Update on The Undertaker's WWE future; Is he retiring in 2014?

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Elalai Cena William

(Featured Columnist) on February 13, 2013

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As we head into WrestleMania season, speculation has been buzzing around what role, if any, The Undertaker will have on the show, which takes place on April 7.
There was, of course, a huge amount of fuss when The Undertaker was spotted at a Predators game in Nashville, the same place Monday's Raw emanated from. Some anticipated that the legend would pop up on Raw, presumably to begin a program, but it never happened (via Wrestling Inc.).
In this week's (subscribers only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer gave an update on the matter, noting that while the much-rumored CM Punk match is still "up in the air" due to Taker's physical condition, the star does expect to wrestle one more time and may have even set a retirement date.

As of a few days ago, he was still “planned” for Punk. What happens with Punk if he’s not doing the show has either not been fully decided or is being kept very quiet. Those who are close with him believe that if he doesn’t do the show this year that his career is not over and it would simply be he didn’t have enough time to fully recover from everything. The expectation is he would like to do the 2014 show, and that show could be built around his farewell, since he’ll be 49 at that point.  

2014 would be WrestleMania 30 (or XXX), making it a fitting and appropriate time for The Undertaker to say goodbye for the final time.
Of course, 49 is still fairly young in wrestling. After all, Sting and Ric Flair are considerably older than that and still appear in the ring on a fairly regular basis.
Some could argue he could go on even past WrestleMania 30.
But Taker's struggling, worn-down physical condition possibly combined with his own pride—this is a man used to having Match of the Year candidates—may mean an early retirement is the best option.

Predictions for the Upcoming PPV

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Elalai Cena William

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There's one final stop on the road to WrestleMania 29: Elimination Chamber.
This Sunday, the WWE heads to New Orleans for the final pay-per-view before its biggest show of the year, and a lot will be determined that night.
The winners of the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship and No. 1 contender's WHC Elimination Chamber matches will likely head to WrestleMania 29 for some of the biggest matches on the grandest stage of them all.
Of course, there are many possible scenarios that could play out at Elimination Chamber, each of which would have a huge effect on both the WWE's short- and long-term futures.
So, what will happen this Sunday in New Orleans?
Here are 10 bold predictions for the last PPV before WrestleMania 29, Elimination Chamber.

Major Name Believed to Be Returning to WWE at the Royal Rumble

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Hey, what would the annual Royal Rumble event be without a surprise or two? Part of the 30-man battle royale's long-lasting appeal is seeing just which name will shockingly pop up next. 

Interestingly, in this week's (subscribers-only) Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Melzter notes that John Morrison is widely believed to be returning to the company this Sunday as a shock entrant to the Rumble:

This isn’t confirmed, nor, obviously, will it be until he’s seen in Phoenix, but the word within wrestling is that Morrison will be in the Rumble as a surprise, and that’s why Morrison is only working the first night of the three Dragon Gate shows in California.

Morrison, who joined the company after winning the third Tough Enough contest, amicably parted ways with WWE in 2011 after his contract expired and he chose not to re-sign. He would later explain in a radio interview with 95X (via WrestlingInc) that he decided he needed some time off from the hectic WWE road schedule.

Morrison also wanted to be able to pursue outside ambitions like acting, an area which he has found some success in. IMDB notes he has a role in upcoming Danny Trejo B-movie Redemption: The Darkness Descending. 

Morrison also became the envy of many men in early 2012 when he filmed a commercial in which he wrestled Hollywood star Jessica Alba.  

As noted, the 33-year-old has been picking up the odd indie date here and there with Dragon Gate and WWFX.

Assuming he does enter the Rumble, it will be interesting to see if Morrison sticks around after that.

Of course, WWE needs all the star power it can get right now, but does Morrison, who struggled greatly to break through the glass ceiling during his first stint, really want to be back full-time?

Certainly, all the political hassle that comes with it may not be worth it to him. 

