For the past several months, WWE has been laying the foundation of a potential match between John Cena and The Undertaker, to take place at the “Mecca of Sports Entertainment”; WrestleMania 34. For several weeks, Cena’s been attempting to goad “The Phenom” to rise from the ashes, of the remains of his legendary career, to meet him in the squared circle. Do Cena or The Undertaker have something to prove to WWE Fans, by making this match? Obviously not, both Taker and Cena each in their own regard, have had legendary careers in the WWE. Tens of World Championships, Royal Rumble Wins and more WrestleMania Appearances than most pro wrestlers can only dream of, in a career in the WWE.
So if, and most likely when (WrestleMania 34) this match happens, why is the WWE trying to make it happen? Most wrestling fans are obviously speculating that it’s a “Marquee” match, to try and increase viewership and ticket sales for WrestleMania 34. This theory isn’t totally out of the realm of possibility. Most wrestling fans are asking the question; “Why wasn’t this match booked seven or eight years ago?” Which in all honesty, is a fair question. I always wondered why in the 25 plus year career of The Undertaker, why he never wrestled John Cena at WrestleMania?
Say what you will about John Cena, whether he’s a “repackaged Hulk Hogan for the 21st Century”, or that his gimmick is “old and stale”. Nevertheless if there were an actual ballot voting system for the WWE Hall of Fame, John Cena no doubt would be a first ballot, bona fide WWE Hall of Famer. The biggest accolade he could have added to his iconic and storied career, was to defeat The Undertaker, to break his legendary WrestleMania Undefeated Streak, thus doing in one fell swoop, what no other WWE Superstar could do. That unattainable accolade, would have without a doubt, cemented John Cena as the greatest WWE Superstar of all time.
No disrespect intended to Brock Lesnar, as the choice by the WWE to pick him as the wrestler who killed the streak of The Undertaker was an excellent one, in the long term it would have made more sense to give John Cena that prestigious honor. As the WWE and its CEO Vince McMahon have virtually focused its whole company and focus around Cena for close to 15 years. It’s hard to say what this match will be like, as The Undertaker (Mark Calaway) is 53 years of age and giving his lifeblood to the WWE has taken its toll on his body. I think overall it will be a decent match, it just won’t have as much impact in 2018, as it would have in 2008.
Follow us on Twitter @PW_Slam, to get the latest news in the world of professional wrestling, like us on Facebook, subscribe to our Official YouTube Channel and follow us on Instagram. To submit wrestling news email prowrestlingslam2012@gmail.com and be sure to check out our Official Pro Wrestling Tees Store to pick up some Pro Wrestling Slam! Merchandise, also be sure to listen to the Pro Wrestling Slam! Podcast on Anchor.fm.