It looks like we are going to see Shawn Michaels versus The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. I know, it's the 25th Anniversary, it's in Texas, and the match will be a spectacle. We'll see two icons tear the house down and put on a four, maybe five star match. But I have one major problem with the match. It is too predictable
Does anybody expect Shawn Michaels to win? Honestly, who actually expects him to win at Wrestlemania? If you think HBK has a chance, I am jealous. I really am. The match will be more fun for those who think it could go either way. But most internet fans, and those who have watched wrestling for decades, know exactly what will happen. Michaels will put up a gallant effort, cover for a few near falls, but will ultimately fall victim to the Tombstone for the 1-2-3.
The Undertaker has never lost at Wrestlemania, and probably never will. However, "probably" is the operative word. There is a slight chance that someday The Undertaker will lose in a stunning upset at a Wrestlemania. If that day were to ever occur, the Deadman would hopefully lose to an opponent that would benefit from the win. And I can't imagine that the WWE would ever give such a significant win to a person who doesn't need it. That, my friends, is the reason why the ending to the HBK/Undertaker battle will be predictable and even anti-climatic.
Shawn Michaels is a legend. When historians list the greatest wrestling icons of the past two to three decades, The Heartbreak Kid will be right up there with your Flairs, Hogans, and Austins. Defeating The Undertaker will not change Michaels' status. Because of that, WWE would be foolish to let Michaels taint The Undertaker's most enduring claim to fame.
Ironically, those who were less established than Michaels have posed a greater threat to Taker's streak. Just consider Orton, Batista, and Edge. Randy Orton was a young superstar on the rise and a win for The Legend Killer would have made him a permanent main eventer. However, after a quality match at Wrestlemania XXI The Undertaker got the win. There were moments when the outcome was in doubt, but it was not Orton's night. Two years later Batista attempted to end the streak. He was probably the least likely of the three wrestlers listed to defeat Taker. Regardless, they put on an excellent match at Wrestlemania XXIII and had us all wondering for a second if the Animal would pull off the upset. Batista earned a lot of respect that night in a losing effort. And last year we had the Streak vs. "Streak" match between Edge and you know who. Going into the title bout, an Edge victory was not completely out of the question. A win for the Rated R Superstar would have made him WWE's biggest heel for the next 10 years. Sure, Edge is already awesome in his current role. But ending Taker's streak would have put him over the top. It would have been good for WWE's long term future because as much as a face can sell tickets, a great heel can also draw. Just ask Ric Flair.
A strong case could have been made for Orton, Batista, or Edge ending the streak. They would have gone from being main eventers to legends. That's how significant Taker's streak is. But there is no rational reason for why Michaels should defeat The Undertaker. None. HBK would get another feather in his cap, but it wouldn't make him any more beloved or over than he is right now. Michaels doesn't need a rub; he's already better than The Undertaker. Simply put, Shawn Michaels gains nothing by winning while The Undertaker loses his streak by losing. Use wrestling logic. It's a no-brainer. Taker wins.
I would have rather seen John Cena and Shawn Michaels switch places for their projected (though unconfirmed) Wrestlemania matches. The Undertaker vs. John Cena would be a far more intriguing match. Going in, Cena would be the toughest challenger to Taker's streak that we've ever seen. A Cena victory over The Undertaker would be as surreal as Hulk Hogan pinning Andre the Giant. It would be a true passing of the torch moment. And could you imagine the heat for that match? Beantown's own John Cena walking into Houston and challenging The Undertaker? The crowd noise would be deafening. Now that would be a match where anything could happen.
Shawn Michaels challenging Edge at Wrestlemania would also be a fresh match. The fans would be red hot for that every bit as much as a Taker/Cena bout. And the outcome would be completely unpredictable. Micahaels and Edge have always worked well together and a World Heavyweight Championship match between the two would be one for the ages. But anyway, let's make the best of what we got
Maybe WWE will add a stipulation to the contest. If it was a match that would force Shawn Michaels to retire if he lost, well, that would be a different ballgame. Then I would question who would win. The tagline for the event could read: Career vs. Streak. Something's Gotta Give. Either way, something would come to an end that night. That would certainly thicken the plot.
If it's a straight up match though, we'll see Taker win. But hey, what can I say? It's the 25th Anniversary! It's a celebration. Taker and Michaels is a dream match that everybody wants to see. McMahon will be giving the fans what they want with those two icons locking horns. The event will be fun either way because of its significance and atmosphere. Wrestlemania XXV will probably not be THE greatest show of all-time. It'll be fun though. And that's what it's all about.
Who knows, with so many shockers the past few months, anything can happen. At least that's what I'll tell myself when the Taker/Michaels match starts.