WWE Royal Rumble 2013: Booker T Talks Shooting Straight Panels, WCW and More

By Elalai Cena William

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Before WWE’s most powerful and resilient Superstars battle it out at Royal Rumble 2013 in Phoenix, Booker T will be a part of one of three panels that will allow fans to ask the tough questions they've been itching to ask.
The five-time WCW champ and current SmackDown General Manager will headline one of WWE's "Shooting Straight" panels that the Royal Rumble Fan Fest this weekend.
Booker T said he is "not going to hold anything back."
He, Big Show and Kevin Nash will talk openly about the Monday Night Wars and the WCW years.
In a conference call interview on Thursday, Booker T gave his views on this year’s Royal Rumble, his time with WCW, his autobiography and a number of other topics.

John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler's TLC Match Stipulation Should Not Surprise Fans

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John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler at WWE TLC.  We all pretty much saw that one coming, right?  But, John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler at WWE TLC with Dolph’s Money in the Bank briefcase on the line? That’s the part that maybe we did not count on, or were hoping was not going to occur.  But the truth is, it’s a scenario that was bound to happen.
Indeed, the moment the announcement was made on the Dec. 3 edition of Monday Night Raw, while it was surprising, it was also somehow expected.
Very expected.
At this point, Cena’s supporters would likely take that last comment to mean that I believe John just slid in and stole Ziggler’s thunder as championship contender.  So, that must mean I’m upset at the guy, right?
Actually, it’s not anger that caused me to write this piece, it was part disappointment, part curiosity.

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Let’s be honest here, the fact is that no one should have been shocked that Dolph was “forced” to put his contract on the line against Cena at TLC.  John is the top guy in the company after all, and despite the fact that he has spent the entire year that CM Punk has been WWE Champion merely chasing the belt, we all knew he would get back to it eventually.
We perhaps just did not know it would happen like this.
For the past few months, Dolph Ziggler has been doing what he always does: building his reputation. Week in and week out, he does nothing but get in the ring and perform.  Match after match, he brings everything he has and proves why he is one of the best hands in the company.

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He does not win every match.  His won/loss record at times is nothing to brag about.  But we as fans get so wrapped up statistics, in who goes over and who doesn’t, that sometimes we end up missing the point.
Ziggler is establishing himself in the ring and earning his stripes in the process.  While we sit back and analyze his matches and his direction, the way we do with so many other WWE Superstars, the better he gets and the more ground he gains.
So, time for the million-dollar question.  Has it all been for nothing?
The thought of Cena taking that blue briefcase away from Dolph is likely too much for some fans handle.  John is Mr. WWE, the man who always comes out on top, but to do it the expense of a younger Superstar who is still trying to grab that main event spotlight?

WWE Needs to Go Old School After CM Punk Injury Changes TLC PPV

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Now that the news has come down from the WWE, and most notably Vince McMahon, that CM Punk has suffered a knee injury that will keep him out of the upcoming TLC PPV, the WWE needs to go in another direction with its champion.
I may not be the first to propose such a move, but shouldn’t the WWE consider a wrestling tournament to decide who will carry the title toward the Royal Rumble and a match with The Rock, or possibly a match at WrestleMania?
In a statement released by WWE.com, McMahon states that his intention is to keep the title on Punk while he is heeling from his injury sustained Monday night.

“CM Punk will be in no condition to defend the WWE Title against Ryback at the TLC Pay-Per-View on Sunday, Dec. 16. However, Ryback does deserve a WWE Title match against CM Punk and will have the opportunity in the very near future.”

Back in the day when the WWF Title was upheld and "The Million Dollar Man," Ted DiBiase, “bought” the championship from Andre the Giant, it was a great thing for the company.  It also showcased stars that the company had within its roster who “had a chance” to win the most coveted title in wrestling.
A title tournament here makes so much sense and makes me question the WWE’s thought process with this unexpected injury.
The writers and management had to think on its feet to make Ryback an instant contender when John Cena was injured. This would certainly be one of those opportunities to prove they can come up with a great idea and stick to it.
The idea that Ryback is now in a six-man match with Team Hell No against The Shield does nothing to get me excited about the TLC PPV.
A tournament that could showcase The Miz, Ryback, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, John Cena and Wade Barrett gets me jazzed just thinking about it. And for once, and I am not trying to steal any of my fellow Bleacher Report F/C C.I.M’s thunder, going old school is the way to go.
It could also lead to a chance for Ryback to challenge Barrett or Ziggler in the final, or maybe we see Cena and Ryback fight it out for a chance to claim the title.
There are so many more options to choose from.
This is a more exciting way for the WWE to end the 2012 year on a high note and have a chance to prepare for 2013.
And if anyone is listening out there, since Punk’s timetable for his recuperation is still unknown, it also means that The Miz could steal the show and go into the Royal Rumble as champion.
Personally, the idea of The Miz vs. The Rock is a great get for the WWE.
After his performance the other night on Raw, it is proof that he could be the next big thing again and headline WrestleMania 29 (against Punk).

