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

photo from wwe.com

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

photo from wwe.com

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.