The Undertaker and HBK

nacho libre

Seeing as these two are in the twilight of their wrestling careers, i was wondering what storylines you would like to see for both of them when they eventually decide to call it quits. Is there a particular opponent you'd like to see them wrestle in their final match. In the Undertaker's case, i like his exit to involve putting over a young wrestler who is regarded as having all the attributes needed to make it to the top.

geeky

nacho libre wrote: »

Seeing as these two are in the twilight of their wrestling careers, i was wondering what storylines you would like to see for both of them when they eventually decide to call it quits. Is there a particular opponent you'd like to see them wrestle in their final match. In the Undertaker's case, i like his exit to involve putting over a young wrestler who is regarded as having all the attributes needed to make it to the top.

The single most unselfish thing 'taker could do is exactly what you say - at wrestlemania. IMO, it wouldn't tarnish what he's done to cement his legacy with the average fan. It would also copperfasten his rep among wrestlers and smarks as one of the greatest pros of all time. I would like to see it happen with CM Punk, who has all the tools to have a great second half to his career, though I think their feud has started a little early for that.

I'd love to see HBK put someone over, but I'd imagine he'll finish by putting HHH over even more. I'm ill thinking about it.

Nody

Undertaker putting Punk over at a rematch at WM (causing his last WM match being a loss) would score rather high in my book.

Then again I'd love a HBK vs Undertaker match again simply because such a match would be so very enjoyable to watch compared the drab stuff shown usually.

Penn

Personally I don't think the streak should ever be ended. I know it would skyrocket whoever defeated him to the moon, but its such an amazing streak that if that superstar then messed up, it'd just be a huge disaster. Imagine if Brock Lesnar had ended the streak, then 2 months later, he left. Or if some superstar ended it and then a few months later got fired because of the wellness policy. The amount of faith WWE would have to have in that superstar to have him defeat Taker at WM would just be more than they could give.

I'd like to see Taker and Kane go out together. One last showdown between the two, then disappear together. With Paul Bearer back for it too

HBK, I'd like to see Morrison drafted to Raw after WM next year, and enter him into a program with HBK, but both as faces. A kind of passing the torch. Morrison is no HBK, but he can be given time I reckon. Although I'm sure HBK wants his final match to be with HHH or something, but he should put Morrison over first I reckon.

SlickRic

unfortunately, someone getting a win over HBK is not that big a deal. he's lost his fair share of matches.

as he says in his book, he 'gets over with the match itself'.

i'd just like him to have a great feud at the end of his career, culminating in a classic match.

Undertaker needs to let go of the streak as his last act. i don't buy into this theory that it's too risky to give that 'privilege' to anyone.

i mean, what if WWE never took a risk and put someone over big? if they're worried about giving it someone untrustworthy, don't give it to someone untrustworthy. Punk, right now, would be the perfect candidate; a main eventer who just needs a bit of cementing as a truly top star who can carry the company forward.

i've said it before and i'll say it again, that streak is too perfect a launching pad not to be used. it creates a star instantly. it'd be selfish on Taker's part, and stupid on WWE's part, not to drop it to someone.

chopperbyrne

Taker should go heel before he retires and put whoever they're going to push as their next mega face over at Mania.

Shawn is a bit different as he has tried to go heel several times over the past few years and has been cheered every time. Maybe one more long enough title reign before he retires.

grames_bond

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Shawn is a bit different as he has tried to go heel several times over the past few years and has been cheered every time. Maybe one more long enough title reign before he retires.

thats what i would love to see, i know people say he doesnt need another run (and tbf he doesnt) but i would just love to see him given the belt again for another run....compare his titles reigns to the number HHH has and it is a travesty.

Penn

grames_bond wrote: »

thats what i would love to see, i know people say he doesnt need another run (and tbf he doesnt) but i would just love to see him given the belt again for another run....compare his titles reigns to the number HHH has and it is a travesty.

I was really hoping he'd beat Jericho in last years ladder match for the WHC title, or at least get a rematch for it the following month rather than have Cena waltz in, get a title shot straight away, and beat Jericho.

I agree, I'd love to see him with the title. He's a main eventer, and yet, how many years has it been since his last reign? And how many reigns had HHH, or Edge, or Cena had since then?

Rjd2

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Taker should go heel before he retires and put whoever they're going to push as their next mega face over at Mania.

The only person who could turn Taker heel would be Jeff sadly, he is just to over to be booed.

chopperbyrne

Rjd2 wrote: »

The only person who could turn Taker heel would be Jeff sadly, he is just to over to be booed.

I don't mean turn him heel for just that feud or match, but have him as a solid heel for at least three or four months before Mania. Ministry of Darkness type heel when he was just portrayed as being evil.

