"I like Bray Wyatt, I really, really do but I'm just unsure about his longevity as a top WWE name. He's done admirably well at building this match by himself but it is still the least anticipated Undertaker match in some time. I think a lot of it depends on what Taker's position with the company is going forward; if he's just wrestling this match and disappearing again until next year I'd ever so slightly lean towards a Wyatt win. It isn't the rub that it was but hell, it's not a bad check on your resume being only one of two people to beat Taker."
Longevity? How did Taker have longevity? How did Kane? How did any monster? Good feuds, keep the gimmick fresh, have them join factions, create them, win titles, etc. Bray is very talented and has the potential to carry on in the WWE for years being a top talent. He's damn good on the mic, in the ring, and just about an opponent you put him with, he either out performs them, or steals the show with them. That's fact. I know you're not saying he's not talented, but the guy has all the tools for longevity. He just needs WWE's backing much like they gave Taker for years.
Also, even though I think that Taker should've showed up in some way, shape, or form to help build this feud, I don't think this is the least anticipated match in years??? That's crazy. I think they're trying to rekindle that Phenom sense with Taker. Much like they did back at Mania 20 with Kane. Taker didn't show up...but scared Kane a couple times and then appeared as the Dead Man and only at Mania did he really return. Bray is making this match hyped and i know he'll carry Taker in this match, too. I disagree with you and feel that this match is very anticipated and fans are wondering: "will Taker lose again?"
"At the same time I'm aware of how much damage a Wyatt win could potentially do; could dampen the effect of Lesnar's win which would indirectly effect wrestling history, could completely finish The Undertaker off and of course mismanaged Wyatt booking (which is always a possibility) could see Wyatt fade into obscurity and that would irrevrsebly damage The Streak, Lesnar's victory and Undertaker's legacy."
At this point, nothing will damper what Brock did. Brock snapped The Streak. He injured the Phenom. If Bray wins, and I hope he does, it'll be good for Bray but not nearly as big as Brock breaking it. Wyatt beating Taker would be huge and good for his career, but no one will forget that shock value 3rd F5 that snapped The Streak. Seeing Paul rush into the ring...the fans reactions. Insane. Bray's match, win or lose, won't have that shock value or same effect that Brock's win did, it'll simply solidify that Bray is the next monster and he was able to repeat what Brock did. But Brock will forever be seen as the bigger dog (when it comes to Taker) even if Bray does win. He snapped it. Bray simply continued where Brock left off.
"Undertaker wrestled over twenty matches at WrestleMania and the only man to beat him on The Grandest Stage of Them All was Brock Lesnar; a NCAA Campion, All-Ameircan, UFC Champion, youngest ever WWE Champion and the most dominant World Heavyweight Champion in the last 25 years. Oh yeah and that guy Bray Wyatt who was flavor of the month at one stage but never really achieved anything."
Although Brock will, arguably, be seen as the most dominant pound for pound athlete in WWE history: heel or face. This doesn't mean that Bray can't or shouldn't beat Taker. That's ludicrous! Bray still has so much time to build and develop in the WWE. Bray could win the Rumble, win MITB, win multiple WWE World Titles. Him beating Taker and then going on to become champion would really help his career. Sure, the victory won't be near as sweet as Lesnar's and no one can compare to that, but Bray winning and "taking Taker's soul" will make him the next Phenom, monster. Could you imagine a feud with Brock and Wyatt? The only 2 men to crack Taker at Mania. Brock of course would need to be face and Bray heel....but that would make for one hell of an altercation.
Bray needs this win more than Taker does. And, it will excel his career in the right direction. No one is discrediting Brock by beating Taker at this point. We're all fully aware of what Brock did and how awesome it was to see the The Steak snapped.
