Best Candidates for an Undertaker-Like Undefeated Streak at SummerSlam

With Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania now over, WWE would be wise to begin a new journey that morphs a wrestler from man to immortal at SummerSlam.

When Undertaker began to stretch his winning streak at WWE's top event past the 13-win mark, his matches soon became the centerpiece of the pay-per-view. In turn, he became a hallowed figure who was achieving a feat that we had to watch unfold.

Just teasing another impressive run of wins at a major event from another unblemished wrestler would get buzz around a guy such as Bray Wyatt crackling. A new streak at a new event is the best way to go.

By building this parallel narrative at SummerSlam, WWE would further signal that this midyear blockbuster is inching ever closer to WrestleMania in terms of significance. 

It also avoids having to hurt the special nature of Undertaker's feat. This would be happening on another plane altogether.

WWE doesn't usually go in for the whole long-term planning thing, but this is a time when it should make an exception. There is much drama, suspense and star-building power to be had by having someone start to rattle off wins at SummerSlam.

To select who should have this honor, the company has to consider how well the story would fit his character. We have to believe that this person could pull of an unprecedented run like this. Adam Rose can't do it for that very reason.

Age is a consideration too. If you peg a 38-year-old to begin the next Undertaker-esque streak, you would quickly run out of time before he can tally many wins.

And of course, the candidates have to be undefeated at SummerSlam at this point. Dean Ambrose (0-2) need not apply.

5. Rusev

SummerSlam record: 1-0

Rusev was at his best when he was a dominant, unfeeling machine tearing through the midcard portion of the roster. That's a glimpse of what he would look like going on a run at SummerSlam, knocking off bigger and bigger names.

So far, he has a win over Jack Swagger at the event to brag about. 

Going forward, rising to the occasion each summer would be a big boost for him. It looks as if Dolph Ziggler is his next SummerSlam opponent. Should Rusev win that bout, it's would be believable for him to keep adding wins to his total, depending on his opponent.

After his feud with John Cena, though, it's harder to buy him as an unstoppable force. 

It would take some image rehab to pull this off. But while he's just 29 years old, one has to wonder what kind of staying power he has. He went from invulnerable champion to something like a pushover in just one year. 

4. Seth Rollins

SummerSlam record: 1-0

Done correctly, Seth Rollins could be the crafty, slippery opponent whom no one can beat at SummerSlam. He has already started off a potential streak with an impressive name in Dean Ambrose.

At just 29, Rollins is already the WWE champ and clearly one of the cornerstones for the company's future. So it's a safe bet that he'll be around long enough to have a streak worth mentioning.

As a bonus, WWE can be sure that many of the matches will be stellar ones. Rollins has flourished against a variety of opponents.

The biggest issue with Rollins as Undertaker 2.0 is that WWE has hurt his credibility during his title reign. He's lost to J&J Security, for one. He seems far from unbeatable. Like Rusev, the WWE would have to work to make his undefeated run convincing.

3. Kevin Owens

SummerSlam record: No matches yet

Kevin Owens is big, nasty and willing to go to any lengths to win. Selling him as SummerSlam's unstoppable force would be easy.

Despite his recent losses, he does own a clean win over John Cena. And a man who can whip Cena is certainly capable of amassing wins at a great rate. Like Seth Rollins, there's a great chance Owens' streak would include a ton of great matches.

The big difference is that Owens, while beatable, is not being booked as much of a weakling as Rollins at times.

But while he has shown himself to be capable of being a huge part of WWE's future plans, it's not clear whether the company views him as top-tier material. If it doesn't, it won't tab him for this role.

The other argument against Owens is that he is 31 and will be having just his first SummerSlam match. Bray Wyatt, who is 2-0 at just 28 years old, has a solid head start in front of him.

2. Roman Reigns

SummerSlam record: 1-0

Roman Reigns is here for the long haul. WWE has made that clear by how much it showcases him and how much it protects him in the win-loss column.

It's rare that anyone pins him, so building a streak where he fends off defeat again and again is easy to imagine.

He's already bested Randy Orton and could soon do the same to Bray Wyatt. He's likely to be a mainstay for years to come with as much as he's been given at just 30 years old.

Booking-wise, he's been portrayed as a tough, gutsy warrior who can hang with anyone. He held his own with Brock Lesnar and outlasted Daniel Bryan, for example. That lends itself to a streak at SummerSlam during what promises to be a long career. 

The only candidate who is more fitting for this potential role is the man he's likely to meet at this year's event.

1. Bray Wyatt

SummerSlam record: 2-0

Things align perfectly for Bray Wyatt to emulate Undertaker and go on a long, untouched run at SummerSlam for the next several years.

For one, he's young—just 28. And with two wins already under his belt at the event, he could be at 10-0 and counting at just 36 years old.

He's beaten two future Hall of Famers in Chris Jericho and Kane at the event and could soon add Roman Reigns to his list of SummerSlam victims. That's quite the impressive start.

His character, much like Undertaker's, could go in a variety of directions. That opens the door for him to have a long, sustained career.

WWE hasn't booked him consistently, but he remains a fearsome figure, a man who delivers a punishing, hard-hitting style. That could easily translate into him being unstoppable for a number of years at SummerSlam.