While I may not be well-known in the forums, I have made it known from time to time on these threads that I have been a life-long "Creature of the Night." We are now on the Road to WrestleMania and understandably, I get a little nostalgic in anticipation of the return of the man from the dark side. I know not everybody shares my sentiments and thats okay. I just ask that you retreat from your 'he's old and needs to quit' rhetoric and give me some real opinions.
First question: Who made The Undertaker famous? I firmly believe that the combination of Paul Bearer turning heel on him at Summer Slam '96 and joining forces with Mankind (Mick Foley) and the subsequent feud between the 2 allowed Undertaker to really come out of his shell and evolve the character. Prior to these events he was more of a novelty act. The mind games, the dark eerie entrances, the casket matches, etc. Not saying he wasn't over because he was. And in a big way. Sure he had his first title reign a year into his WWE career but it was more because Hulk Hogan didn't want to lose to Ric Flair at WrestleMania which is who Vince wanted to put the strap on. He was a transition guy and a way to get the belt off of Hogan without making him look weak.
Second question: What would you do, if you had the power and he was willing to make a year long (or longer) run without being in the ring so much? What I would do is have him turn heel and reform the Ministry of Darkness. I touched on this in a previous thread but I really wanted to go more in depth. As far as turning him heel, I'm not really sure how to do it simply because there are a million ways to do it. Going after Cena (choke), Orton, Punk..... any top babyface. The list is too long to mention and wouldn't be that hard to accomplish a heel turn. As far as the Ministry goes I wouldn't make it as large and deep a faction as it was in 98-99, but I would definately use a few guys that have real upside potential. Starting with Wade Barrett. Before you start picking apart my choice I'm only using him in this theory simply because he's the biggest heel with potential that is close enough to Undertakers size to make the end result of this theory seem likely.
I'd have him teach these young up and comers and sit on the sidelines for his Ministry brethren's matches. Most likely near the entrance way in his big Ministry "Tx" chair he used years ago. This guy has been a master of crowd psychology since his WWE debut. Face it, todays heels rely too much on "cheap heat." Its a role that would still draw because he's The Undertaker. Like him or not, and realizing he's most certainly on his way out, who wouldn't want to see him live before they can't anymore? Without dragging this on too long, which it may have already, haha, from WrestleMania 28 until around December of 2012 or December of 2013 (preferrably '13 for selfish reasons and because my theory would then culminate at WrestleMania XXX rather then 29) he mainly sits out and gives his Ministry tough love at times forcing them to realize they aren't ready for the next step.
Since I used Wade Barrett as an example I'll use him here. Prior to Undertakers final match, again hopefully WrestleMania XXX, Wade Barrett as the 'crown jewel' of The Undertakers Ministry of Darkness, receives a World Heavyweight title shot at Randy Orton for the Royal Rumble. The Undertaker costs him this match. On Raw or Smackdown the explanation is that Wade wasn't ready to carry the title and he says that in fact that none of his men will ever be ready and he disbans the Ministry. The former Ministry hits the ring and beats down The Undertaker and he dissapears ensuring Undertaker is the babyface and Wade and others are the heels. Wade now leads his former Ministry compadres and receives another shot at Elimination Chamber at Ortons title. No DQ. Orton has the match won and the former ministry hits the ring trying to help Wade win. Enter the returning Undertaker along side Paul Bearer. He single handedly takes out the heels ending with a Tombstone on Wade Barrett and Orton retaining.
WrestleMania XXX: Undertaker vs Wade Barrett - The match could end either way. Taker going out on top, or losing to Barrett. Either way Barrett gets the rub for simply being in the ring on the biggest stage with perhaps the biggest and most unstoppable force in The Undertaker. Could even throw in some interference from the former Ministry brothers to either allow Wade to take the victory or allow Undertaker to rise up one more time to be victorious.
Last Question: Your favorite Undertaker memory. What is it? Don't need to be spectacular. Just that one moment of his that gave you goose bumps or just said "wow that was awesome." Or just simply your favorite match he had. My favorite is hard because I'm an Undertaker mark and I enjoyed most of them. I'm keeping it simple by picking a match. WrestleMania XXV against HBK. Simply one of the single best matches I have ever seen and proved beyond a shadow of doubt the big man can still go all out when needed.
Feel free to expand, eliminate or change anything in the theory portion. It's my first thread and hope it wasn't too long, but, I look forward to reading responses.