Taker VS Lesnar: Good Idea Or Bad Idea?

[Jack-Hammer]

As we've all no doubt read about for the past few months and many have hoped to have happen for even longer, Brock Lesnar is reportedly one of the top candidates to challenge The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX. There's also been talk of Brock Lesnar facing The Rock but whether or not that can actually happen is up in the air due not only to Rock's schedule but the fact that his injuries suffered during his match with Cena have caused him to rethink getting back into the ring.

Lesnar is someone that a lot of people would love to see go after Taker and I've no doubt that it'd be a big money match. Lesnar's a legit badass that would have no trouble generating the type of hype needed to make Taker's streak seem in jeopardy. The drawback to this match is The Undertaker in & of himself. It's been well documented over the past several years that the wear & tear of the business has caught up to Taker with a vengeance. He's had surgeries on his hips, his shoulders, his knees, and some of the surgeries, allegedly, haven't really been of a major benefit due to him putting them off for long periods of time. He's been hurt significantly after both of his matches with Triple H, so much to the extent that there have been more talks of him retiring in the past few years than ever. During Taker's angle involving The Shield earlier this year, he was reportedly injured after taking a powerbomb through the announce table. Prior to the revelation of this injury, there was heavy talk of him teaming with Kane to take on The Shield at a tag match at SummerSlam.

On Raw last night, CM Punk suffered another injury during one of the brawls with Brock Lesnar as part of the build for their SummerSlam match. This time, Punk's chin was lacerated and required 4 stitches to close it. During their first brawl, he was pretty banged up because of Lesnar's extremely stiff style. Lesnar is either someone who doesn't seem to have the necessary skill to protect his opponent or he simply doesn't care enough to protect them. I know that injuries can happen to anyone involved in pro wrestling at any time, but there's always seems to be an uncommonly high number of injuries involving Lesnar when you consider the rarity of his appearances. As a result, I'm not sure Taker could honestly withstand a match against Lesnar at this point in his career & life. With Lesnar's style, I see no way for Taker to compete against Lesnar without getting hurt. By WrestleMania XXX, Taker will officially be 49 years of age and, again considering how stiff Lesnar is, I think there is a legit chance that this could be Taker's last match not so much by choice but by inability to continue.

As a fan, however, I do understand the desire to see this match as it could be epic if pulled off, but is the potential price to Taker's health & safety worth it?

 

[Dan Severn's Moustache]

It depends on the way you look at it.

On the financial side of things, it's a great idea. Undertaker and Lesnar had a high-profile feud in 2003 over the WWE Championship and it would be great to revive their rivalry. Despite his injuries, Undertaker can still put on annual great matches and 10 years ago, he and Lesnar's styles worked quite well together. Lesnar and Undertaker are both big draws in their own right and both men can put on a MOTY candidate if they tried.

The problem is, as you mentioned is that Brock is too rough. Taker has been noticeably much more frail in recent years and coupled with Brock's roughness, it could put him on the sidelines maybe permanently. Maybe a few years back it would have been a much better idea, but I'm not sure if the risk is worth the reward.

I'm going to have to say Bad Idea, although it's very close. Part of me does want them to fight again, but there are better options than Lesnar that can put on a safer match with Taker and potentially draw money such as Cena. Taker could also put over other talent such as Dean Ambrose in a sense, in that while Taker still wins, he makes Ambrose look good doing it. Both Ambrose, Cena and a few other choices are ultimately safer workers, and can still be used effectively to create a good match. This'll mean that Taker will have a few more Wrestlemania matches left in the tank so he round it off to 25-0, where he can safely retire.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

It's a double-edged sword either way you look at it. On one hand, WWE gets the surefire blockbuster main event they're looking for. If Taker VS Lesnar happens at Mania XXX, it has to go on last. WWE can't risk another burnt out crowd scenario for the pair of other wrestlers, who have to follow this match. But on the other hand, Taker is taking a serious risk by facing Lesnar.

