Best Booking Options for Undertaker's WWE Career in 2016

With Undertaker closing in on the end of a legendary career, each time he emerges from the curtain threatens to be the last, so WWE has precious few opportunities to showcase him.

Even if 2016 doesn't prove to be The Deadman's last year in the ring, there cannot be more than a handful of dream matches left in him. The chances to harness his star power will soon run out. And so WWE has to choose wisely when lining up opponents for him.

The ideal foe feels worthy of challenging Undertaker. The future Hall of Famer is at a point where he doesn't face the dregs of the roster. 

He's a titan on a different plane than most Superstars. Sending in someone on Jack Swagger's level against him would feel like Zeus taking on a squire.

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But there aren't a multitude of Brock Lesnars to pit him against either. 

WWE has to do as it did with Bray Wyatt last year and project. The company clearly foresees big things for Wyatt and so afforded him chances to clash with a deity of the squared circle. Going that same route with potential megastars is wise.

Undertaker should not only be providing marquee matches on his farewell tour but helping to bridge to the future.

WrestleMania

Per PWInsider (h/t Wrestling Inc), speculation is rampant that Braun Strowman may face The Deadman at WrestleMania 32. The two certainly have history to build on thanks to The Wyatt Family's collision with The Brothers of Destruction last year.

But Strowman vs. Undertaker at The Show of Shows would be a colossal mistake.

The Wyatt Family's leviathan doesn't feel like nearly a big enough star to take that vital of a spot. Strowman is at best the third-best member of his own faction. And he's exceedingly raw in the ring.

Jim Ross wrote on his blog, "I never intended to 'knock' Braun Strowman but the giant prospect isn't ready [in my opinion] to face Brock or Taker at WrestleMania [in] Texas."

Ross is right. WWE would be far better served with someone who has proved he can thrive in lengthy, high-profile matches. Undertaker's WrestleMania opponent should be someone the company believes will be at the top of the card for years to come. Strowman might not be around in three years.

Kevin Owens is the best choice to face Undertaker at the biggest show of the year.

Owens has been a revelation since his arrival. Whether he has been dominating Sami Zayn or slugging it out with Dean Ambrose, he has consistently been one of the best parts of WWE.

It's no wonder that fans voted for him in a Cageside Seats poll on who should face The Phenom:

The match would be stellar. Owens is experienced enough to lead that dance. And with how enthralling he has been in brawls thus far, seeing him engage in one with Undertaker promises to be something special.

Owens should earn the right to face Undertaker by winning a tournament. That would cement the idea that he belongs in this spot. Then, Owens can achieve a career highlight by becoming only the second man to knock off Undertaker at WrestleMania.

SummerSlam

Inside of a steel cage, angered by his failure at WrestleMania, Undertaker should charge into SummerSlam with his fists aimed at Owens.

Owens would have plenty of verbal fuel leading up to this showdown. Having defeated The Deadman, he can mock him for being past his prime, calling him a lame horse that is limping around the track.

Credit: WWE.com

The rematch is a chance for WWE to deliver another high-quality bout. With a more vengeful Undertaker, the story here would be a fresh one.

As for the action, Owens has shown with rematches against John Cena, Ambrose and Zayn that he's adept at adding new elements to bouts. And he and Undertaker would likely have improved chemistry in their second go-round.

This is a chance for Undertaker to even the score and restore some momentum. Being on a winning streak as he enters his final match is ideal. No one wants to see a legend stumble as he approaches the finish line.

This should be a more vicious, hard-hitting match than the first. Let Owens look good by hurting Undertaker, but provide a happy ending with the fan favorite notching a win after hitting Owens with a Tombstone Piledriver.

Survivor Series

Even while winning, Undertaker should pass the torch at the event where he began his WWE career. 

Although Finn Balor is a far different wrestler than him, the parallels are obvious. Both play dark, mysterious characters. Both use theatrical entrances. Both have a supernatural tint to their gimmick—Undertaker drawing power from his urn, Balor morphing into the manifestation of his dark side.

This is too perfect a bout to pass up.

Balor told Scott Fishman of Channel Guide Magazine, "That would be a dream match for me." He's not alone. Many fans feel the same way. 

This could be the ultimate way to introduce Balor to the main roster. Have him debut a few weeks earlier, go on a winning streak and look untouchable. A confrontation with Undertaker would then set up a collision at Survivor Series.

There's an appealing symmetry to Survivor Series being Balor's first pay-per-view, especially if it ends up being Undertaker's last.

Undertaker could take everything Balor threw at him, fight on and ultimately put away the current NXT champ. To give Balor the proverbial rub despite the loss, Undertaker should shake his hand afterward.

That stamp of approval will boost Balor moving forward. And the younger, more athletic Irishman would certainly do his part to make this a standout match. 

Onward

There is one realistic dream Undertaker opponent left—John Cena.

That can't happen this year with Cena injured, but WWE could build toward that for next year. Just as the company started the hype train early for The Rock vs. Cena, WWE should do that once more.

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Build anticipation for WrestleMania early.

Have Undertaker make a surprise appearance on Raw late in the year. He could approach Cena and tell him that he's the one warrior he wants to conquer last. Cena accepts the challenge, with The Deadman soon playing mind games with him as 2016 closes.

WWE would then have a huge marquee match ready to plug in at WrestleMania 33.

Cena will have a focus leading up to that, as he tries to build momentum for that clash. Undertaker, meanwhile, would have just come off beating Owens and Balor, looking like he's been recharged late in his career.

Whether that ends up being when he bows or not, WWE would have bettered itself by way of entertaining action and star-making moments for Owens and Balor. The final steps of Undertaker's journey would have left deep, lasting impressions.