Should Undertaker retire now to preserve Mark Callaway?

[UnBEARaBULLfan]

Undertaker has worked for the WWF/WWE, and that's it.

He started out with WCCW in 1984 and went to WCW in 1989, I know most of you think that everything starts with WWE but, most wrestlers have a history before they came to the WWE especialy the older ones.

Everybody on here talks about how to many wrestlers stay past their prime or just stay around to long( Hogan,Flair,Funk), I know Undertaker is only in his mid forties but if like so many of you say that he should just wrestle one night a year at wrestlemania then it is time for him to retire and the only reason you want him to stay is for your own selfish reasons.

I like the Undertaker as much as anyone else, but if he needs as much time off as he takes after big matches to get ready for his next big match or fued then it is time for him to go because he is doing his body more harm than good and nobody want to see him cripple himself or anyone else.

 

[H33LTurn]

I know its kinda stupid but 19-0 just doesnt sound right. He should retire 20-0 for two reasons. 1, the WWE is running out of credible opponents for him. 2, the gimmick is getting old as well as he is. He just cant put on a show llike he used to be able to. WWE is taking a more reality oriented outlook and having a guy who dresses like a monster and pretends to be dead isnt exactly realistic. I think he'll be gone after 20-0.

 

[Chicago1989]

As hard as it would be to see Undertaker retire after all the years I grew up watching him, at this point, I can accept it. I feel in my opinion that he has contributed more than enough than he can for not just the WWE, but the entire wrestling business. There's no denying that Undertaker's an icon and an inspiration for future wrestlers, but there comes a point where you must stop. Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair don't get this..

I appreciate the concern you have about this subject Dowds because Undertaker deserves it. Hogan and Flair already had their moment of appreciation and glory but they ruined it. What else can we love about these guys NOW?

I would say hopefully Undertaker retires sometime next year. His character just doesn't work in today's wave of wrestling and his time is just up. But I would miss him .

 

[ahoyhoy]

He looked in physical pain all the way through the Triple H match. And I don't just mean the end, I mean walking down the ramp he looked in trouble. This isn't the indies or the olden days where you need to keep going because you only earn a dollar a show, this man is a millionaire and this man is already a legend - the WWE will go on without him and he can hopefully take a few years like Shawn did to see if his body ever sorts itself out. Then maybe one last push for the 20-0 at WM30 for the biggest match ever v. Whoever the great face is. 20 and not 19 is not important in my eyes and it shouldn't be for him.

Of course if Sting becomes available I take this all back.

His last match will be that 20-0 though. Oh and to whoever said the thing about McCool - 1. maybe try not being cynical about everything 2. its not like he will be a bitter and destroyed man - he'll be given a job for life in creative.

 

[Kingofthedeathmatch]

What they should do is have him only compete at Wrestlemania from now on. Every year (as long as he can) have somebody step up with the intent of ending the streak and have him comeback after the Royal Rumble for promos and such. Something like trying to pull the sword out the stone.

 

[berlinbrawler]

I think Mark Callaway knows best if he should go on or not. He's a big boy.

Would I like to see it? Definitely. I want to see 20-0. Big, round, psychologically satisfying number. Which DVD would you buy, "19-0" or "20-0"?

Besides, I honestly do think that reports about Undertaker's condition after Wrestlemania are greatly exaggerated. I think his being carried out on a stretcher was part of the script, excellently performed. It was designed to humanize the Undertaker and make him look hurt, on the one hand to justify his upcoming lengthy absence (possibly as long s until Wrestlemania next year) and on the other hand to set up the rematch next year and make fans wonder that "If Triple H almost killed him the last time, does Taker even stand a chance one year later and one year older?" This is all part of the setup for a worthy 20-0.

That,plus the whole Cena-Rock deal kinda make it clear, why Wrestlemania was only so-so. It was all just a setup for the next one.

 

[futurediva15]

I agree with the idea of this thread, one hundred percent. The Undertaker has his streak, OK, we all know it. However, he couldn't even celebrate the keeping of his streak because he was soo injured. It's sad, honestly. I think that he should retire. No one will ever break his streak, he's a future hall of famer, and one of the greatest to ever do it. What else does he have to do? Triple H lost at Wrestlemania and even he walked out of the arena, seriously, Taker could barely even stand. For the sake of his health and well being outside of the WWE, he needs to retire before he does permanent damage and maybe damage that can't be fixed, he's basically killing himself by doing such high risk matches, honestly, it isn't worth it to risk that much just to keep winning matches.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

For the sake of his health and well being outside of the WWE, he needs to retire before he does permanent damage and maybe damage that can't be fixed, he's basically killing himself by doing such high risk matches, honestly, it isn't worth it to risk that much just to keep winning matches.

This is my argument in a nutshell. The character is meant to be able to do all these superhuman things, but it's the man playing him that suffers for it in the long run.

I still don't think that him getting to 20-0 matters so much, it's just an aesthetic thing, it doesn't nullify the achievement of the streak just because he's not at a round number. Plus, 'The Streak' is what it is called, the numbers just show how long it lasted.

