Should Taker retire?

naitsirhc

So I'm having an argiment with a pal of mine since Wrestlemania. Undertaker is no spring chicken I will admit that. But in my opinion he is someone who should hang around and have the odd match here and there and help the young guys past the barrier from "nearly there" to main event status. And of course he has drawing power and is a fan favorite. If he's feeling well and looking well and able to put on matches like he has the last two 'Manias then why not?

My friend though thinks that after his history of injuries, the fact he's closer to 50 than he is 40 and the fact he and his missus are about to have a baby, it's time for the deadman to ride off in to the sunset and enjoy his well deserved retirement.

Basically I'm just looking for a fresh opinion here because I've had this argument with my friend so many times I have the whole thing memorised

rossie1977

wrestling one match a year he is fine, he is 47 but kane is wrestling every week and he is 45

there is still alot of money to be made on cena vs taker at mania, taker and lesnar at mania would also draw

naitsirhc

rossie1977 wrote: »

wrestling one match a year he is fine,

That's what my point is, don't give him a huge work load. Just a match or two to help out the young 'uns.

Stereomaniac

I'd agree with you there, but I wouldn't feel hard done by if he never appeared on T.V again.

Lord TSC

For all intents and purposes, Taker is retired. At least, as far as retirements go in the world of wrestling.....

Stereomaniac

True. I mean, it seems weird when he's mentioned in articles as being a part of the roster.

jaykhunter

Taker's match is the most anticipated Match at Mania and has been for at least the last 4 years imo. He's down to working one match a year and it really does pay WWE's bills, so he shouldn't retire. Not when he's still got a few more people to face - Brock next year, Punk & Cena down the line. FWIW i believe he'll retire at 25-0.

naitsirhc

jaykhunter wrote: »

Taker's match is the most anticipated Match at Mania and has been for at least the last 4 years imo. He's down to working one match a year and it really does pay WWE's bills, so he shouldn't retire. Not when he's still got a few more people to face - Brock next year, Punk & Cena down the line. FWIW i believe he'll retire at 25-0.

It makes sense to round it off at 25 or, however unlikely, 30 - 0.

He is being set up for a Survivor Series return I hear though so maybe he isn't on Santa's schedual just yet?

Stereomaniac

As I said in another thread (and I'm pretty sure it's an idea I got into my head from reading peoples' opinions here), I think he might be going to lose at Survivor Series for WrestleMania?

DEFTLEFTHAND

Personally I think he should have his match with Lesnar next year and then bow out with an epic showdown against Cena at WM 30.

jaykhunter

naitsirhc wrote: »

He is being set up for a Survivor Series return I hear though so maybe he isn't on Santa's schedual just yet?

Personally I think Survivor Series is a lame duck so he'd be better used at SummerSlam. That's where these WM rematches should be!

On Santa's Schedule! He's have to wear this then

jaykhunter

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Personally I think he should have his match with Lesnar next year and then bow out with an epic showdown against Cena at WM 30.

Taker is definitely facing Lesnar next year at Mania. You know why? Because guarantee Brock signed a one-year deal and they'll use his last date as WrestleMania in the biggest match they can. I'll stake my reputation on it!*


*i don't have a reputation? Well i'm hoping to acquire one from this escapade! :pac:

naitsirhc

jaykhunter wrote: »

Because guarantee Brock signed a one-year deal and they'll use his last date as WrestleMania in the biggest match they can. I'll stake my reputation on it!*


*i don't have a reputation? Well i'm hoping to acquire one from this escapade! :pac:

Apparently it's Undertakers choice who he faces. He was given a choice between Brock, Rock and Cena. Who ever Taker choses, the other two will face each other. That's the story making the rounds anyways...

FutureGuy

I reckon it has to be Lesnar vs Taker at WM29. Nothing else will do. As Jayk stated, it will be Lesnars final match. There is no point in putting him in a title match as the outcome will be obvious. He won't be walking out with the title.

They have history both in WWE and more importantly in UFC, and it's guaranteed to be a major draw.