Fozzy

There's been Undertaker retirement threads for the last ten years. He's not going to retire properly for a long time. He could easily just do a few matches a year for the next ten years and that's what I expect him to do

Shawn's more likely to retire soon, he's spoken about wanting to spend more time with his kids and not wrestle as much

I'd like to see Shawn vs Jericho for his final match. Or Danielson if that could work out. Just a guaranteed great match

Black Lead

In a dream world ...

I would like to see HBK and perhaps HHH get involved with an angle with The Hart Dynasty, The angle would be simple The Harts (mainly Harry DH Smith) getting revenge on HBK after well you know that thing that should be banned from disscussion on Wrestling forums

Undertaker in a series of matches with Sting (not going to happen ... but ya know we can dream) Say Sting interrupts Royal Rumble costing Taker a match or eliminating him from the Rumble, Match at No Way Out Sting wins and at Wrasslinmania a rematch with Taker winning and dissappearing at the end of match he ascends into the rafters

Cactus Col

I would hate to see the undertaker's streak lost.

Probably not a good idea .... but for his last match, I would love to see him wrestler under his own name, as Mark Calloway. Possibly in a feud with Shane McMahon and the younger generation of wrestlers that are coming in, disrespecting the traditions, exposing the real man. His final match could then be against The Miz, or Dolph Ziggler (depending on the kind of push their getting of course.)

For HBK ... a good feud with Edge or CM Punk would be a nice way to go out ...

Penn

Cactus Col wrote: »

I would hate to see the undertaker's streak lost.

Probably not a good idea .... but for his last match, I would love to see him wrestler under his own name, as Mark Calloway. Possibly in a feud with Shane McMahon and the younger generation of wrestlers that are coming in, disrespecting the traditions, exposing the real man. His final match could then be against The Miz, or Dolph Ziggler (depending on the kind of push their getting of course.)

For HBK ... a good feud with Edge or CM Punk would be a nice way to go out ...

Wouldn't that just essentially be him returning to the American Badass Undertaker? To be honest, The Deadman gimmick is almost 20 years old, and bar the ABA/Big Evil phase, he's pretty much been the Deadman for over 15 years. To lose it for his last match would be terrible in my opinion.

Cactus Col

paddyirishman85 wrote: »

Wouldn't that just essentially be him returning to the American Badass Undertaker? To be honest, The Deadman gimmick is almost 20 years old, and bar the ABA/Big Evil phase, he's pretty much been the Deadman for over 15 years. To lose it for his last match would be terrible in my opinion.

Maybe it would have him returning to the badass undertaker. But, taker sticks by Kayfabe so much that I think it would be nice to be able to acknowledge what he has done in the business, both for the man, and the fans.

Penn

Cactus Col wrote: »

Maybe it would have him returning to the badass undertaker. But, taker sticks by Kayfabe so much that I think it would be nice to be able to acknowledge what he has done in the business, both for the man, and the fans.

Ah, I see what you mean. Sort of how Ric Flair got such a huge retirement ceremony and got to actually display his emotions because he was leaving, whereas if Taker was still the Deadman, he'd have to do one of his usual 'They buried him alive' things or something, but he wouldn't be able to break character. I agree with you on that.

On Flairs retirement, didn't Taker also have to wait til after Raw finished before he came down and hugged Flair or something, or did I just imagine that completely?

SlickRic

paddyirishman85 wrote: »

On Flairs retirement, didn't Taker also have to wait til after Raw finished before he came down and hugged Flair or something, or did I just imagine that completely?

no, don't worry, you were awake for that. that's exactly how it happened.

pretty epic moment too imo.

Degag

paddyirishman85 wrote: »

On Flairs retirement, didn't Taker also have to wait til after Raw finished before he came down and hugged Flair or something, or did I just imagine that completely?

It was similar to Eddie Guerrero or Chris Benoit's tribute night on RAW when all the wrestlers appeared on stage except for Taker. I think he has full creative control of his character, so he can pretty much do what he wants in this regard anyway.

In one way i'd love to see a return of the ABA. I loved the character and he had way more time on the mic, on which he is pretty talented!

In another, it makes him more vulnerable to lose the streak i think, which i'd hate to see.

I concur though that the only way we'll see a Ric Flair style tribute is if he returns to the ABA. And unlike Ric Flair, i'm pretty sure he'll stay retired!

sky88

Degag wrote: »

It was similar to Eddie Guerrero or Chris Benoit's tribute night on RAW when all the wrestlers appeared on stage except for Taker.

ive read that taker doesnt com out on tribute nights because he thinks it would be disrespecful because hes seen as the deadman

Penn

sky88 wrote: »

ive read that taker doesnt com out on tribute nights because he thinks it would be disrespecful because hes seen as the deadman

Wow, thats actually brilliant...