My reservations about the upcoming Lesnar VS Punk match aren't limited to the size difference. A lot of my worries stem from the fact that Lesnar might actually legit hurt Punk. Brock Lesnar is a rough and mean bastard, who hardly holds anything back in his matches. Not only did Triple H and Cena have the size to make a match with Lesnar believable, but both men have the muscle mass and build to withstand the punishment from Lesnar.

This time around, Lesnar being a legit MMA fighter and champion is a major selling point for his character. If you payed close attention to Lesnar's brief promo backstage last night, you would've heard Lesnar say something along the lines of "this is the best (referring to CM Punk) this world has to offer?" Lesnar being this legit fighting machine/bad ass is the basis of his character, so you can't just water that down to the point where it's almost insignificant. So while I would love to see this match, it's kind of hard to ignore the legit concerns for Taker's safety, health, and well-being.

Although, if it happens, I could see Heyman building up Lesnar as the guy to finally end the streak, and Lesnar as the guy, who's capable of doing what Punk couldn't do at Wrestlemania 29.

Something else to consider is, if Lesnar VS Undertaker happens this year, then I think you can forget about Taker VS Cena for the future. Year after year, WWE has played up the fact of Taker getting weaker, and barely holding on to defend the streak. Remember, the major storyline going into his Wrestlemania 28 match with Triple H was Taker having to prove he can still be the man again, after being carted away, and not being ale to leave the ring on his own two feet at Mania 27. It's safe to say Taker is running on borrowed time, and at fifty years old, I can't picture a match with Cena at Wrestlemania.

 

[themick]

Count me in the Option C camp. Obviously I'd love to see the match, and the buildup can have an interesting twist as opposed to Taker's last few WM matches. Since Lesnar got the better of Taker during their feud in 2002-03, Taker can be the one saying he has something to prove by finally beating Lesnar, compared to the usual storyline of someone trying to end the streak. He'd be the hunter instead of the hunted, as it were.

But having the match itself would make me extremely nervous given Taker's health issues and Brock's style. I noticed this year that Taker and Punk had virtually no physicality prior to their WM match, and I think that was in part due to concerns about Taker's ability to handle it. Even the match itself was not quite Taker's best. Obviously the concerns with Brock would be that much greater. I think Punk did a really good job in that match, and I'm not sure Brock could/would do the same.

 

[Irishock]

Terrible idea. As long as you have Brock on the card, it's going to draw. There's nothing to be gained from Taker and Lesnar part 5. You could put Lesnar and Punk part 2, or even Lesnar and Batista, and it'd still draw the same. It's not a dream match and it's not worth risking Taker's health. No one in the right frame of mind would think that Lesnar has any shot at defeating Taker, and it'll make Lesnar look weak for losing consecutive WM bouts.

 

[Aquaman6686]

Terrible idea, but not for the reasons stated in the poll. I don't see Brock Lesnar as a match worthy of Undertaker, especially not at a WrestleMania. Lesnar is a mediocre wrestler who left WWE in part because he didn't want to job to Undertaker in the first place. Lesnar has done absolutely nothing to deserve the honor of facing Undertaker. That spot should go to someone who has both earned it and who can put on a great match with Undertaker on the biggest show of the year. Lesnar doesn't meet either criteria.

 

[Glenn21]

In my Personal Opinion , i think Taker can't handle a match with Lesnar anymore , he already has some injuries behind him and let's face it , Lesnar isn't an easy man , As a fan i would love to see it but it won't happen

 

[MCMG]

The problem is that Taker has had a lot of injuries and Lesnar, since his return, has been very physical. Indeed, looking at Lesnar's opponents since his return have been Cena, HHH, Punk. The two top guys who I presume work very hard throughout the year and HHH who is obviously now willing to put his body on the line for the company. Moreover, all three are tough so there is no problem there. Taker is a less safe option because he only works one match a year.

Lesnar would simply be a dangerous option and The Undertaker may have to retire unwillingly. If this was his last Mania then I would be more on board with it. In my opinion, Lesnar shouldn't face The Rock or Taker at WM30. Cena/Taker would be my preferred choice and maybe Lesnar/Sheamus.