I'd like Taker to fight someone for the WWE title at Survivor Series only for Lesnar to interfere and body him. As far as I know, Lesnar's contract means he is supposed to be on about 25 Raws (2 per month for 1 year) and he is waaaay behind on that right now. They could have him at over half the Raws between now and Mania and build him back up into the unstoppable monster while Taker recovers from a Survivor Series beating.

Stereomaniac

Oh, man. I'm not really in the mood to see Dwayne vs. John 2 though. Hmm. Maybe John Cena as his opponent and have The Rock take on Brock. Although Cena is the weak link, personally.

jaykhunter

Stereomaniac wrote: »

Oh, man. I'm not really in the mood to see Dwayne vs. John 2 though. Hmm. Maybe John Cena as his opponent and have The Rock take on Brock. Although Cena is the weak link, personally.

Don't worry mate, Cena will be champion by Rumble and job to Rocky. Punk will win the Rumble match so it'll be Punk/Rock at Mania. Also Taker/Brock, so that leaves Cena....with Big Show and Kane ha ha

GTR63

If they could do Rock and Taker vs Lesnar and Punk at Survivor Series that'd be great.

connemara man

Lesnar to beat HHH at summerslam, starts a beat down then lights out bong taker behind him chokeskam mania match booked

glenjamin

As long as there's no more repeat Mania matches then no. The only two people left to wrestle is Lesnar and Cena. If Lesnar (hopefully) beats HHH at Summerslam it should end with Taker magically appearing in the ring and taking out Lesnar. That leads to the two of them at the next Mania and the year after he takes on Cena. Throw in a title for that match and Taker's career ends with him holding the WWE title. He should only continue after that for one more year if he plans on putting the next top guy over at the following Mania.

Fenian Army

glenjamin wrote: »

As long as there's no more repeat Mania matches then no. The only two people left to wrestle is Lesnar and Cena. If Lesnar (hopefully) beats HHH at Summerslam it should end with Taker magically appearing in the ring and taking out Lesnar. That leads to the two of them at the next Mania and the year after he takes on Cena. Throw in a title for that match and Taker's career ends with him holding the WWE title. He should only continue after that for one more year if he plans on putting the next top guy over at the following Mania.

No, sure wrestlers never retire anyway.

I didn't think naitch should have "retired" a few years back either

Mr.Nice Guy

There's still matches involving him that I'd like to see. I'd like to see him take on Brock and Cena and I'd also love a match involving him and Sheamus.

I liked that they played up Taker was getting older at this year's Mania and if they can do that each year it will make him seem more vulnerable and get people thinking that he might lose at Mania.

I think Kane on the other hand is the one that maybe needs to think about wrapping it up. There's not much else that can be done with him at this point imo.

naitsirhc

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

There's still matches involving him that I'd like to see. I'd like to see him take on Brock and Cena and I'd also love a match involving him and Sheamus.


I think Kane on the other hand is the one that maybe needs to think about wrapping it up. There's not much else that can be done with him at this point imo.

I've always liked the idea of Taker vs Barrett. Seems like a good match to me..

As far as Kane goes, I think that the day they do officially retire, Taker, Kane and Paul Bearer should all bow out together. Seems only fitting.

GTR63

naitsirhc wrote: »

As far as Kane goes, I think that the day they do officially retire, Taker, Kane and Paul Bearer should all bow out together. Seems only fitting.

once bearer defrosts ;-D

Mr.Saturn

GTR63 wrote: »

once bearer defrosts ;-D

Considering he clawed his way out of a concrete grave, it's plausible.

ciano316

Taker is semi retired. But he's still $$$$$ to the WWE so as long as he wants to do it he will. He shouldn't retire til he see's fit but shouldn't head in to Flair/Funk territory. I think I read before there was a rumor he wanted Kane to be the man end the streak if it is to end.

He is the man.

gnfnrhead

I'm not so sure taker will go for a match with Lesnar. Lesnar can get a bit rough and taker isn't held together as good as he used to be. If Lesnar gets annoyed during the match it could end badly for taker. At his age an injury could be the end for him. I reckon he'll go with the safe option of Cena or Rock, maybe Punk as an outside chance.

chopperbyrne

Has Cena ever had a TV/PPV match with Taker? I can't remember one.

