I hear about several fans and how they long for Abyss being inducted into the "big leagues" namely the WWE. After he rejected their offer to book him against the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, we can clearly see why he doesn't belong in the WWE.
Abyss has been a die-hard loyal TNA worker since NWA/TNA. He has helped it TNA grow as a company and continues to do so despite all of it's shortcomings. Abyss is an underground pro-wrestler who is one of the icons of hardcore wrestling in TNA for the new generation of wrestling fans. WWE has nothing to offer him as far as his wrestling abilities and gimmick goes. They already have Kane as their monster and very technical wrestling matches for main events. The days of hardcore in the WWE are over. Pro-wrestlers like Mankind were only successful during the Attitude Era because hardcore wrestling at the time was popular in the WWF. In later eras, hardcore matches became more and more rare due to Vince McMahon's decision as many pro-wrestlers were getting injured.
For those reasons, Abyss would not survive in the WWE/WWF simply because he isn't cut out to trump out stars pushed for the big stage. Personally, i feel he is better off in TNA as he can continue to help the company grow to it's uttermost potential and that is much more rewarding than taking WWE's offer.
While this may never be possible now that the Undertaker has retired, these are some of my biggest fantasy matches in which if i were a booker - i would plan them immediately. It's unfortunate that WWE could not plan these official matches. I thought some of the Undertaker's matches were unnecessary like a second Kane match or a second Triple H. If the Undertaker still had his undefeated streak, this is how i would've written his legendary match cards.
The Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle - If i were a storyline writer, i'd have Kurt Angle taunt the Undertaker, flaunt his win at No Way Out, put him through the ankle lock again, then finally take his Athleticism to the next level - end the Undertaker's undefeated streak. Both are very competitive fighters as Kurt Angle has experience in legit amateur wrestling while the Undertaker is experienced in MMA. Both have devastating submission holds but which one would dominate the ring - the Ankle Lock or Hell's Gate?
The Undertaker vs. John Cena - Both have legendary careers. John Cena has had more titles than the Undertaker and equally devastating moves. John Cena has enormous strength and great story-telling abilities. He's been in several main events like the Undertaker has. They only wrestled a couple of times ending usually in a no-contest. I would've written an ambitious rivalry between the two for a shot for a WWE title at Wrestlemania. Perhaps making an "I quit" match would be more suitable.
The Undertaker vs. Stone Cold - This would've made a huge main event during the Attitude Era since Stone Cold and Vince McMahon were feuding at the time. If Vince unfairly booked Stone Cold to face the Undertaker in a streak vs. career match, it would've gained so much potential. Both are brutal in their approaches to wrestling in the ring. Stone Cold is a brutal legendary brawler when it comes to a detested opponent. He would be the ideal candidate for the Undertaker seeing how their championship matches went.
The Undertaker vs. Goldberg - From the matches i've seen from Goldberg, he's a devastating wrestler in the ring. His finisher is ridiculously painful from the looks of it. Goldberg is a dominant athlete and an aggressor. Goldberg is very strategic in his approach like the Undertaker.
The Undertaker vs. Sting - Rather than feud with the Authority, i'd have Sting feud with the Undertaker for a match at Wrestlemania. To make things more interesting, i'd book it at Hell in a Cell match. Both are similar in stature, signature moves, submission holds, appearance, and legacies. After all, both men probably wanted to have a match together before Wrestlemania 32.
I'll reiterate, t's a shame that these matches never occurred for whatever reason. Nevertheless it's nice to dream about what could've been differently.
What makes a pro-wrestler a legend? Many fans use the term "legends" all too often to describe their favorite pro-wrestlers but there's not many who meet beyond the standards of a wrestling legend. Modern pro-wrestlers like Roman Reigns unfortunately don't equate to the legends of the past.
Pro-wrestling legends are unlike any another pro-wrestler in the known world of pro-wrestling. They are absolutely amazing. Pro-wrestling legends have these must-have traits:
* Passion and character - Pro-wrestling legends have unbelievable passion for the pro-wrestling business and it shows. They have highly built athletic bodies, wrestling styles, charisma, drive, the list goes on. Most of all, they have believable characters. Creating an unforgettable character begins by unleashing the deepest sides of yourself in the ring. Legends also make the promotion they work for their home. They give their best in everything that they do both in the ring and locker room.
* Solid promos - Outstanding promos consist of a beginning (a strong hook), a middle (build up to an event), and end (concluding remarks). Highly successful pro-wrestlers cut memorable promos. They don't just scream "i'm gonna win!" They all have their own emotional appeal, gimmicks, characters, catch phrases, and so forth. Take Raven for example, he almost always shares a deep philosophical insight on life during his promos. He starts by stating an interesting thought then sometimes goes into comparing his opponent to himself before listing the qualities that make him superior. Promos are delivered effectively with intensity and assertiveness. They're never rushed, but perfectly put together.
* Creative in-ring performance - Just because pro-wrestling is scripted, doesn't mean there's no creativity or athleticism involved. Pro-wrestling legends blend the two together, creating unforgettable matches. Kurt Angle is very athletic in the ring executing intense signature amateur wrestling moves at a fast pace. Why do you think pro-wrestlers like Sting and the Undertaker are entertaining? Because they have various types of moves: Power moves, high flying moves, submission holds, etc. However they don't just wrestle, but entertain the audience by doing something unique to their character and building anticipation in the crowd. For instance, John Cena likes to do his "you can't see me!" hand gesture before executing a finisher. Most of all, pro-wrestling legends sell (make pro-wrestling look realistic) like no tomorrow. One example is when the Undertaker limped on one leg after Kurt Angle put it in an ankle lock.
