5 Reasons Brock Lesnar Vs. The Undertaker Must Happen

Last night's UFC 121 was a shocker, and if you don't want to know the result, stop reading!

But for those that did watch, the interview with The Undertaker after Brock's defeat was telling. It was only a 10-second exchange, and initially it seemed that Brock maybe hadn't even heard, but it was clear...

The Undertaker was calling out the former UFC Champion, Brock Lesnar. Could WrestleMania XXVII have this match as its marquee Main Event?

Here are five reasons why it should...

Maintain the Credibility of the Streak

After two monumental matches with Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker's WrestleMania streak is an important thing. There have been a few to forget—Mark Henry and Big Boss Man come to mind—but there have also been some all-time classics.

With Shawn gone, the next opponent needs to be good. It may be difficult to surpass what they did at XXV and XXVI, but they at least need to try. 

Talks of Sheamus have surfaced in recent weeks, but barring a major upset, you would imagine the Undertaker would go to 19-0 without too much of a problem.

Cena? Maybe had he turned heel, but not as a face. Too much of a risk. 

Lesnar remains as a viable opponent

International Attention

Mark A. Wallenfang/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - JUNE 22: Vince McMahon (R) and Donald Trump attend a press conference about the WWE at the Austin Straubel International Airport on June 22, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mark A. Wallenfang/Getty Images)

WrestleMania is the most important time of the year for professional wrestling's leading company. The attention it receives is impressive, especially given some of its guest stars, including Mickey Rourke, Donald Trump, Mike Tyson and Mr. T.

With Lesnar, you have the best of both worlds: a well-known celebrity who can wrestle. Only the Rock or Austin would be a bigger hit, but in their absence, Lesnar brings the goods.

In one night—or maybe a few months if the promos are done properly—the worlds of MMA and WWE would come together, with discussion and debate raging. Whether Brock would be allowed to win is questionable, but as with Shawn's matches, results are often irrelevant.

Brock's Unfinished Business in the WWE

For a wrestler, leaving the business should be about departing with class. The debacle with Goldberg where both subsequently left is no way for any superstar to be remembered. Even with all his success in MMA, there must be a part of Brock that wished he could have left with more honor.

Lesnar and Goldberg could have illustrious wrestling careers, and whilst both are now elsewhere, the chance for Lesnar to come back even for one night must be appealing, or at least rewarding.

Brock and the 'Taker are skilled in MMA and wrestling, so this can be one for everyone—could we even see an Octagon at WrestleMania, for a best-of-three falls? Probably not, as it would require the 'Taker to win at MMA to maintain the streak.

The Rivalry Already Exists, and It Works

Picture Credited to: http://www.sweetser.info/undertaker/undertakerdvddisc3.htm

In 2002, The Undertaker and Brock played out a brief-but-memorable feud that saw a number of different matches, including Hell in a Cell and a Biker Chain match. Strangely, Brock came out on top in most instances, so that might calm some worries that a WrestleMania encounter would be a one-sided match.

Given their respective styles and this previous rivalry, a one-on-one encounter fits perfectly for the main event. The only question that remains is how it can be advertised without Brock coming to the WWE on a short-term contract. Without his involvement in publicity, it will appear a weak rivalry, driven simply by financial gain.

Financial Benefit

Cynicism aside, this is the biggest night in wrestling. A crowd in excess of 40,000 expected every year, sponsors, ticket packages, advertisements, product placements—the financial impact is huge.

So to have the world of MMA and WWE collide is a win-win situation and a guarantee that the latter capitalizes on a lucrative market. Just as with former celebrities before, buy-ins will come from non-wrestling fans, as well as hardcore loyalists.

Given the alternatives, only Cena, Shawn Michaels, Austin or the Rock could generate the same impact, with only Austin and Rock getting any kind of non-wrestling fanbase interested. 

There's a lot of questions to be resolved, and we do not even know if the respective parties are interested. But in wrestling, there's usually no smoke without fire, and so...

Lesnar and The Undertaker for WrestleMania—would you be interested?