SirDelboy18

They could have Lesnar completely go over Taker at Survivor Series - people questioning if the two WM bouts with HHH have made Taker too weak, should he retire etc. - Lesnar competes some more and wins, then around RR - bong.

WM match - Taker wins, obviously.

SirDelboy18

chopperbyrne wrote: »

Has Cena ever had a TV/PPV match with Taker? I can't remember one.

Vengeance 03'

Stereomaniac

That was when The Undertaker was Big Evil or something, wasn't it, or was Cena the heel?

Charisteas

SirDelboy18 wrote: »

Vengeance 03'

Awesome PPV by the way.

Degag

No i don't think he should retire. He is still a huge draw and has stole the show at the last 4 (arguably 6) WM's. Can't see him going to much longer though. Lesnar is pretty much a lock next year, then maybe Cena the year after. Cases could be made for Rock, Seamus and Punk i guess too but really there aren't many with the star power for a match with him.

Stereomaniac

I really can't see how they could put him with Cena, unless they make drastic changes to his character over the next year or 2. Still though, I guess people actually are queuing up to lose to The Undertaker, whereas the thing with The Rock might've been more damaging to his ego. Anyway, it's gonna be Brock next year, The Undertaker chose him.

JoeSnow

I'm still thinking the Wrestlemania line up will be:

The Rock vs Brock Lesnar

The Undertaker vs John Cena

And in a dream world the main event will be Austin vs CM Punk, but the problem is the card would be TOO stacked. Three huge matches like that is too much, and I'd argue we've never had it before. There is no doubt two "classics" will have to be brushed to the side for this to happen.

Stereomaniac

I'm quite apprehensive about what is going to happen with The Rock. I'm sure he's going to dethrone CM Punk at Royal Rumble. But it's just so tiresome of the WWE to hand it to John Cena. In a perfect world, Daniel Bryan would win the Royal Rumble and take on Dwayne. I'm pretty sure we're gonna see Brock & The Undertaker next year. Maybe they'll have a Hell In A Cell match like that chaotic one they had years ago. Should be decent.

Charisteas

JoeSnow wrote: »

I'm still thinking the Wrestlemania line up will be:

The Rock vs Brock Lesnar

The Undertaker vs John Cena

Austin vs CM Punk

That would be a decent line-up, but I can't see any of the above three matches being for the WWE title, unless Brock signs a new contract.

Could also add Triple H vs Sheamus to that card.

JoeSnow wrote: »

but the problem is the card would be TOO stacked.

Is there such a thing as too stacked at a Wrestlemania? If you have the talent as your disposal, then use them. Austin is a long shot, but Lesnar, Taker, and Rock will almost certainly be on the same card next year and nobody thought that possible a year ago.

Keep those three guys in three separate matches, and you got yourself three main events by default.

Charisteas

By the way, why does every Undertaker thread turn into a Wrestlemania thread, must be driving the Mods crazy

I think there could be a Taker V Lesnar at WM not to mention a Taker V Sting . He can wrestle 1 match a year.

CastorTroy

Slater v Taker for WM with Slater ending the streak. Calling it now

naitsirhc

Charisteas wrote: »

By the way, why does every Undertaker thread turn into a Wrestlemania thread, must be driving the Mods crazy

It makes me think that people agree with me that he shouldn't retire, so I'm happy out

Charisteas

naitsirhc wrote: »

It makes me think that people agree with me that he shouldn't retire, so I'm happy out

Here's to five more Wrestlemania's for Taker.

jaykhunter

Charisteas wrote: »

By the way, why does every Undertaker thread turn into a Wrestlemania thread, must be driving the Mods crazy

No-one wants to chat with me about how great Purple-Cravat Zombie Taker was :pac:

Bounty Hunter

Charisteas wrote: »

By the way, why does every Undertaker thread turn into a Wrestlemania thread, must be driving the Mods crazy

ironically it would actually make me question my sanity if such things made me crazy :P

I'm a self confessed Taker mark and have said as much on this board even if i can recognize the mans limitations, and yes every Taker thread logically will end up being a Mania thread these days as people only really expect (might get more but it's not expected) to see him competing at Mania these days. With mania/Taker comes the streak and permutations of who is worthy and considered good enough to have a streak feud and match capable of emulating or bettering what has gone before it.

