WWE Bragging Rights: Six Reasons the Odds Favor The Undertaker Against Kane

What may ultimately be the final chapter in the storied rivalry between The Undertaker and Kane could be written Sunday night, as the two brothers clash for the first time in a Buried Alive Match.

For the first time since Kane became World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker seems his old self. The Deadman is back to playing mind games and messing with his younger brother at every turn. The ultimate sign of his return may come tomorrow night on SmackDown!, but I won't spoil it for those who want to wait.

Before Sunday's monumental clash, let's take a look at five major talking points which may give us a little more insight as to who will walk away World Heavyweight Champion Sunday night, and who will be buried alive.

1. The Undertaker Has Never Won a Buried Alive Singles Match

Surprising it may be, but The Deadman has never come out on top in a one-on-one Buried Alive Match.

The circumstances have always been unique (which I will touch on in the next point), but every time The Deadman has stepped into battle in a Buried Alive Match, he has been the one to fall to defeat and end the night six feet under.

With that being said, it seems unlikely that the man who inspired the Buried Alive Match will end his illustrious career without actually winning one. Another Buried Alive tilt seems unlikely for The Undertaker, so now appears to be as good a time as any, especially with the world title on the line.

2. There Is Always Outside Interference

For Mankind, it was The Executioner. For Stone Cold Steve Austin and for Vince McMahon, it was Kane.

The Undertaker may have never won a one-on-one Buried Alive Match, but he has never really fought with even odds. The opponent has always been a tough one (with the exception of McMahon), and the added help didn't make life any easier for The Undertaker.

It's been Kane who has interfered in The Undertaker's last two Buried Alive contests, so any immediate threat to make their presence known doesn't seem apparent. Paul Bearer is probably the likely favorite, but his ability to become physically involved in any match-up seems to point toward a currently unknown factor.

Or maybe, for once, we'll see a clean ending to a Buried Alive Match.

3. Kane Has Had Quite a Title Reign, By Recent Standards

Since WrestleMania 23, only two men have had longer reigns with the World Heavyweight Championship than Kane. 

If the Big Red Monster's second world title reign were to end, it would end at 99 days. The two men with longer reigns, Edge and The Undertaker, ended those title reigns on Day 105 and 140, respectively.

In other words, in our current professional wrestling climate, Kane may be overdue to drop the title.

I'm not saying I'm an advocate of the game of hot potato that has been played with the world titles in WWE over the past decade or so, but we must learn from history.

There is no guarantee Kane's title reign will end Sunday. It just seems like a prime opportunity to give The Deadman one final run atop the WWE.

4. Vince McMahon Is Souring on The Undertaker-Kane Feud

And, quite frankly, so am I. I'm guessing I'm not the only one.

While it's been different this time around, the story still seems the same. Kane turns on The Undertaker. Kane gains the early advantage, claiming a big plan. Paul Bearer comes back, only to turn on The Undertaker. The odds seem completely stacked in Kane's favor...but The Undertaker wins in the end.

Don't get me wrong: I love to see The Undertaker prevail. I'm probably one of the biggest Undertaker marks in the IWC. But the third installment of the Kane-Undertaker feud was just like the first two—I never thought The Undertaker wouldn't win in the end.

Apparently, I'm not the only one. The final straw for Vinny Mac was the lack of crowd interest during the Hell in a Cell match between the Brothers of Destruction. Initially set for a potential final clash at WrestleMania XXVII, the Kane-Undertaker feud looks to be headed for an end sooner, rather than later.

5. This Looks Like the Last Ride for The Deadman

It's not really news anymore: Many reports have WrestleMania XXVII slated as The Undertaker's farewell to the WWE Universe.

Vince McMahon has had issues with treating his departing stars the correct way, but I don't think he'll mess this one up.

The Undertaker is in the same breath as Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels in the pantheon of WWE superstars. There is no comparing The Undertaker to anyone—and there likely never will be.

The man deserves a proper farewell. Give him the belt one more him—the prize The Undertaker character calls his Holy Grail—before having his WrestleMania opponent cost him the title this winter.

6. The Undertaker Was Written Out of the Storylines

It may not have been planned, but The Undertaker was written out of WWE programming once this year, and just came back two months ago.

Does it make any sense to write him off again Sunday?

While it doesn't say you have to write someone off when they lose a Buried Alive Match, every singles Buried Alive Match has ended with The Undertaker taking time off. It's completely senseless to once again write The Undertaker off until, say, Royal Rumble, where he would likely return to restart his feud with Kane.

Considering the current climate of the feud, it just doesn't look good for Kane.