Brolly

SlickRic wrote: »

no, don't worry, you were awake for that. that's exactly how it happened.

pretty epic moment too imo.

That was amazing:D

Penn

SlickRic wrote: »

no, don't worry, you were awake for that. that's exactly how it happened.

pretty epic moment too imo.

Watched it last night. I knew I'd seen it before. Pretty epic alright. Taker doing his bow/salute thing to Flair was awesome

Red Sleeping Beauty

The Undertaker's streak is very overrated. It only began to get mentioned around 2001 because of course in 94 and 00 he took time off and wasn't at WM. You'd think he'd have staved off surgery and left his missus to mind the kid while he guarded the streak. Also, the majority if his Mania matches are either dreadful or barely passable. Gonzalez, Bundy, Sid, Boss Man,Albert, Henry Kane x2. Also, his Flair match did nothing for me.

Riddle101

paddyirishman85 wrote: »

Ah, I see what you mean. Sort of how Ric Flair got such a huge retirement ceremony and got to actually display his emotions because he was leaving, whereas if Taker was still the Deadman, he'd have to do one of his usual 'They buried him alive' things or something, but he wouldn't be able to break character. I agree with you on that.

On Flairs retirement, didn't Taker also have to wait til after Raw finished before he came down and hugged Flair or something, or did I just imagine that completely?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6YsMs1QMXY

Sorry the tape end before he hugs him.

Anyway I think it would be epic for Undertaker to go out at Wrestlemania when his streak reaches 20-0 or something.

Degag

Alan Rouge wrote: »

The Undertaker's streak is very overrated. It only began to get mentioned around 2001 because of course in 94 and 00 he took time off and wasn't at WM. You'd think he'd have staved off surgery and left his missus to mind the kid while he guarded the streak. Also, the majority if his Mania matches are either dreadful or barely passable. Gonzalez, Bundy, Sid, Boss Man,Albert, Henry Kane x2. Also, his Flair match did nothing for me.

None of the matches you mentioned were ever going to be classics because of the opponents he faced.

tdv

Both of them should have retired a while ago. Didnt the Undertaker just have a retirement match at WM like a year or 2 ago? Its all just aloud of bollox & pretty insulting to the fans if you ask me. There just living of past glories.
HBK was always one of my favourites but he really just bores the pants of me now with his religous crap. I rember back around 97 he said he was taking time off "to find his smile" (kayfab), well he might wont to search a little harder because he very rarley smiles anymore, just dose a lot of praying & no smiling.

They should just do it like Austin & leave with some dignity & have there day in the sun at the hall of fame.

michael.etc...

tdv wrote: »

Both of them should have retired a while ago. Didnt the Undertaker just have a retirement match at WM like a year or 2 ago? Its all just aloud of bollox & pretty insulting to the fans if you ask me. There just living of past glories.
HBK was always one of my favourites but he really just bores the pants of me now with his religous crap. I rember back around 97 he said he was taking time off "to find his smile" (kayfab), well he might wont to search a little harder because he very rarley smiles anymore, just dose a lot of praying & no smiling.
They should just do it like Austin & leave with some dignity & have there day in the sun at the hall of fame.

You're in the minority with this opinion though dude.
They're hardly living off past glories if they're still good performers, having excellent matches. And that's exactly what they've been doing. And most people have praised them for consistently being the best two Main eventers over the past few years, even being well past their primes.
You may not like HBK's character much, but the majority of fans do, and even those who don't care for the religious side of his personality, can ignore that for the fact this his work is of such high quality.

The only reason for these guys to retire anytime soon, is down to health reasons.

The Undertaker has never done a retirement stip at Wrestlemania.

Rjd2

Degag wrote: »

None of the matches you mentioned were ever going to be classics because of the opponents he faced.

Lets not forget his last 3 Mania matches have been Match Of The Night contenders as well.

Penn

tdv wrote: »

Both of them should have retired a while ago. Didnt the Undertaker just have a retirement match at WM like a year or 2 ago? Its all just aloud of bollox & pretty insulting to the fans if you ask me. There just living of past glories.
HBK was always one of my favourites but he really just bores the pants of me now with his religous crap. I rember back around 97 he said he was taking time off "to find his smile" (kayfab), well he might wont to search a little harder because he very rarley smiles anymore, just dose a lot of praying & no smiling.

No, Takers matches at WM 23 and 24 have both been WHC title matches. WM23 was the one he won the Rumble before to get the shot. I don't think retirement was ever mentioned for any of them.