WWE Title Winner at Survivor Series Depends on The Rock

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Deciding who is the favorite to win the WWE title match at Survivor Series is an extremely complex matter, since there is no definitive answer.
This is an extremely exciting prospect for all WWE fans as there can be a genuine debate over the merits each wrestler brings to the table, both in the imaginary world of the WWE and in the fickle world of professional wrestling booking. Every decision that has been made by the WWE over recent weeks has been carefully looked into, and fans are none the wiser to who will walk away as the champion.
Ryback looks to be favorite from a purely wrestling perspective, as the monster has torn through the roster and was only denied at Hell in a Cell because of crooked referee Brad Maddox. Yet his character is under-developed, which is makes his role as champion difficult to envisage, and the lack of credible challengers—after the way he has been booked—may cause additional issues.
John Cena could well slide into the role as champion after being away from the title for over a year. He has certainly beaten a number of top guys in recent weeks and has reformed his character enough that critics would accept him as champion once again. However, Cena is currently in the middle of a scandal angle with AJ Lee, Vickie Guererro and Dolph Ziggler and that would be heavily complicated by Cena being the champion.
The incumbent champion CM Punk looks the weakest on paper, having gotten away with the title—rather than holding onto it confidently—over the past couple of pay-per-views. He was also made to look like the fall guy at the end of Raw. Yet there are plenty of reasons to keep the title on Punk, who would pass the one year mark as champion if he were to retain the belt.

Punk is definitely the strongest heel left on Raw—despite being weakened over the last few months—and has plenty of opponents to go up against. He is also gaining a reputation of being able to get out of almost any situation, and this will be confirmed if he escapes with the title against both Ryback and Cena at the same time. These are compelling reasons to keep him as champion.
Ultimately, the decision over who will win the belt will come down to who the WWE wants to face The Rock in two months at the Royal Rumble.
This means the next champion is unlikely to be Ryback, who does not hold the esteem of his two more experienced opponents, although this does not completely rule him out of a title win. He could pick the belt up at Survivor Series and then lose it again at the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view, but this would take away from his monster character significantly.
It is more likely that Ryback will be left out of the final decision at Survivor Series—probably as a result of some outside interference—in order for him to continue his development outside the title spotlight.
This leaves Cena and Punk, who are both legitimate candidates to face Rock. The most likely course of action is that one will face “The People’s Champion” at the Royal Rumble, while the other gets a chance at WrestleMania.
Rumors are circulating that Punk may be given the headline spot at WrestleMania 29, after holding the belt for so long, which does suggest that Cena will win at Survivor Series.
However main-eventing WrestleMania does not necessarily mean fighting for the title anymore. Taking on Undertaker and “The Streak” is considered a bigger deal in some quarters, while the man who gets to face a returning Stone Cold Steve Austin—if that ever happens—would have more kudos than any other wrestler on that show.

This would allow at least two big main events at WrestleMania—Punk against whoever and Rock verses Cena II— which would be even more lucrative for the company.
It is likely that this decision as to who should take on Rock is a dilemma that WWE’s officials are struggling with right now.
Of course the belt could change at Tables, Ladders and Chairs, but this is unlikely. The WWE will want some finality to the CM Punk verses Cena feud before reintroducing Rock into the situation, which means a singles rematch between the two wrestlers involved in the decision at Survivor Series.
So there is no certainty over who will win at Survivor Series, although it is almost definitely won’t be Ryback. The most probable winner will be CM Punk—surviving until the Royal Rumble—where he will get his legends payoff match against The Rock.
The one thing that can be said for definite is that this is exciting booking from the WWE as it has everyone guessing.