 

[ComeOnVince]

Taker/Warrior.

Just kidding.

I think it's a bad idea because it would be a bad match.

I also think it will be a travesty if the 'Taker match goes on last, ahead of the WWE Title, especially if it's (and it probably won't be) Punk/Bryan.

But, if the WWE Title match is Punk/Bryan, 'Taker will probably go on last, which such a carton of eggs.

Would love to see Cena do the job to Taker, and for Taker to be done.

 

[The Eighties]

There have been lots of stories about Taker's injuries and what terrible physical condition he is in, but how much is true we don't know. At the end of the day Taker is as tough as old boots, if he wants the match with Lesnar at Mania he'll get it, unless of course Rock decides he wants to wrestle Brock in which case Taker will have to find someone else.

Personally Brock vs Punk is the one I've wanted and it's happening, and we already got Brock vs Cena (which I wouldn't mind seeing again in truth). After that I don't care who Brock wrestles, I'd prefer Taker over Rock though as Taker still brings it in the ring.

If this boils down purely to a Vince decision based off money then the smart choice is Taker vs Cena, it's safer and in my view will draw bigger than Taker vs Brock.

 

[JoVilla21]

As a fan, it would be interesting to see, especially with Heyman. Could you imagine the promo Heyman would give to Taker? Obviously he didn't do it this year cause Punk is amazing on the mic and didn't need Heyman to speak for him, but Brock need's Heyman to speak for him.

Heyman could say "Last year you got away but you won't this year. This year it's not CM Punk, it's the beast, BRRRROCCKKKKK LESSNUUURRRRR!!!!!

You can also bring up their history. Taker's never beaten Brock.

But I wouldn't want to see Taker carried out in a stretcher.

 

[samhunt391]

But Paul Heyman is that guy that talks confidence with that sign of fear in his voice when it comes to Taker. I remember when SmackDown had that Taker vs Heidenreich storyline and he was a Paul Heyman guy, it sort of put me off the feud. If it was Taker V Brock I would want Heyman as far away as I could from it.

 

[mrjoe94]

Taker/Warrior.

Just kidding.

I think it's a bad idea because it would be a bad match.

I also think it will be a travesty if the 'Taker match goes on last, ahead of the WWE Title, especially if it's (and it probably won't be) Punk/Bryan.

But, if the WWE Title match is Punk/Bryan, 'Taker will probably go on last, which such a carton of eggs.

Would love to see Cena do the job to Taker, and for Taker to be done.

I'm sorry but Taker will always be ahead of guys like Punk and Bryan. They're the two best of the current generation but Takers legacy, especially at Wrestlemania will always take precedence. As of whether this match is a good idea. Definitely, it's a good IDEA. Should it happen? I voted for C. What I don't get is why Lesnar is so stiff all of a sudden. He was never that bad in 2003 was he? If I recall Undertaker and Brock know each other pretty well so I would say go ahead. I'm sure Lesnar can take it easy on the old man P),

 

[Redemption-2012]

No, it's not worth the risk and should not happen. As a fan, I would love to see it but from Undertaker's perspective and the fact that Brock Lesnar could potentially end his career I would rather be less selfish and say no. I don't care how big of a draw the match would be and i'm sure it would be, there's just too much risk involved. The match itself would probably be pretty good but if Lesnar injured Taker with his kind of power it would be the end of The Undertaker and the streak, something the fans would not be happy about.

 

[Da Solo]

Screw how big the draw is, Lesnar is one stiff wrestler in the ring. Add to that the fact that there is legitimate heat between the two, and Taker might end up in a serious predicament regarding his health. I'm not trying to paint Taker out to be defenseless; he can hold his own when he wants (like the time he jaw jacked Hassan at the Bash), but Lesnar is much younger and stronger. Taker is a ring general, he'll put his body in Lesnar's hands out of trust as a professional. Knowing the relationship between the two, I can't honestly say Brock will be compassionate at all.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

There's a report going about now hinting that Taker MIGHT have agreed to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE changed the planned finish of CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, indicating a possibility that Taker has agreed to face Lesnar at the big show next year. As a result, WWE officials didn't want Lesnar to go into WrestleMania XXX against Taker with a 2-3 record since his return to WWE.

