We Should Worry About The Next Undertaker Instead Of The Next Hogan, Austin, Or Rock

[Cena's Little Helper]

In order to make the point I wish to make in this post, I must first put forth two observations. First, many wrestling fans today are in the habit of bemoaning WWE's current lack of a wrestler who has been able to garner the respect (or at least the toleration) of those who inhabit the land of pop-culturedom. Whether this habit arises from a sense of guilt for liking something which many consider unredeemable, from an erroneous belief that such an aforementioned wrestler would suffice to turn around WWE's current product, or from something else altogether, I am not sure of. However, I am quite sure of that which is both implied by this and serves as my second observation: relative to what could be, current WWE fans with grievances are unable to see how good things really are. Furthermore, I believe that nothing substantiates this observation more than the Undertaker and his impending retirement.

Almost surely to be "hanging it up" within the next two years, the Undertaker, throughout his 17+ years with WWE, has been able to do something that few others have accomplished (Randy Savage and Bret Hart are the only other wrestlers that come to my mind): remaining relevant while at the same time generously rotating between WWE's main-event and mid-card scene. Moreover, even in the face of what some would call an "era of instant gratification" and monthly pay-per-views which call for condensed and rushed storylines, he has been able to partake in feuds that, while lasting over periods of three to four months, still rivet us (sure, most of the time these feuds do not serve as the main reason why we watch WWE, but they engage us nonetheless).

While one could justifiably look at this last paragraph as nothing more than me verbally ******ing the Undertaker, I must say that it also serves to describe an "endangered species" of wrestler that provides a vital link between the mid-card and main-event in WWE. Unfortunately, there currently exists in WWE a "credibility chasm" between the main-event and mid-card that grows wider and wider by the day. Main-eventers in WWE are no longer wrestlers who enjoy reasonable stays in the championship picture interspersed with entertaining feuds with those of either equal or lesser repute. Instead, main-eventers now form a virtually impenetrable circle who nourish themselves indiscriminately on those excluded and only lose to each other. Similarly, mid-carders are no longer wrestlers with the opportunity to become main-eventers or who, like main-eventers in their downtimes, engage in entertaining feuds with those of equal repute. Instead, they are nothing more than fodder for those above them. Save for the Undertaker and, to some extent, Shawn Michaels, no longer do there exist many wrestlers at the top of WWE who take honor in nothing more than partaking in well-written and -played storylines, putting on good matches, and helping those below them who help themselves and are determined to succeed.

So, assuming that the birth of the next Hogan, Austin, or Rock could even take place in WWE's current environment, why should we worry so much about a wrestler of this type? Shouldn't we, as loyal wrestling fans, be more worried about the emergence of a wrestler (or more wrestlers) like the Undertaker, who allows for the mobility of mid-carders, and thus for the company's evolution, and on whom we can depend on for consistent entertainment?

 

[michaelj817]

Not exactly where I thought you were going to go with this thread when I read the title, but an excellent post. I agree that the chasm is growing wider and wider by the day between the mid-card and main event scene. However, even if the wrestling world is waiting for a savior in the form of another Rock, Hogan, or Austin instead of someone who can move throughout the card, ask yourself who were wrestlers they worked with that made them look so good.

This isn't an Austin, Rock Hogan thread, and everyone knows what they accomplished, so I don't need to go into any of that. But in all three of their main event stints they all worked with guys who were able to move seamlessly throughout a card from current jerker to main event and were main eventers in their own right when their promotions needed them to be. To name a few:Hogan-Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, Ted Dibiase, Roddy Piper, Iron Sheik, King Kong Bundy, Terry Funk, Don Muraco, Paul Orndorff, Vader, Sting, Ric Flair. Austin-Jake Roberts, Brian Pillman, Bret Hart, The Rock, Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle, HHH, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Kane, Mick Foley, Chris Jericho. Rock-Benoit, Angle, HHH, Undertaker, Kane, Foley, Jericho, Billy Gunn, Ken Shamrock, Big Show.

So to take your question a step further...should wwe be grooming more workhorse superstars such as Undertaker who can move up and down a card, so that they can help put over someone the public and WWE management view as a successor to the Austin/Rock/Hogan main event mantle?

In my mind, a top contender for a role like this at this point in his career is HHH. Back in 2001, when he won the IC title after he had been WWF Champ, it made the title mean something. Then when he lost it to Jeff Hardy, it made it mean so much more than if Hardy had beat Joe-Schmo IC champ. He is a major draw, and I do enjoy watching his work, but I think at this point in his career, he could be utilized very well as someone who goes up and down the card to help build credibility in younger, less experienced, up and coming talent.

He is doing this to an extent with Jeff Hardy right now. Hardy is already submerged into the smackdown main event scene, but when HHH finally puts him over(hopefully at WM) it will be huge for Jeff Hardy. HHH, can be a star maker for the company. It just doesn't always have to be at the top of the card.