Only a select few names make the list and are big enough stars to take this spot at the moment it seems although if Taker does hang around for a few years then maybe 1 or 2 more could be ready.

Personally I see no reason assuming he continues to be physically capable (his almost 1 match a year schedule should help) both he and especially the WWE would want him to retire anytime soon. I am sure both parties benefit greatly financially and believe they are still capable of telling a story we the viewers will want to see. I also think the Kane thing was from several years ago (maybe from just before they met most recently at Mania) and was just Takers way of verbally putting over Kane who has since had world title runs.

As it stands the names suggested seem to be Lesnar, Cena & The Rock. Co-incidentally i've also just listed them in the order I see them likely and honestly I really cant see Taker vs Rock. Storyline wise the other options seem a lot more logical and even financially it doesent make much sense as you would be limiting the amount of main event size matches you can have.

The most obvious choice seems Lesnar. His contract will be up after Mania, he has a lot of history with Taker and he could be built as a legitimate threat to Takers streak.

My only worry with this theory is that the WWE isn't always as predictable as you would think, sometimes even despite themselves just because they dont want to be predictable. They might not go the obvious route of Rock/Cena 2 at Mania and instead need Brock or Taker to mix things up. Having said that Rock to win the title off Punk at the Rumble and then drop it to Rumble winner Cena at Mania would be my bet so Taker/Lesnar is a go for the mid-card main event.

naitsirhc

I don't really want to see Brock and taker. It's probably the most likely to happen, but I'd love a fully fledged heel taker feuded with cena and set up an epic good v evil storyline.

Then you could have cena turn heel not long afterwards because he was the good guy for do long and it's after posing at two wrestlemanias he feels he needs to be a bad guy to be mentioned with the likes of undertaker and rock.

But that's just my opinion

Bounty Hunter

naitsirhc wrote: »

I don't really want to see Brock and taker. It's probably the most likely to happen, but I'd love a fully fledged heel taker feuded with cena and set up an epic good v evil storyline.

Then you could have cena turn heel not long afterwards because he was the good guy for do long and it's after posing at two wrestlemanias he feels he needs to be a bad guy to be mentioned with the likes of undertaker and rock.

But that's just my opinion

wait a year and I think you will get Taker vs Cena.

At the moment the only people I'd like to see / think would be considered worthy of facing the deadman at Mania are, Cena, Brock and if he was with the WWE (never has been before so no expectations...) Sting. Each one is a money match anyway you look at it, even Sting which may not strike many as being as great in ring wise would no doubt be awesome from a storyline & feud standpoint while providing an iconic image.

If Cena was ever to be turned, after losing to Taker could make sense but I'd expect John to go into that one in a face vs face feud where he simply wants to do what nobody else could do and beat Taker at Mania (prove he's the best etc).

the groutch

I think Taker is past it and should retire at Survivor Series

*awaits barrage of verbal abuse*

KJY

If Sting finds himself anywhere near a Wrestlemania main event, I'd lose any of the minimal respect I have for WWE

Imagine Michael Cole saying "Inverted DDT! 1-2-3, and the streak is over"

naitsirhc

KJY wrote: »

If Sting finds himself anywhere near a Wrestlemania main event, I'd lose any of the minimal respect I have for WWE

Imagine Michael Cole saying "Inverted DDT! 1-2-3, and the streak is over"

I just can't imagine anyone at all saying "1-2-3, and the streak is over"...

Fenian Army

Sting vs Taker would be epic!

I'd imagine a bloody taker passing out in the scorpion death lock ala Stone Cold vs Bret Hart if Sting were to beat him.

Stings a beast, I hope he and wwe release a DVD set when he hangs up the boots (not for a while yet I hope)

D.Q

i dont get sting.

chopperbyrne

Pro wrestling, although a pre-determined piece of entertainment performed by people who are trying to keep each other safe, is still very physically demanding on the performers.

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