Why Would Undertaker Lose To Brock Lesnar At Wrestlemania 30?
Monday was quite busy with arguments and conspiracy theories on Undertaker’s coveted “Streak” ending at Wrestlemania XXX. The multitude of shocked expressions on fan’s faces (as well as the commentators, Paul Heyman, and the “Beast Incarnate” himself – though they are acting), tells the story best. However, the WWE Universe is simply asking why Lesnar? Why now?
It was already reported, here on The Inquisitr, that the plan for Undertaker to lose to Brock Lesnar started back at UFC 121. The words they exchanged probably had to do with the one Wrestlemania moment we saw last night. But is there more to why Undertaker lost to Lesnar? Well here are the top reasons why Undertaker may have lost last night. Some are directly relative to Brock Lesnar, some are general. However, being a Wrestling Fan for over 25 years, there will be a lot of insight incorporated. Also, a lot of the details below are summarized too.
___________________
#1 – Undertaker Wants To Retire
This has been relevant with Undertaker losing at a Wrestlemania for the longest time. He started his career back in the 1990 Survivor Series meaning he’s been wrestling for almost a quarter of a century! I believe that’s enough time to wrestle and he deserves the choice to retire. Top it off that in real life, he has three daughters and a beautiful wife (The 1st Divas Champion, Michelle McCool), he may want to spend more time with his family.
Also, if Undertaker were to win, fans would expect him to return next year, and the year after that, and so on. Even if they did a “retirement show” on the RAW after Wrestlemania – if Taker were to win I mean – fans would hope and expect Undertaker to “come out of retirement” for one more match at Wrestlemania. That’s just how we, the WWE Universe, works. We still want Shawn Micheals to come out of retirement for one more match!
#2 – Undertaker Is Too Old With Too Many Injuries
I know some fans will not like hearing this but Undertaker is just one year from breaking 50. The match last night was slower than usual and it seems that both age and injuries caught up with “The Deadman”. With a long career comes age and numerous injuries. At certain times in his career, Undertaker was out. This includes a groin injury (Right before he came back as a biker), elbow injury, and hip injuries. They all stack up. Add in advanced age and it does not do Undertaker any favors. It also doesn’t help that Undertaker suffered a neck injury during the match too.
In cooperation with #1, Undertaker showed his age and injuries simply by how he executed his moves. He seemed to struggle walking on the rope for “Old School”. He also seemed to struggle in lifting Brock Lesnar for The Last Ride. This is my opinion, but I think his Tombstone to Lesnar was a lot higher than usual to protect Brock from landing on his head due to his sapped strength. Usually, Undertaker would be stong enough to hold wrestlers tightly so they wouldn’t get injured during a Tombstone Piledriver, but still be low enough to “sell” it as a legit contact. The space between Brock’s head and the canvas was easily visible on television.
#3 – Brock Lesnar Can Take Care Of The Undertaker In A Match
All you have to do is watch the match last night to see that Brock Lesnar was a perfect choice, as in taking care of the Undertaker. If you noticed, a lot of high-impact wrestling moves weren’t used. Even Lesnar’s F-5s and Belly-To Back suplexes were “low impact”. Also, with points #1 & 2, Undertaker may have a not-on-purpose issue of sandbagging. When wrestlers execute moves, the initiator and the receiver work together to make the move work. Whenever a wrestler receiving a move makes it difficult for the wrestler executing the move – such as making their body a dead weight – it is known as sandbagging. Lesnar is strong enough to handle Undertaker in that case.
#4 – Brock Lesnar Can Do #3 Without Suffering Himself
This is a very important part of why Lesnar is perfect for #3. When it comes to the “sandbag” issues, there are some wrestlers who have the experience and/or strength to handle it. For example, Mark Henry and Big Show could probably handle Undertaker if he were to sandbag. However, they don’t have the stamina to last in a long match. Brock has the strength, stamina, and on-screen character to be the man who should end Undertaker’s streak, which leads to…
#5 – Brock Lesnar Can Take The Heat From Fans
Brock Lesnar is a heel and his character revels in being booed. This point was actually brought up by fellow Inquisitr Wrestling writer, Joe Burgett, and it makes a lot of sense. Being that Brock is already over as a heel, why not enforce it by having him beat The Undertaker at Wrestlemania? Lesnar is also a man who has been booed for the majority of his career, especially in UFC. I am sure he can take the heat from fans…not as well as Team 3D back in ECW, but still.
#6 – Pushing Younger Talent Isn’t A Guarantee
Just because younger talent may have potential, doesn’t mean the push will be to the company’s benefit. Whenever the WWE does such a move, they are hoping to at least bank more than two years from the wrestler. Good example of case and point: Brock Lesnar in his prime. Let’s go back a little ways down memory lane when Brock Lesnar was first on the scene in the WWE. He looked a lot bigger, had no neck because his shoulders were super-massive, and he looked more intimidating back then compared to now. One of the matches that cemented the career of “The Beast Incarnate” was Brock Lesnar versus Kurt Angle back at Wrestlemania XIX. It was well-executed and Brock showed off his athleticism in ways a “big guy” like him shouldn’t have, especially with the Shooting Star Press (though it was botched).
Then next year, Brock Lesnar left the company after he lost a very disappointing match against Goldberg. So much for “The Next Big Thing” back then right? In short, younger talent isn’t always the way to go. The wrestles that needs to be pushed are younger talent that are established in both in-ring ability and career longevity.
#7 – Having Someone “More Than A Common Man” Beat Undertaker Makes Sense
The promotional video for Brock Lesnar versus The Undertaker was good enough to express this point. Earlier, I wrote an article on who should end Undertaker’s Streak, prior to Undertaker losing I mean. It has to be someone who “goes beyond” a regular streak match. Brock Lesnar was just another card in the streak, but he was advertised as someone who is “more than a regular man”. For storyline purposes, it makes sense to have someone who isn’t like the other “regular” competitors beat Undertaker. If Bray Wyatt won against John Cena, he would have probably been the best wrestler to go against The Streak. He’d even probably be the “favorite” to win too.
#8 – Undertaker Versus Sting At Wrestlemania XXXI Is Now A Surprise
For most people, if Undertaker were to win against Brock Lesnar last Sunday, then the dream match of Undertaker versus Sting would be favorable for the Streak, especially since the rumor is that Sting signed up for just one match. Now that Undertaker’s streak is broken, his match against Sting will be a surprise. Now, nobody is sure who will win. This will add to the hype and build for the showdown for next year…if it happens I mean.
___________________
So what do you all think? Do these reasons make sense on why Undertaker would lose to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXX? Take note that most of it is from fan insight and discussions on the wrestling boards. Still, being a lifelong fan that has watched wrestling with very little hiatuses in between, these reasons probably make the most sense.
