WWE Buy or Sell: The Undertaker vs. John Cena Hype
By Josh Raibick
Following The Undertaker’s cryptic message at WWE Raw 25, fans have been waiting for the reappearance of The Deadman and the start of his feud with John Cena. Considering where both superstars are in their careers, is this really a match that will be worth the hype of WWE WrestleMania?
Following an emotional loss at WrestleMania 33 to Roman Reigns, The Undertaker appeared to say farewell to the WWE Universe as he folded his jacket, took off his gloves, and neatly placed his hat on top. The leaving of the trademark attire in the ring, momentarily breaking character with his wife Michelle McCool, and disappearing into the Florida night seemed to be the perfect ending of a great career.
Meanwhile, in the past couple of years Cena’s role in WWE has changed as well. Going forward Cena will not be the lone face of the company, as the leader of the Cenation has been preparing for life after WWE.
No longer a 200-date worker for the company, Cena has done his best to enhance younger talent. Quickly approaching his 41st birthday, coupled with the fact that he has 19 years of wear and tear from professional wrestling on his body, with all being considered it wouldn’t be a hot take to say Cena’s best years are behind him.
One point of view is simply, The Undertaker vs. John Cena is a dream match that is happening too late. The Undertaker’s body is breaking down, and why ruin a perfect sendoff that was given at the end of WrestleMania 33?
Re-watching Undertaker and Reigns there were clear botches, lack of rhythm to the match, and a Deadman that just wasn’t 100 percent. It is difficult to imagine that The Undertaker is going to get healthier as he turns another year older.
Cena is approaching a similar situation as the injuries have built up with him and the critics are starting to reappear following a recent match with Finn Balor on Raw, where Cena appeared to have lost a step. The match with Balor was still respectable, but the concern is in a match with The Undertaker, Cena will be required to perform at a much higher level.
While the negative opinions are valid concerns, there is also a major plus to booking Cena vs. Undertaker. Simply put, it is two of the biggest stars in wrestling history together at the biggest show of the year.
WWE is not the independent wrestling scene, the segments leading to WrestleMania are just as important as the actual event. WWE’s greatest asset is their ability to promote a big event, and what could be easier to promote than Cena vs. Undertaker?
So, with everything above considered, I am BUYING into a potential Cena and Undertaker match. There is a lot of intrigue to a potential storyline between these two legends, because it can write itself.
On one hand, could WWE go with a Career vs. Career match? Does Undertaker want to cement his legacy by defeating the superstar he considers as the greatest of all-time?
Members of the WWE Universe may question whether Cena can still carry a match in the ring, but what should go unquestioned is the fact that Cena is still the best on the microphone. I have no doubt that Cena will make sure the road to WrestleMania will stay the course.
Either way WWE does not need to create a confusing story similar to Shane McMahon vs. Undertaker that was littered with holes. For quite some time it has felt odd that Cena has been left off of Undertaker’s WrestleMania opponent list, but maybe that is because the best was being saved for last.
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After everything that The Undertaker has sacrificed for the WWE Universe, he deserves to go out on his own accord. If the future WWE Hall of Famer believes he has more left in the tank, then us as fans should allow him to rise from the dead one more time.
What do you think? Are you excited for Undertaker vs. Cena?