It would be very interesting if WWE went the route with turning Cena heel for a feud with Taker. Then again, he's proven he can handle himself in hostile situations and can be a heel if the time is right. Remember One Night Stand four years ago against RVD?

If he has to become a heel for the rivalry, why not a short term thing like HBK did with Hogan leading up to Summerslam in 2005?

Kev, what about Kurt Angle?

I saw Triple H does it this year for HBK and then save a huge match for the following year so Taker can finish 20-0 I think they should induct Taker to the hall of fame the night before, let everyone know its his final match and build it as Cena vs Taker with the final chance to end the streak

So much for our leader Kevin Eck turning heel. Kevin's heel turn was about as short lived as Sting's in WCW that one time.

I'm just having trouble even giving a flying.....well....you know. If Michaels had to do the job to Taker, no one else is going to go over, except for possibly Triple-H, and that would only be because of the nepotism angle, which would be BS. Can you tell I'm bitter because Michaels didn't go over, lol?

I just think it's bad booking, first of all, a streak in pro wrestling is meaningless, and second, if anyone was going to end it, it should've been Mr. Wrestlemania. If Cena, Triple H, or anyone else goes over Taker at this point, it would be total BS and a slap in the face to Michaels. So again, I'm just having trouble caring who the hell Taker wrestles next at Mania, because he'll either A) go over (ho hum), or B) job a year or later than he should have. Either way, it sucks.

I predict that the Undertaker will face Sheamus at WM XVII. I know you're not a Sheamus fan but he's got the size, the attitude and he's gradually getting more heat. It's not inconceivable that Sheamus could give the Underaker a beat down strong enough to convince the WWE Universe he has a chance to end the streak.

Possible that it could be HHH and the storyline could be to get revenge for retiring his best friend. If not Cena, maybe Chris Jericho.

Off topic, but did you see that DIRECTV has David Hasselhoff (I haven't finished watching last Monday) hosting RAW. CM Punk should make an appearance, not to shave his head (the Hoff is an alcoholic), but his chest hair. Now that would get ratings!

I don't think any of those choices are correct. I think they should use Taker's streak to get some up and comers over. A really good match with Taker at Wrestlemania would get a quality worker over to new heights. If you want him to get to 20 I'd have him work with Drew McIntyre or Christian(I know that is never gonna happen but it's my dream let me tell it how i want to) to get get him some rub this year and then next year have him work with a face like Kofi and he'll be 20-0 and you have two new guys to run with.

Considering that he is pretty banged up maybe he'd end up skipping next year's Wrestlemania altogether.

Hey Kev, besides Cena and HHH what about a new guy who by WM 27 will possibly get built up enough over the year to be a worthy challenger to Taker? Guys like Sheamus, Drew Mcntyre or The Miz

RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't think there is any chance that WWE would put Miz in that spot. I don't see McIntyre or Sheamus there either, but Sheamus does have the right people behind him, so you never know, but I think it's a long shot.

Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way, but who cares? I really don't see anyone ever beating Taker at Wrestlemania. And to be honest I find it hard to get interested in the match when I know what the conclusion will be. The only reason Taker vs. Michaels I & II were worth watching was because they put on excellent matches, but both times I knew the ending long before the match was over. It's kind of like Punk and Mysterio; if Mysterio puts his mask on the line, do you really think he's going to lose? I know that Taker has always put on great matches and that in itself should get you excited, but at this point it's become a stale act. I'm tired of seeing this stupid storyline playing out every year to only see the same result. Call it sacrilige but I think that Taker needs to not win; not lose but tie. It wouldn't mean the same thing as a loss and it would keep the streak intact. This could be done through a last man standing match or something like that. What would you think about that, Kev?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I think it's highy unlikely that the streak will be broken or that there will be any draws.

I agree with Cena being the next; in fact I've told friends that should have been at this year's 'Mania. Cena is the only one who really hasn't had a serious program with 'Taker (or none that I can recall). The build-up could be as interesting as the first HBK-Taker match in 1997 at Ground Zero, if I remember correctly.
But although I am not a Cena fan, the ultimate "passing of the torch" would be for Cena to snap the streak......that match should be put in Cowboys Stadium where they could shatter the WMIII record...........

Good discussion as always. I personally think the next WM has to have Vince and someone of his choosing in a screw the undertaker set up type of match. Something like what Batista and Vince did to Cena. Personally, the only believable one left is Show. He'll be long done with Miz by then, and he could be "hired" by Vince to end the streak after 'Taker beats up Vince's hand picked successor at a pay per view later this year.

See? I got it all figured out! LOL.

20-0 would be like Roger Federer's grand slam semi final streak or Dimaggio's hitting record. Could it become true? Only time will tell as the Undertaker's conditioning may falter very soon and he will have to work very hard for it.

I think Taker and Rey could put together a pretty entertaining match.

