The WWE has been airing promotional videos as of late to hype the return of The Undertaker to our screens. The dead man has been absent since he was buried alive at the hands of Kane at Survivor Series, a feud that he undoubtedly lost, be defeated on many occasions to his demonic younger sibling.
This feud had a confusing end as Taker was never allowed any real form of retribution so does this indicate who his likely Wrestlemania 27 opponent will be?
The Undertaker vs. Kane at Wrestlemania 27?
There is no doubt about it that the WWE was always hoping to bring back The Undertaker in time for the biggest pay per view of the year as the threat to his undefeated streak automatically adds to the pay per view buy rates. In recent years his streak has been under genuine threat eventually turning back challenges from Batista, Edge and twice from Shawn Michaels in epic encounters.
However although it seems logical for in storyline terms for The Undertaker to face Kane to try and give him a form of revenge and put his younger brother in his place at Wrestlemania, who would really buy the fact that Kane would have the remotest chance of winning this match and ending the streak? It would be pointless booking on the part of the WWE. More to the point it would be lazy booking at the two brothers of destruction have already faced each other at the ‘showcase of the immortals’ on two occasions already, Wrestlemania 14 and 20 respectively.
So perhaps another opponent would be more fitting?
The Undertaker vs. Wade Barrett at Wrestlemania 27?
There are a few reasons why this may be the likely encounter at Wrestlemania for the Phenom. First of all the Nexus helped Kane bury The Undertaker at Survivor Series. Their leader at the time? None other than Wade Barrett. Therefore this would have some clear logic in storyline terms.
Secondly Wade Barrett could be seen as a genuine threat to the streak providing he had the backing of his fellow members of his new group, The Corre, at ringside, namely Ezekiel Jackson, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel. Could The Undertaker really overcome those odds?
More importantly it is known within the industry that The Undertaker is a fan of Wade Barrett and sees him as a potential superstar to pass the torch to. That passing of the torch may not mean ending the streak, but a strong showing from Barrett at his first Wrestlemania would do his career no harm whatsoever.
It is very unlikely that the WWE will consider any other options for The Undertaker as developing another brand new storyline now might seem a little rushed. There has been mad speculation on the internet that the WWE has been trying to create a wrestling dream match of The Undertaker vs. Sting, the latter currently stalling on a new TNA contract. However there is no proof that this will happen.
WWE fans await to see who is next to challenge the streak.