Report: Unusual Build To Taker VS Wyatt

[Jack-Hammer]

According to a report at PWInsider.com, the current plan for the build for The Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt is that The Undertaker himself won't be appearing on Raw or SD! to help build the match. The report states that Taker will only appear at WrestleMania with the idea that we don't know where he's been, what physical condition he's in, what he looks like so that the surprise and moment when he does appear will be bigger.

I'm not sure how this is gonna work out. It strikes me as another one of these unusual booking experiments like we've seen with Brock Lesnar in that keeping his appearances to a minimum will make it all the more special when he does appear. In Lesnar's case, it's met with mixed results as there's a backlash against "part timers" among some fans, some fans who don't like the idea of a champion only defending the title once every 3 or 4 months, some fans haven't been thrilled with Lesnar's 2 defenses have both included John Cena.

In Taker's case, we'd only have what we saw from him last year at WrestleMania to base on and that wasn't very comforting. It looked like the wear & tear had definitely gotten the best of him as he simply looked old, he wasn't in great shape, he certainly wasn't in great cardio shape and the injuries he suffered during the match with Lesnar, according to reports, basically had him feeling banged up for months afterward. The result could be less interest in this match than Vince is hoping for or expecting and it could blow up in his face if Taker shows up to WrestleMania looking like death warmed over.

At the same time, this approach will generate some interest just in order to see how Taker is doing, how he looks and IF he's able to deliver a stronger performance last year. Another potential downside though is that this particular approach to building the match projects a strong probability of Taker winning against Wyatt, which in & of itself could kill some people's interest.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

There's no point withholding where he's been if there's no resolution to that. It's like a child that goes missing, then returns but doesn't say what happens. You're glad their back but you want them to give up the gossip.

5 weeks of Wyatt waffling on and somebody messing with the lights. This won't make me anticipate the match. It'll make me just wish the match had happened already.

 

[rbv13]

WM's Top Matches (3 of 4)
Lesnar vs. Reigns
Sting vs. Triple H
Wyatt vs. Taker

According to this report we will get zero Taker appearances. Likely two Sting/Lesnar appearances each. I'm not one to hate on part timers but this seems like a bit of an overkill. Plus side it leaves a lot of time to build the battle royal.

 

[Sexcellence of Sexecution]

I hope that Wyatt cuts promos for 5 weeks and then at Mania Undertaker doesn't show up. I'm against the entire idea of this match but I've made that point already.

IF, and that's a bit fucking if, you're going to do Taker/Wyatt after the Streak has ended (did I mention how stupid this is) then I think this is probably the way to do it. Having Wyatt say he wants to "put the final nail in the coffin" sort of makes sense I guess, but I question the logic of Wyatt talking so much about how the Undertaker was "broken" last year and is now a shell of what he was. When Bray puts him over at Mania, and make no mistake about it, Bray's putting him over, those promos make Bray look worse. It's the basic problem with the premise of the match. Undertaker IS a shell of his former self, so when Bray jobs to him it just makes Bray look like shit. And if Bray wins, who cares, the Streak has already been ended (you also get the added bonus of making Lesnar's win feel less special).

After the Streak ended, fans legitimately questioned whether we'd see the Undertaker ever again, and for good reason, so IF he is going to wrestle again I think you have to utilize that. So I do agree with the idea of him not appearing on RAW to play up the idea that he might truly be "broken" and his career may very well be over. Then when he does appear at WrestleMania it will come off more as a triumphant return from adversity.

But still, fuck this match.

 

[Dave]

Seriously? You're joking, right?

The whole point of the shows before WrestleMania is to hype the show. With the amount of money that the WWE sink into the production of such a showpiece event, you'd think that they would be trying to hype what they could whenever they could. Like it or not, the Undertaker is still a huge name in the WWE and has a lot of widespread appeal. People from outside the wrestling communities will want to see how he fares when he comes back to WWE again. Having him not appear and teasing that he won't be there only serves to put a wedge in that mainstream appeal. I don't get it.

