Since I wrote this for a site that never published it (though they requested it), here’s a little piece about the Deadman who won’t go away.
Wrestlemania no longer needs The Undertaker
Another Wrestlemania event has come and gone for another year, and once again the Undertaker competed at the event.
Undertaker defeated John Cena in a short, one-sided match at Wrestlemania 34 on April 8. The build to that match was like no other for a big match betwen two legends on sports entertainment's biggest stage. Cena spent weeks challenging Taker to a match, as Cena believed he had no other path to having a Wrestlemania match (This ignores the WWF's philosophy of getting everyone on the 'Mania card, even if it's in a preliminary battle royal. Clearly they would have found a spot for Cena.)
I believe the match was short out of necessity, as Undertaker's performances seem to decline in quality with each Wrestlemania. His last "good" Wrestlemania match, in my opinion, was his loss to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXX, which broke his undefeated streak at the event. And that match is mostly remembered just for its shocking result.
Taker symbolically leaving his hat and gloves in the ring last year was supposed to be a sign that he was done wrestling. That is what MMA fighters also do when they believe they have completed their last fight. Because of this, I wish Undertaker wouldn't have had a match this year. I don't think people are specifically subscribing to the WWE Network to watch Wrestlemania these days just to see the 53-year-old Mark Callaway try to gut it out in another match. Cena is also transitioning into more of a part-time attraction, though he still has some gas left in his tank as far as performances go.
Calaway supposedly receives $1 million from the WWE each year and often only works a match at Wrestlemania (this year he is scheduled to compete at the Greatest Royal Rumble event this Friday in Saudi Arabia as well). Even if WWE wants to continue to show its gratitude to Undertaker for his loyalty to them, I don't feel a match each year does anyone any favors. Let the "Dead Man" finally rest in peace.
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