HBK had an amazing feud with Jericho last year, the fued with JBL at the beginning of the year was pretty good, and his match and the promos before WM25 with Taker were brilliant. They had to play up the religious angle for that fued. Other than that fued, its not like HBK is constantly showing up in promos quoting the Bible. He rarely mentions the religion thing. The kneeling and praying in his entrance, I can't see how that would annoy anyone. I find it more entertaining than most entrances, and easier to watch than Batistas showboating entrance.

I think it speaks volumes about how great both Taker and HBK are when their match at WM25 was one of the greatest matches ever and was so good that it was even repeated (or clips shown of) on ECW, a show neither are on, about 6 months after WM.

Professey Chin

Riddle101 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6YsMs1QMXY

Sorry the tape end before he hugs him.

Anyway I think it would be epic for Undertaker to go out at Wrestlemania when his streak reaches 20-0 or something.

Heres the full version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrBZxyqxmtQ

Degag

tdv wrote: »

Both of them should have retired a while ago. Didnt the Undertaker just have a retirement match at WM like a year or 2 ago? Its all just aloud of bollox & pretty insulting to the fans if you ask me. There just living of past glories.
HBK was always one of my favourites but he really just bores the pants of me now with his religous crap. I rember back around 97 he said he was taking time off "to find his smile" (kayfab), well he might wont to search a little harder because he very rarley smiles anymore, just dose a lot of praying & no smiling.

They should just do it like Austin & leave with some dignity & have there day in the sun at the hall of fame.

Ummm, how many times has Austin returned to do some silly skit with Santino etc since he supposedly retired? Fair enough he hasn't actually wrestled but i wouldn't say he has done it with "dignity"

Taker is having better matches now than he was 15 years ago, so i don't know how he is living off past glories. Michaels rarely mentions anything religious in his promos. Why would you knock a guy for what he believes in, when he does it privately?

tdv

michael.etc... wrote: »

You're in the minority with this opinion though dude.
They're hardly living off past glories if they're still good performers, having excellent matches. And that's exactly what they've been doing. And most people have praised them for consistently being the best two Main eventers over the past few years, even being well past their primes.
You may not like HBK's character much, but the majority of fans do, and even those who don't care for the religious side of his personality, can ignore that for the fact this his work is of such high quality.

The only reason for these guys to retire anytime soon, is down to health reasons.

The Undertaker has never done a retirement stip at Wrestlemania.

Well maybe its just me being picky then. If other people enjoy it thats fine I just dont like it then.

What he dose in his personal life is his choice & I'm glad that he's happy with his life but he dose take it to the ring with him. Maybe you have forgotten the McMahons vs Shawn & God storyline which was one of the worst storylines I think anyone has ever come up with. And he has said before that he dosent want to do or say some of the things he was doing a decade or so ago. That seems very hypocritical if you ask me. I mean he's a actor aswell as a wrestler, its showbiz. The whole cocky & arrogant personallity was what made him stand out from the rest.

I agree he's had some very good matches of late but I just find his charachter stale & boreing & find it hard to get excited about any of his matches.

If other people like it thats fine but for me when they both finally do retire I'll rember them for what they did back in 90's & not in recent years.

Red Sleeping Beauty

tdv wrote: »

Both of them should have retired a while ago. Didnt the Undertaker just have a retirement match at WM like a year or 2 ago? Its all just aloud of bollox & pretty insulting to the fans if you ask me. There just living of past glories.
HBK was always one of my favourites but he really just bores the pants of me now with his religous crap. I rember back around 97 he said he was taking time off "to find his smile" (kayfab), well he might wont to search a little harder because he very rarley smiles anymore, just dose a lot of praying & no smiling.

They should just do it like Austin & leave with some dignity & have there day in the sun at the hall of fame.

The "find my smile" thing was so he could get out of putting Hart over for the title. But you're right, he took a lot of time off in '97 and only really returned after SummerSlam as when he wrestled in May for the tag belts with Austin and then at KotR he took more time off.

nacho libre

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Right now there is a lot of concern regarding the health of The Undertaker. He came back to work in Puerto Rico, as a warm up for his Breaking Point match, and that is when concern started. After WrestleMania, 'Taker had hip surgery, but it was played off as a minor thing. In reality, he had very serious surgery, possibly a hip replacement, and the company wondered if he would return at all. Taker is in a lot of pain, and noticeably slower; this is why the Breaking Point match was booked to be so short. Some are wondering if we will see him retire at WrestleMania 26.

JP Liz

I'd like to see HBK get another title reign and also feud with Jericho (again) or CM Punk

I hope Undertaker retires with his WM winning streak still undefeated