lesnar or Cena-Rock-Punk? If Punk were inserted, John Cena’s promo Monday becomes that much more poignant. To reclaim the WWE Championship, he has to defeat the man who’s had his number all throughout 2012 AND the man who defeated him last year? And if Lesnar were in the mix? Look at what Cena had to go through facing just Lesnar at Extreme Rules. You may not like it but it would be FANTASTIC storytelling. Something WWE does very well.
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If Taker couldn’t make it and they find out before the next PPV, then have The Rock drop the title to Punk. The Rock would want his rematch. Cena would still have his Mania main event. He already cut a promo talking about both men. The solution is the triple threat match at Mania. Then Cena can win the title by pinning Punk or Punk can retain by pinning Cena or Rock can pin either to protect the other. Just spit balling.
The Rock vs. John Cena makes a lot of sense because it could bring many eyes to WM. However, wouldn’t it also make sense to introduce a third party who could get a rub from the now two-year-old feud of Rock v. Cena?
I like the idea of making it a triple threat. Punk or Lesnar have to be involved in some way because why have two faces square off again in a match everybody has already seen just last year? Can’t wait to see how this unfolds.