 

[jaceynightheat]

I think Undertaker should retire after the streak of 20-0. Have a big match! Even a rematch with Triple H. Career vs Streak match again. The Undertaker wins the match but the character dies. We saw Undertaker having to be carted out, I thought they were going to do that storyline this time so he could retire.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Besides, I honestly do think that reports about Undertaker's condition after Wrestlemania are greatly exaggerated. I think his being carried out on a stretcher was part of the script, excellently performed. It was designed to humanize the Undertaker and make him look hurt, on the one hand to justify his upcoming lengthy absence (possibly as long s until Wrestlemania next year) and on the other hand to set up the rematch next year and make fans wonder that "If Triple H almost killed him the last time, does Taker even stand a chance one year later and one year older?" This is all part of the setup for a worthy 20-0.

See it's not only what the reports say, I'm also going by my vision. Each time he returns after a big match despite having a lengthy resting period, he never looks totally fit. This has probably been more noticeable since his first WM match with Shawn.

I'm not taking anything away from his performances, but the physical damage he's doing to himself at this late stage in his career I really don't agree with. There really is nothing left for him to prove, and it's a sad sight to see such a veteran constantly return for matches where big spots are expected of him. That's how I see it.

 

[Piss Bucket]

I want the Undertaker to do an Edge and retire while he's still relatively healthy, despite obvious injuries, if he's forced to retire due to serious life threatening injury it wouldn't be as good for his legacy IMO. I know he's only 19-0, but let's face it who else is there for him to fight to make it 20? He's defeated HHH twice, and countless others have tried and failed to beat the streak!

 

[roy]

what is with this 20 and 0 thing? it's just a number.

for me now seeing what has happened to edge i would want taker to stop. stop while you are ahead.

there is always one more milestone people will want from you. hell why not 30-0? face rock,cena,sting,punk,barrett,austin,khali,mysterio and hornswaggle too. (being sarcastic.)

it is just time to stop. taker is 46 for god's sake. if this was any other sport he would be done already. yet i feel like this business plays off of wrestlers love of the business and so many would leech taker just for entertainments sake. eff that. taker could do good things in the company right now. he is needed. along with edge hopefully i feel like the more people like taker that have a hand in things behind the scenes the better.

 

[futurediva15]

Undertaker needs to retire. I honestly don't think WWE would build up his return so much just to have him disappear and show up AGAIN right before mania next year; it's time to hang it up Taker, maybe do something behind the scenes, support your wife, something like that, but for the sake of everything you've worked for in your life, just hang up the boots. And I do mean that with the utmost respect, btw.

 

[Twisted]

I had the original idea of 20-0 for legit reason. He could do a streak vs career match with HHH. Beat HHH but collapses and "dies". Arena goes dark and druids appear and carry him to the entrance of the ramp. Lightning bolt strikes and his body disappears. So see two guys retire before they come wheeling down the ramp on Raw or Smackdown to cut a promo.

This however creates a problem. Will Mark break his precious kayfabe to be put into the HOF? I feel they are trying to make his character more human that way he doesn't have to "die" and can just walk away. Think like a 10yr old. He is undead and was beaten at WM and now "died" so why is he up on stage at the HOF giving a teary speech? Now that kid thinks, "how many other wrestlers are just fake?" I know its facing reality but a kid has to have something to beleive don't they?

Something nobody has brought up is this. He beats HHH and retires him but decides to call it. He still is undefeated and an asterisk can be put there that HHH took him to the limit and he felt he couldn't go anymore.

 

[roy]

This however creates a problem. Will Mark break his precious kayfabe to be put into the HOF? I feel they are trying to make his character more human that way he doesn't have to "die" and can just walk away. Think like a 10yr old. He is undead and was beaten at WM and now "died" so why is he up on stage at the HOF giving a teary speech? Now that kid thinks, "how many other wrestlers are just fake?" I know its facing reality but a kid has to have something to beleive don't they?

these ten year olds have access to the internet and all other kinds of info. it isn't going to take them long to know it's fake. matter of fact go to yahoo answers and there is a kid there everyday asking if wrestling is fake.

if a kid needs something to believe in and that thing is believing a deadman works for a company wrestling on tv than i don't know what to say to that.

 

[byrnside]

Personally I could care less if it was 20-0, 19-0, 25-0 or 19-1. The Undertaker has given so much to the business and entertained me for over 20 years. I have to side with him, if he wants to keep going, I say keep going. I felt the same way about Flair when he retired. I still thoroughly enjoyed his matches even if he had man breasts and looked 100 years old. The Undertaker is still one of the best. Period.

 

[Dagger Dias]

He probably will retire soon.... but I bet they are trying to see if he can make it to 20-0 at Wrestlemania. You're right that it doesn't HAVE to be a round number, but being undefeated for two decades sound better than 19-0, doesn't it? Undertaker cannot be around forever and WWE knows that. Mark Callaway knows what he's doing, he won't do things that would put his career in jeapordy. He's one of the best and knows exactly what he is capable of, so don't worry about it. Whether he retires at 19-0 or 20-0, or sticks around longer than a year from now (which is unlikely) he will retire soon because as he is getting old and cannot keep doing this forever. Now is not the right time though. Going 20-0 just sounds right.