Also, I don't want to see Bray have 5 weeks of unanswered promos. It makes us look like idiots and only makes Bray seem like less of a worthy competitor for the Undertaker. I mean, how is it going to look for the young man when he has been calling Taker out for over 2 months and has got no reply? That sucks.

I see what the WWE are trying to do, don't get me wrong. I just don't like it or think it will work.

 

[Mustang Sally]

The result could be less interest in this match than Vince is hoping for or expecting and it could blow up in his face if Taker shows up to WrestleMania looking like death warmed over.

Or, it could be the best strategy they can possibly muster, given that Mark Calaway really is just about at the finish line....and given the notion he's going to win this match, particularly if it's his last.

What can 'Taker really give us by showing up in advance of the event? A few dark admissions about what he's going to do to Bray Wyatt....and why he's going to do it?

Hell, as I see it, there is no real reason for 'Taker to have anything against Bray except that the man is calling him out. How much is there for him to say about that? Plus, it's always hard to understand what Undertaker is talking about anyway; if we feel the need to hear undecipherable promos, we can get all we want from Bray.

Undertaker needs a win to send him off to blissful retirement. I can't think of a reason for him to lose; if he was going to do that, he could have ended his career last year. Meanwhile, Bray can afford the loss; he's such a whack job he can absorb a defeat and keep on doing what he's been doing. He lost his feud to John Cena and kept working effectively afterward.

No, I can see Undertaker not showing up until WM31. It's not as if we don't already know who he is and I believe interest for the match will be high whether he graces us with his early presence or not.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

Bray Wyatt doesnt deserve to be in the same ring as Taker, yet alone in Mania match. His promos are dull and as much as WWE tries to make him look like Taker v2.00 he is not Taker and he is never gona be. That being said only thing that would make me interested in that feud is if Taker just comes out in next RAW and beats the crap of him in a minute just to show that Bray couldnt lace up his shoes and that match never happens.

Oh, and cant describe how stupid it is to not have Undertaker shows up at all before that match while Wyatt just rambles 5 weeks incoherently with lights on/off. I get what WWE is trying to do but its just downright stupid.

 

[Max Headroom]

I like that they're trying to be different, but different isn't always best. Why have, what is Taker's potential last match, go unadvertised? I mean it seems rather obvious that it's going down, but they should still let you know it 100% is. If they have him actually not show up, then all these promos were a huge waste of time. If they have him show up unadvertised, then that's not really a good business decision, is it?

However, in the end, as long as Wyatt comes out on top, then all is well. The notion that Wyatt should take the pin is insane, in my opinion. What does that accomplish? Absolutely nothing, that's what. Taker should show up (next week, preferably), and him and Wyatt will cut promos on each other leading up to WM, maybe have a brawl on the go home show. But, once the match takes place, Wyatt should absolutely dominate the match in convincing fashion, then shove Taker into a casket and off he goes until it's Hall of Fame time. Then Wyatt comes out of WM looking more credible than ever.

 

[Deoxyribonucleic A.C.I.D.]

I don't know.. I really can't buy the "Undertaker mystique" any more.

I know 'Taker doesn't do much, some chokeslams, lights go out, points at 'Mania. But I feel like, he really has to show up on one RAW at least. Maybe the go-home show for 'Mania.

Also, I still can't understand, why is Wyatt challenging Undertaker? What does he mean by "taking his soul"? Retire him? I was hoping for something like that to play into the story.

They've done this before at Wrestlemania 20 with Undertaker's match with Kane. Nut it was done in order to bring up the "Deadman" gimmick. I don't see them bringing back anything this year, although 'Taker appearing on a motorbike, with his "American Badass" persona, would be epic.

So, I'm against that idea. How does Bray Wyatt cutting meaningless promos for five weeks, help this match? Undertaker should make at least one appearance and speak some words, in order to address the situation, like "I'm dead no more" or something like that.

