Power Ranking Undertaker's Most Likely Opponents for WWE WrestleMania 33
The Undertaker is returning, and hell is coming with him.
That's what fans expect, as The Deadman usually comes back to WWE with a purpose. That's especially true now, given the time of year. WrestleMania 33 (April 2) is less than five months away, and at some point, the company will look at what's in store for The Phenom.
Perhaps WWE has already decided who he will face.
Nevertheless, this is the fun part for fans, as trying to guess whose number will be called is always a great bit of speculation. The list usually includes a mix of both veteran and younger talents, with each one bringing something different to the table.
In every instance, the excitement level rises because of the possibilities involved.
But the list is getting shorter, as is Taker's time. Many expect that The Deadman's career will come to an end soon—possibly in 2017. That sentiment has existed for the past few years, as Undertaker's resume of accomplishments is fully loaded.
He just doesn't have anything left to prove.
But as WrestleMania 33 draws near, fans are speculating once again. The Undertaker will hopefully be ready, and the task of booking the match with either a veteran or a current star will fall to WWE. Fans want The Undertaker to do what he does best: put on a show like no one else can.
With any luck, that is exactly what will happen at WrestleMania 33.
5. Braun Strowman
1 of 5
Braun Strowman is finally gaining a foothold in WWE.
The former Wyatt Family strongman is coming into his own as a singles competitor, and he's getting over with live crowds. His brute strength matches his ferocity, and both make him one of the most intimidating heels in WWE.
But is he ready for The Undertaker?
Strowman has tremendous upside, and his career is in front of him. However, to go from establishing himself on Raw to facing The Deadman at WrestleMania is a huge leap. But if the younger Superstar is part of the New Era and is going to evolve, this may be the best move for him.
Of course, that does not mean he will pin The Undertaker.
The company may not be ready for that right now, though the two could have an intense and action-packed match.
Taker is not in the business of making new stars as he was before, but merely being in the ring with him would be good for Strowman. Fans may have dismissed the idea of this match just one year ago, but perhaps they won't now.
Undertaker is a pro and has always given back to the business. Facing off against WWE's newest big man and making him look good could be exactly what's best for business.
4. John Cena
2 of 5
John Cena has done it all.
He's a 15-time world champion and is one title win away from tying Ric Flair's record. He's won 25 championships during his career, he's wrestled main event matches all over the world and he's been the face of WWE for more than 10 years.
But he's never worked The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
That's why this is one of the most intriguing dream matches in recent memory. It's not that fans don't know what Cena and Taker can do individually; it's what they could do together that's a mystery and perhaps should be explored.
After all, this is the part-time Cena, and that means he wouldn't necessarily need to win.
WWE does not have to worry about protecting Cena as the top guy now because he is moving on. The company is looking toward the future with Superstars who are already in place, so any time Cena is there, he's just an added attraction.
He could go for broke against Taker at Mania and leave fans wanting more.
Undertaker is a legend, and working Cena at WrestleMania would be a night that WWE fans would never forget.
3. Kevin Owens
3 of 5
Kevin Owens is a prizefighter.
At one time, that term applied only to Brock Lesnar—and with good reason. But now that KO is at the top of the mountain as WWE universal champion on Raw, the moniker fits. So if that's the case, why not pit him against one of WWE's biggest draws of all time?
Should Owens face The Undertaker?
This is one of those times when veteran leadership would mean a lot to the company. As with Strowman and Cena, KO would likely not go over, but he wouldn't need to. Just the experience of working The Deadman at WrestleMania could be enough to boost Owens higher than he is now.
Either WWE is serious about KO, or it's not.
Fans could look at this choice and feel it's not a good one based upon past experience. After all, Bray Wyatt did not move up the ladder as many believed he would after facing Taker. But the biggest difference here is the fact that Owens is already on the path to big things, while Wyatt was not.
Maybe this is the moment when WWE makes the right move and takes advantage of the situation.
Owens is a great heel and would do well in a program with Undertaker. So if the match is booked, the ride there would be entertaining. The match would be worth the price of admission.
Owens is in WWE for the long haul and deserves his share of the spotlight. Working with Undertaker at WrestleMania would be the biggest night of his career and solidify him as a true top player.
2. Goldberg
4 of 5
Many fans believe that, once the match between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar ends at Survivor Series, the former WCW champion is done with WWE. But what if he's not?
Despite popular belief, if Goldberg looks good at Survivor Series and the event draws major money, then WWE could persuade him to come back. WrestleMania is not that far off, and Goldberg will be in prime physical condition for his match with Lesnar. When that is combined with the fact that he's over, why shouldn't he come back?
This is where Undertaker comes in.
The Phenom was unable to put Lesnar away during their last rivalry, and Goldberg's return to the spotlight could cause Taker to get more than a little upset. Why would Goldberg believe he had a chance against the man who even The Undertaker couldn't defeat?
Fans who may be concerned with the issue of face vs. face need not worry; the rules change when Undertaker is involved.
The Deadman could interfere at Survivor Series, costing Goldberg the match against Lesnar. If that happens, it could lead to a future rivalry and eventual match at WrestleMania 33. Goldberg would have his WrestleMania moment, and Undertaker would once again be part of a massive box-office smash.
It may sound like a long shot, but WWE is all about capitalizing on the moment. If there's money to be made, WWE will take advantage of it. Though it seems like an impossible dream match, the fact is The Undertaker could be next for Goldberg.
1. Sting
5 of 5
When it comes to dream matches, this is the big one.
Nothing else compares to Undertaker vs. Sting—two of the most iconic figures in modern professional wrestling meeting for the first time on the worldwide stage of WWE.
It's the stuff that legends are made of.
Their ages (Undertaker is 51, and Sting is 57) don't matter. The timing doesn't matter. The fact that Sting is supposedly done with wrestling makes no difference. If he's healthy and WWE clears him to compete, this match needs to happen.
Fans have wanted to see it for a long time, and if it does take place, it would be the biggest night in the careers of both men.
Sting is the perfect opponent for Undertaker, and that's due to the similar path each man has taken in the industry. While Taker was at his height in WWE during the Attitude Era, Sting was leading the charge for WCW.
They were at war, and both of them knew where their allegiances lied.
Undertaker represented the best of WWE, and the same was true of Sting with WCW. Each company had the best of the best in its locker room, but when it came to leaders, no one could match Sting or The Deadman.
They stood by their companies and endured the test of time. Each man has a legacy that will endure forever, and a match between them would be the perfect way to cap off their careers.
But the clock is ticking for Sting and Undertaker. If the dream match is meant to be, then it needs to happen at WrestleMania 33. It would be an epic night—one that would never be forgotten.
Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.
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