* Storytelling - You can have outstanding signature moves, but you will bore people if you do not tell stories. Storytelling is when a pro-wrestler builds drama during a match. How do you tell a story? Using your body. The Undertaker, arguably one of the greatest storytellers in pro-wrestling, is the finest example of how story-telling is done. He sometimes begins by having a staredown with someone he's been feuding with like his brother Kane. He then begins by fiercely attacking a pro-wrestler he's been feuding with more than the average opponent. When he gets locked into a chokehold, he sells and leaves you asking "how is he going to get out of that hold?" He also builds anticipation and plot twists by sitting up after a devastating finisher. Great stories happen when there is something at stake such as the Undertaker's streak at Wrestlemania. Just watch the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 25. What made the match so great? Storytelling. It was the way Shawn Michaels put everything in his being to defeat the Undertaker and how the Undertaker gave everything to defend his streak.
* Strong fanbases - Stone Cold, Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, and Sting are all examples of pro-wrestlers who built a strong interaction with their fans. Building a strong relationship with fans starts by creating slogans, hand gestures, catch phrases, or naming fans. For example, Jeff Hardy often refers to his fans as "creatures" and vouches for them in the face of adversity. Gimmicks can also inspire people to dress up as their favorite pro-wrestler, giving him or her further exposure. Legends (heel or face) almost always make their fans apart of the action.
* Revolutionary accomplishments - Every pro-wrestler has contributed in some way or form to the success of a particular set of moves or company. Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, the Undertaker, and others have popularized the WWF/WWE with their entertainment reaching beyond the ring. They've dominated the entire promotion and that's what led them to revolutionize pro-wrestling. Only legends can leave long lasting impact on the pro-wrestling business.
If pro-wrestlers today would be inspired by all-time wrestling legends and learn what made them so successful, pro-wrestling talents would be more than athletes. Pro-wrestling legends go far beyond the norm and that's why they'll forever be engraved in the hall of fame.
The match between the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania was the most shocking match in the WWE universe. When Brock Lesnar broke the Undertaker's undefeated streak, it was perhaps the biggest upset among WWE fans. The crowd was left speechless and disbelief. It has been lingering in some of the fans minds including my own: "Was this pre-determined or was this an accident?"
Vince McMahon stated that it was his decision to book the Undertaker to lose against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania. This was due to a lack of potential candidates available for a main event. It's rumored that the Undertaker himself agreed for Brock Lesnar to end his undefeated streak. Others say that it was Brock Lesnar himself who changed the script. What is the verdict? Who should've been the one to defeat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania? Was Brock Lesnar the right choice for the Undertaker? Why or why not?
I used to believe that Brock Lesnar was a terrible candidate for the job as he seemed no where near the Phenom's level. The Undertaker deserved to face someone who was at the top of a major wrestling promotion. Nevertheless, i have come to realize that Brock Lesnar was the ideal wrestler to break the Undertaker's undefeated streak. In recent matches, i've watched the Undertaker grow old and sluggish. He began making more mistakes and became easily exhausted. During his match with Triple H at Wrestlemania, he suffered a concussion and injuries to his lower back. According to the storyline, he suffered humiliation despite gaining a victory. I would imagine that the Undertaker reflected on his age and retiring long before Brock Lesnar. If he made a huge mistake losing against a superstar that most fans despise at Wrestlemania, there would be a huge uproar. His entire career would end in disaster and his streak being broken by the most unfavorable superstar would cause such a great disappointment. The Undertaker could not let all of his fans down which is why he chose to take action. What set Brock Lesnar apart from the other superstars? He wasn't boastful. He was humble and didn't act as if he was better than the Undertaker like others. He didn't do any promos emphasizing the ending of the Undertaker's streak. Brock Lesnar faced the Undertaker as any other competitor.
Both the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar are MMA fighters. Both are aggressive, ruthless, and dominant in the ring. Brock Lesnar has defeated the Undertaker before under his American Big Evil gimmick and badly. Brock Lesnar is the beast incarnate and for good reasons. Both had an epic clash at Wrestlemania and when the Undertaker performed Hell's Gate on Brock Lesnar - He performed one of the most amazing counters. Brock Lesnar rather than tap out, picked up the Undertaker and slammed him against the canvas. Hell's Gate became the Undertaker's destructive finisher next to tombstone piledriver and favored in later years. Most wrestlers who faced the Undertaker would pass out, tap out, or go for the ropes. Brock Lesnar was demolishing the Undertaker already delivering three F-5's in a row.
By the time Brock Lesnar finally pinned the Undertaker, the referee counted "1! 2! 3!" and it was over. Paul Heyman was so shocked along with everyone in the room. Brock Lesnar had beaten the Undertaker and barely broke a sweat in doing so. Some booed the Undertaker but most fans nevertheless cheered him on as he exited the ring.
Brock Lesnar has caused many injuries in MMA and pro-wrestling alike. He has shown to be a ferocious opponent time and time again. Brock Lesnar is a 5-time world champion and one of the best paid athletes in history. It's finally time for the Undertaker to push a new pro-wrestler unlike pro-wrestlers such as CM Punk and John Cena. Brock Lesnar was the best candidate for the job being a pro-wrestler who reflects the new face of a revolutionary era in WWE and UFC entertainment.
I hear about several fans and how they long for Abyss being inducted into the "big leagues" namely the WWE. After he rejected their offer to book him against the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, we can clearly see why he doesn't belong in the WWE.
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