So if this report is true and plans ultimately don't change, then it looks like it will indeed be Taker vs. Lesnar as one of the top matches at WrestleMania XXX. Taker should get as much for the match as he can as it might very well be his last.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

There are two things I don't like about this:

1. it may leave Punk hanging. Punk came out of both WM29 and SS looking golden but also with a loss to each of these guys. My hope wasd that he could get his retribution and a win over one of the two at WM30. Maybe now Punk can get the win I've been waiting for him to get over HHH instead.

2. If Taker wins, it kind of kills Brock for me. I thought he was under contract for at least one more year after this. I know it's WM but to see Brock lose to a guy at an age as advanced as Taker would be kind of sad. I know Lesnar would get in plenty of offense and probably dominate the match but for some reason losing to Taker would kill Lesnar's "Beast Factor" for me.

However, if this is it for Taker, I've warmed up to the idea of Lesnar getting the rub. He may be part time but he's been mostly entertaining. If he is going to stick around for a while, having this on his resume is a good thing. Throw in having Heyman ringside and there to help the build would be terrific.

But most importantly if it keeps us from having to see Cena vs UT at WM30 then do it, don't question it, just do it. Don't reconsider, don't weigh any past consideration, just book the match and move forward.

And for anyone worrying about Lesnar's rough style - don't worry, Taker knows how to put on his big boy pants. He's been doing this probably longer than you've been yanking your crank, not as frequently but longer.

 

[Blade]

A match with CM Punk followed by a powerbomb through a table and Undertaker needed several months off. We may not even see him until Wrestlemania. In fact, that's the most likely scenario. I genuinely think the Undertaker is in bad shape when needs a whole year to recover between Wrestlemania matches.

CM Punk has a reputation for being safe in the ring, there's not an instance I can think of where he's injured someone else. The Powerbomb through the table is likely to cause some damage. But Big Show and Mark Henry took the powerbombs and were back within a week, and they aren't much younger than 'Taker, plus they have their weight going against them. And they certainly haven't had a schedule that means they only have to wrestle 1 or 2 matches a year, like the Undertaker has had in the last 2 or 3 years. Taker is beat up, in Mark Henry's own words.

Lesnar is an absolute beast. And knowing what shape Taker is in, it'd be like watching Lesnar beating up Vince McMahon or Bret Hart. Taker is a bad ass, but he's also a 48 year old man who, according to reports, has a body that's starting to break down. So I'd feel much more comfortable if Undertaker wrestled someone a bit safer, like Cena, the Rock or a Punk rematch.

Undertaker should have retired after Wrestlemania 28. But the WWE need him because there are so few genuine draws for Wrestlemania, and the Undertaker is paying for it. I'm sure Taker still loves it, but he must get sick of being in pain all the time. And surely Michelle McCool wants him to retire. So yeah, give Taker a match with Cena and then let him retire.

 

[brandon5303]

As great as 'Taker/Lesnar would be for all of us as fans, I really don't think it should happen. This will possibly, even probably, be the Undertaker's last match ever. The last match in the career of someone whose name carries as much weight as his should be against either a legendary rival or a huge star with whom they haven't interacted much. Lesnar definitely fits into the second category, having never had an encounter with the Undertaker's Dead Man persona, but his style may be just a bit too hard-hitting for 'Taker at this point in his career, even if it is potentially his last match. For Undertaker's final match he should probably face someone like Kane, with whom he has established great chemistry with over the last 15 years and who has a history with him that could make for great drama, even if it is a Face vs. Face match. Alternately, John Cena would be a great choice. Going into this match, the doubt over the Streak would be at an all-time high. Excluding the Rock and Daniel Bryan, Cena hasn't been pinned clean in a singles match in years. The Undertaker hasn't either. Very few people would feel safe betting on either man to win. The only problem with this scenario is the nuclear heat that Cena, or anyone else, would draw for ending the Streak. These are just my thoughts on the subject.