Bray Wyatt should also reveal his true purpose. Does he want to prove to the world & The Undertaker, that 'Taker can't go any longer? Does he want to retire 'Taker? Is he even trying to prove anything?

Things like that, Wyatt's purpose and Undertaker's status. should be answeared before 'Mania, in order to hype that match. Because currently, other than their entrances, there's nothing else to look forward. It's not like they are going to put a classic. Being able to even put a better match, than 'Taker vs Kane from WM 20, would be a miracle.

 

[Stone Cold Tea]

What can 'Taker really give us by showing up in advance of the event?

Wouldn't you like to hear 'taker address the fact he lost the streak last year?

Also with 'taker not showing up before WrestleMania we're missing out on a great opportunity for some promos between the two guys. Just imagine the theatrics and mind games they could play with eachother.

Personally I think this is a bad idea on WWEs behalf, are we really going to just have 'taker show up, fight, then potentially appear on the RAW after 'Mania? No build up? It's not like 'taker has a streak to defend now so surely we need some concrete reason as to why he is accepting Brays challenge. Without the streak to fuel the reason for these two to fight we need another reason for to be invested in this match.

 

[MCMG]

I don't hate the idea. It could definitely work and build anticipation for an Undertaker appearance. Plus, the idea we don't see him for an entire year is pretty special. Personally, I'd like to see The Undertaker return in his regular clothes with his theme song from around 2003 and have him distance himself from a match. Maybe hint at retirement and then allow Bray attack him and go from there. I think that would even further build to the anticipation of seeing him back as The Deadman.

Either way would be fine. The regular idea of Taker coming out and two going through the motions would be tedious and predictable. Let's hope they think a little out the box for this feud because, as of right now, I'm very excited.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Wouldn't you like to hear 'taker address the fact he lost the streak last year?

Yes, you're right, and that's an excellent point.

Honestly, I thought the time for that was in the weeks following the loss to Brock; if there were anyone who would lose after years of doing nothing but winning.... and address it graciously, it's 'Taker. On the other hand, it would probably be considered wildly out of character for Undertaker to do anything graciously. Once the months went by and we heard nothing from him, I figured the time had past.

But yes, even at this late date, if he were to talk about last year's Wrestlemania, I'd love to have him show up sometime in this coming month to do so.

Failing that, I'm not sure having him exchanging words of warning with Bray would accomplish very much.

 

[Kelsey2101]

I think people are mistaking a different kind of hype for this match as "no hype". I've been a life long undertaker fan and while I would love to see him appear before mania, I am intrigued with this different type of build. I'm also a huge fan of Bray and I am interested in the types of promos he will deliver in the coming weeks. In reality there is nothing for taker to really say to Bray besides coming out and pointing to the wrestle mania sign. I think bray is strong enough with his promos to deliver hype himself, and it will make it that much more special when fans finally see taker at mania after a whole year. This type of build will fill in for the missing mystique that has disappeared from the breaking of the streak.

I think this match will most definitely be advertised, as everyone knows the undertaker is obviously a huge draw at mania; it will just be advertised differently. I for one am so excited I will get to see the undertaker at another wrestlemania, and I can't wait to see the build for this match in the coming weeks!

 

[Darkshadow1234]

Not looking forward to this garbage match at mania.
Wyatt has proven that he is the worst wrestler on the roster. He cant wrestler, has mediorce mic skills( He mic skills are overrated), gasses out too quickly and all around a bad wrestler. If cena, jericho, kane, and ziggler cant get nothing out of him. What makes u think taker can.
Taker is a former shell of he once was. Taker should of retired at wrestle-mania 28 or 29. He cant carry a match no more. He is not the wrestler he once was. He is just mark calloway now.
Undertaker is dead.
Taker needs to stop wrestling before he hurts himself more.

They should of did taker vs sting as both of their last match of their career.
Taker vs wyatt is a match that should be on a random ppv. not at mania.