The Build Up
In what is being treated as one of the biggest Wrestlemania matches in history literally came out of nowhere. Following Wrestlemania 30 there was literally nothing left for Undertaker to do in WWE, he’d held most championships, taken part in almost every match and defeated just about everyone there was to defeat. Personally I felt that should have been his swan song, if not then maybe a dream retirement match with Sting the following year. That however would not be the case, as a year later WWE used Bray Wyatt to resurrect the Deadman and challenge him at WM31 in a losing effort. Undertaker in his biker attire looked a shell of his former self against Bray, gone was the pacey ring movement and aura, what we got was a grizzled veteran looking for redemption. Later In the year the Deadman returned once more to thwart Brock Lesnar’s attempts at regaining the WWE Title from Seth Rollins. His subsequent feud with Lesnar gave us one match in which the Deadman cheated and another where we saw Brock destroy him following a vicious HIAC match. Immediately following the loss to Brock, Undertaker was beaten and abducted by the Wyatt Family only to return weeks later on Raw to challenge the Wyatts at Survivor Series. The feud with the Wyatt’s was diabolical, the only thing it achieved was to further to destroy the Wyatt Family gimmick, then Taker vanished.
In February of this year the Boy Wonder, Shane McMahon returned to the WWE because…….. well Vince thinks it solves something. Shane was welcomed back into the fold because WWE apart from the World Heavyweight Championship had no other solid feuds heading into Mania. The argument could also be made that WWE had nothing viable for the Undertaker to do either, with Sting and most importantly John Cena out injured Taker had no other suitable opponents. Shane returned offering change and a new direction, he promised that his return would mean an end to the authority of Stephanie, Triple H & Vince McMahon, however there would be consequences. If Shane wanted control of Raw he would have to face and defeat WWE’s resident Phenom in a Hell in a Cell match. Shane at first looked shocked, then at ease, then full of confidence….and why not? It was only the Undertaker he was facing. Much like the inception of the feud the build up has been mediocre at best, Undertaker it seems doesn’t seem to care that he’s fighting for the authority and Shane is being portrayed as Undertaker’s equal and possibly his toughest opponent yet. Shocking revelations indeed.
Appearances on Raw by both men to hype the event has been lacklustre. Shane took out some security guys with the worst worked punches ever and Undertaker gripped Vince around the throat as if to threaten the man he’s working for…..The following week Shane, Vince & Undertaker were all in the ring together, there were some harsh words said by all 3 men to get the excitement to a high. Shane explained he’s fighting for the WWE, it’s legacy, the fans and his kids…..Undertaker just raised his fists and smirked in Shane’s face, Shane then called him a bitch and the brawl started. Shane dodged and weaved and got in some stiff blows, Taker grabbed his neck again but Shane wriggled free, Vince then shoved Shane into the Deadman for a Chokeslam which put Shane down for the count. The most recent revelation in this feud came last Monday Night on Raw when Vince announced that if Undertaker lost he would never compete at Wrestlemania again, therefore explaining that Undertaker will have to retire in defeat.
After viewing the vignettes and promos on Raw I’m still in two minds about this feud, it still doesn’t make sense to me. I just don’t see who it benefits after Wrestlemania, for me it’s all a smokescreen to WWE’s terrible booking over the last 6 months. I hope WWE has something planned for the Raw go home show tomorrow night as for me this match is a road to nowhere.
@ciaran_1986
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