 

[iwinulose]

-i get what you are saying, im a huge mark for wwe and undertaker, though, 20-0 would feel like a complete number, then undertaker retires after 1 huge match and preferably he leaves on his own 2 feet. wwe wouldnt hate him for it if he said he was done, he could leave whenever he wants to and no one would hate on him for it. personally i would love to see him make it 20-0 and then quietly retire and be inducted into the HOF.
-however if he retired before he has still done something no one else ever has or will do so no matter what happens he will go down as a legend, but his last match, him being taken out of the ring on a stretcher? i kinda dislike it ending like that, not for undertaker, not him.

 

[poppycock]

I think only one person can and should answer that question and that is The Undertaker himself. I'm still not sure how much of the post Wrestlemania match turn of events were scripted and how much were him actually tired, injured..but I am guessing his career is now winding down..I am sure Mark will know when enough is enough and call it a day when the time is right for him (I can't see him doing a Hogan,Flair anyhow). Perhaps the end of the Wrestlemania match was to set up an American Badass mortal human form Undertaker return...

I would love one more Title run from him..one more fued with Kane to end the saga...even one more Undertaker lead stable to cast a dark shadow over the WWE...one more Wrestlemania match to round it off to 20-0..

but if Mark is too beat up and we really have seen the end of The undertaker I have no complaints about what he has given us over the years and he will always be my favourite WWE character/wrestler.

 

[Xemmy]

Undertaker's schedule will allow him one more match. And I would have a problem with him retiring right now. He just needs one more match. That's it. I know it's a little selfish to ask given his health, but I think he can go one more time without it effecting his health permanently. His schedule is light enough.

Though, at his age, yes he should probably retire. And when it happens, I'm probably going to sob like a bitch.

 

[berlinbrawler]

From the newsboard:

While sources close to The Undertaker are not ruling out the possibility of him working a match at next year's WrestleMania, the feeling right now is that he will not compete in a match until then. It's being said that The Undertaker is in far worse condition physically than is being lead on, and there is an expectation that The Undertaker will win a match at WrestleMania 28 and then retire from WWE with a 20-0 'Mania record.

That should pretty much confirm what many have been assuming already. 20-0 is still the plan, but seeing him wrestle before or after that is unlikely.

I expect 20-0 to be his last real match. After that he will be 99.98% retired, limited to occasional guest appearances.
He may even return every year for a 3-minute squash match at Wrestlemania against midcarders (who will probably fight over who may do the honors of getting destroyed by the old man), artificially keeping the streak alive. It could become a small annual tradition to see the deadman rise from the grave once every year to deliver a tombstone. No matter how broken down his body is, that is easily in the cards.

There is, of course, the chance that Mark Calloway will not want to do that and prefers to end with a real match and perhaps ride into the sunset instead of turning into an annual gimmick.

 

[ijnfleetadmiral]

I recently thought of a GREAT farewell for The Deadman:

MONDAY NIGHT RAW
Alberto del Rio comes out and starts blathering on and on about how he's the best and it's his destiny to be the best or whatever he says, when Coleslaw gets an email from the RAW GM.

COLE:
(After going through his little BS routine that makes everyone in the arena wanna beat the s**t out of him) Alberto, you are constantly talking about destiny. You have faced many people in your quest for a title, but there is one person you have not yet faced, and he will be your opponent at Wrestlemania XXVIII.

Cole sits back down and Del Rio looks around as if to say, "Well? Who is it?" The crowd is on pins and needles waiting to see who it is.

THE GONG sounds, said crowd goes bats**t crazy, and Del Rio has an 'oh, F**K, not him!' expression on his face. THE GONG sounds again, the lights go out, and the crowd gets crazier. THE GONG sounds a third time, and the lights come up to reveal 'Taker standing in the ring with Del Rio.

Del Rio (rather stupidly) goes on the attack, but 'Taker chokeslams him and stands over him in victory to end the show. Thus begins their rivalry leading up to a Hell In A Cell match at 'Mania 28.

Wrestlemania XXVIII
The HIAC match is one of the most-anticipated on the card, but Michael Cole has taken Del Rio's side and is constantly talking trash about The Deadman, and tonight is no exception. 'Taker beats Del Rio to a bloody pulp, then walks over to the cell door, which has been chained and padlocked shut. He makes a motion with his hands, and the chains on the cell door blow apart (rigged, of course, but it adds to the whole 'Powers of the Deadman' thing). 'Taker walks out of the ring, goes over to the announce table, and gives Coleslaw a thunderous Tombstone Piledriver through the announce table before toppling the RAW GM's computer stand on top of him like a tombstone (thus ending the anonymous RAW GM schtick, as said individual is revealed on the next RAW, and also putting an end to Cole's announcing career, bringing Jim Ross back to replace him on both RAW and SmackDown).

'Taker then climbs onto the top of the HIAC cage, and stands in victory as '20-0' is flashed on the TitanTron and a huge pyro display goes off as the HIAC cage is slowly raised into the ceiling, with 'Taker still on top, never to be seen in WWE again.

Talk about a Last Ride into the sunset!

Thoughts?

-Matt