 

[shalliin]

I think that hte best possible match at this point for Taker at WM30 is Taker vs Bryan. His match with Punk should show that Taker can handle the technical style and match well in a meeting of opposites against Bryan. And by doing this you get the best of both worlds: A match that is stylistically similar to WM29 but with a different opponent then last years match. The back to back matches against same opponent is done with 2 years of HBK and then 2 of HHH, its' time to break that cycle.
And there's no one on the roster that deserves a boost/rub that a match with Taker at Mania would give more then Bryan. No one else is currently in position to deserve this moment, unless something major changes in the 4-6 months that Cena and Shamus are out of action. A Taker/Bryan match would not only be entertaining, but as much as I want the streak to continue, I honestly believe that Bryan could be the one to deserve breaking it and beating Taker at Mania.Even a submission win via the Lebell/Yes/No lock would be a good way to end the streak.
Forget Brock, he's not worth it and certainly doesn't deserve the match against Taker, especially not at Mania. And in case people have forgotten, Taker and Brock had some real heat between them so I'm not sure if Brock could be trusted to keep a match professional between them, and the moment he tried to step out of line, Taker would put him in his place.

 

[Kidpolean]

I hate some of you guys...STOP with the stupid Daniel Bryan or cm punk should end the streak nonsense. Neither of those guys deserve to end the streak, hell Bryan shouldn't even get a match with Taker. Why would you have a guy that has never REALLY held the wwe title, only main evented like 1 ppv his whole career, lost at WM28 in 13 seconds and was in a crappy tag match at WM29, and who is 5 foot nothing end the streak. Bryan and Punk have to be the two most overrated wrestlers of all time. Don't get me wrong, they are good but in the AE, Bryan would be on Sunday night heat and punk might have been good enough for the European title. Taker should only face stars or legends from now on..Lesnar, Cena, Rock are the only options and they should all lose. Maybe Kane because their history. And to the guy that said Taker should tap out to the yes lock, I wish I could come through your computer screen and punch you in the face!

 

[XXJJ]

Undertaker vs Cena at WM XXX seems like the biggest $$$ match in the WWE. I think that would be a bigger draw than Taker vs Lesnar. Especially with Cena returning from his injury around WM season. Cena making his comeback to challenge Taker's WM steak would be big.

 

[Terry Gyimah]

Taker vs Lesnar in my opinion is a great idea but at the same time I think that personally that they should wait until after WrestleMania 30 to build up this feud but to build it up right but I agree with whoever said that it would be a travesty but at the same time just off of name value alone the match would draw

 

[HBsam31]

Brock dominated Taker in there initial feud even getting a win inside Hell in a Cell. It would not be believable to me that Taker could beat him 10 years later. I don't think it makes for a good Mania match for that reason because we all know Taker is going to get the win. I also don't think Taker's body could handle being in the ring with Brock. I think they should just leave this one alone.

 

[lowandmighty]

I think it's a good idea. I would love to see this match at wrestlemania. Brock Lesnar is a believable threat to taker and that's what his situation needs.

Undertakers age isn't an excuse for me. When Lesnar wrestled Hulk Hogan, the Hulkster was about the same age Undertaker is now and was way more banged up than the Undertaker is too.

I don't agree with the people who are saying it would be a bad match because what is probably a bad match for you would be a good one to me. I love to see the really big guys wrestle, besides the anticipation in the storyline and the threat to takers health would all be part of the entertainment. Lesnar having his head screwed with would be gold too.

The one thing I wouldn't like to see is Paul Heyman involved. I actually find Heyman annoying, him and Vickie Guerrero (and no disrespect to eddie) should get married or something and leave us all alone. I thought Lesnar did really great as a heel without him back in 2004.