My dear sir, I just want to clear the air on one thing before I touch on the rest of the post; I am a fan of Bray Wyatt, I believe him to be enthralling and commanding on the microphone, I rate him in the ring (not quite as highly as you seem to - mere speculation on my behalf of how highly you rate him, we've yet to have an in-depth conversation/go through his matches - but still if you look at Taker's early body of work he wasn't any Steamboat) and I think he
could be a superb main event guy for years to come. I fear I didn't give nearly as much information as I should have with the "longevity" comment in fact, in hindsight, it appeared throwaway from me. My fear with Wyatt's longevity lies within the WWE Creative, I do not believe that in the year 2015 that they will be able to give Wyatt the Undertaker treatment. Wyatt SHOULD be stepping into Taker's shoes (not as the next Deadman but y'know what I mean, that guy with an aura about him) he has all the tools to do so but a gimmick such as Wyatt's is hard to book correctly without coming off as goofy, corny or even believable. He's rocking it right now and if they book him correctly - as you suggested big grudges, factions being formed etc. - Wyatt could be one of the main guys for years to come. It's a gimmick and a man that needs to get the right treatment and in the 90s this wouldn't have been a concern but in 2015 WWE manage to fuck up even the simplest things, so why should I lend them the benefit of the doubt in a situation that needs to be handed carefully. That's where my longevity concern arises from not the man himself.
Crazy that it's the least anticipated match in years? Hmm.
30 - Lesnar versus Undertaker; a match between arguably the biggest star on the roster and the master of Mania, been hinted at for a few years and people were damn excited for it
29 - CM Punk versus Undertake; this is kind of more in the league that I see the Wyatt/Taker match but at the time Punk was everybody and their grandmother's favorite and the Punk fans truly believed he was going to do it
28 - HHH versus Undertaker; two marquee names, End of an Era and the addition of HBK cast that little seed of doubt (which prior to the upcoming Mania was all that was needed to get invested in a Streak match)
27 - HHH versus Undertaker; got exceptional build, with both men returning the same night, two huge stars with the added story of HHH trying to do it for Shawn
26 - HBK versus Undertaker; either The Streak ends or Shawn Michaels retires. Nothing more needed to build anticipation.
25 - HBK versus Undertaker; one of the last times people were full on split as to who would win; go back to the archives of any major wrestling forum, fans were split basically down the middle about who was going to win this one. After this a lot of fans took Taker wins for granted, myself included.
24 - Edge versus Undertaker; near year-long story, WHC on the line, big deal made out of the streak which wasn't yet in it's "immortal" stages
So in the last 7/8 years (even 23 with Batista could be debated as being bigger than the Wyatt match) I think it's a fair thing to the say it's the least anticipated Taker Mania match in years. I'm not saying I'm not looking forward to seeing Taker and I'm sure it'll be a good match but it's very hard to argue Taker/Wyatt is the same time of billing as any other Taker match the last few years. Yes, it's hindered by not having the added intrigue of The Streak but hell, I didn't say it wasn't, I just said it's the least anticipated - which it is.
Also sidenote - I don't think Wyatt will have to carry Taker, they are both great performers on a big stage and I think they'll work each other well, I think their pacing suits each other. What do you think? Think Undertaker will be gassed or do you think Taker can keep up with Wyatt?
Nothing will dampen the moment, I agree, but for long-lasting effect I have to disagree. IF Wyatt fades away and doesn't become the major player that you and I both no he can be then it won't be as resounding.
Your last point about why Brock shouldn't effect Wyatt beating Taker seems a zerosum point to argue. What you're saying sounds freaking fantastic but you have the faith Wyatt will go on to do great things in the WWE and I don't have faith in the WWE to allow Wyatt to be great. I know what I said about Wyatt dropping off is a lot of "ifs" and "buts" but you're talking in "coulds". I think you picked up the overall tone of my post wrong, I'm not saying Wyatt should lose to Undertaker because it will make Brock Lesnar look worse 10 years from now. I'm merely stating what COULD happen if Wyatt beats Taker and WWE drop the ball on Wyatt. You're merely stating what COULD happen if Wyatt beats Taker and WWE doesn't drop the ball on Wyatt. It was just discussion and thoughts my end not outright beliefs or wants. I even said I'd lean slightly towards a Wyatt win.
And yes, Wyatt/Lesnar would be freaking all sorts of awesome.
Very good post dude.