The Rock

The other possibility that you didn't consider (in your post, at least) was that one of the younger guys on the roster might rise up to being a believable challenge by next year. The favorites here would probably be Swagger and Sheamus, but seeing how their pushes have been poorly handled I doubt it. A couple other guys I can maybe see it happening with are Dibiase and Morrison.

I think the benefit of going this route is you can have the whole "you're too old, it's my time now" kind of storyline and the fans might believe that 'Taker is going to lose to put over one of the up-and-comers. They could actually go through with it and put over a new star, I suppose, but I don't really see that happening.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I agree that would be a great idea, but the problem is that no one fits the bill. None of the guys you mentioned would be taken seriously by the fans. The best guy for that spot would have been Brock Lesnar had he stuck with wrestling.

20-0 sounds about right--Jericho at WM 27 and Cena at WM 28.

as an HBK fan I'd be pretty PO'd to see Cena end Taker's streak the next year. Which he clearly would because if he lost 4 million prepubescent boys would commit suicide and Raw's rating would dip to 0.4.

Since UT will probably win, it could be anybody that could use a nice rub.

what id they gave Kane i gigantic push, turned him back into a masked monster - and did one final undertaker kane program - which kids love.

but nah, kane is going to stay a jobber for the rest of his career.

What about Punk? He is the darkest character WWE has outside of Undertaker currently. Taker @ 1 time was a cult leader w/ the Ministry, perhaps there could be some play off that. The 1 feud I always wanted to see was Raven vs. Undertaker & I've joked that Punk & Gallows are WWE's Raven & Horace, perhaps they can just use Punk instead. Or maybe they could just have a fashion show match where in order to win the wrestler who best exemplifies the WWE dress code is the winner. WWE could cross-promote w/ mainstream entertainment (as they like to do esp. around 'Mania) such as America's Next Top Model & have Tyra Banks & other celebs @ Wresltemania to be judges. But seriously though, a deranged Punk vs. Taker would be cool.

I'm not sure. If I were placing bets on it, I would say that next year will be Undertaker's last WrestleMania. I think there would be a serious backlash to Cena ending The Streak. It would be great for Taker to retire HHH and ride off into the sunset next year, but I doubt they would go along with losing two of the last remaining big names on the same night.

I think the Taker-Jericho thing could work, no way Jericho wins. I wouldn't mind seeing Orton-Taker again. Wishful thinking for me would be Taker-CM Punk. Maybe have Punk push Taker to the absolute limits, ala HBK, and then have Undertaker pass the torch after the match and the next night on Raw.

Punk is an incredible heel but once this SES starts to fade he will be a white hot face if they book him correctly. Everyone wants to like Punk anyway. I think its a misconception that The Streak has to end. I'm seriously hoping that it doesn't. There are other ways for people like Punk, to get a rub from facing Taker at Mania. No one is worthy of ending it IMO.

Kevin, I could see Taker-HHH at Mania again. I always liked that match that they had at X-7. It was my favorite match on that card and is actually one of my favorite all time mania matches.

Great blog. . . Definitely HHH, Cena and Jericho are the only real options for next year, but HHH makes more sense. If after 20-0 the Undertaker left WWE, how long after do you see him being inducting into the Hall of Fame? Also, what do you think are the chances of Taker coming back on a yearly basis to wrestle at WrestleMania taking his streak to 25-0. Matches against Ted DiBiase (the history with Million Dollar Man bringing Taker to WWE), etc. ???

I have been a fan of The Undertaker's for years, but I want The Streak to end at some point. He has to pass the torch. My first choice is CM Punk, but we all know that's not realistic. John Morrison? At this point, his prospect of even facing Taker at Wrestlemania - let alone winning - is remote. Neither HHH nor Cena would get me into eager anticipation, but they are probably the only two men whom the fans would buy as having a chance at victory.

My guess is that when it is all said and done the Undertaker will end his career on a Wrestlemania defeat- as a way of "passing the torch" to someone else. Obviously that person would have to be a major superstar and as of now the only person that could be considered is Cena (mabye HHH if he has any say).

If Taker is going soon, then ultimately it will be Cena that beats him; however, if Taker is going to be around for 4 or 5 more years, then he could concievably pass the torch to whoever the next big superstar is (McIntyre, Sheamus, Swagger, Miz, Morrison, DiBiase, or whoever else might emerge. I know its hard to see now but the WWE is with a doubt grooming these guys for big things).

As for next year's opponent, I guess it depends on Taker. If he's planning on hanging it up then it'll probably be Cena. If not, the HHH idea makes sense and if not him then it doesn't really matter because they won't have a believable chance anyway.

i like the hhh matchup more than cena for the same reasons you mentioned, plus it would be way easier to turn hhh heel than cena. i dont think anyone would believe hhh could end the streak either though. unless of course... HBK as special guest referee!

I'd like to see a scenario where it is Cena vs. The Undertaker at one of the next two Wrestlemania's and just when it looks like a heel Cena is about to win the match, HBK comes through the crowd and superkicks Cena to allow the Undertaker to win. Done purely out of respect for the Dead Man.

I'm thinking that Undertaker wants to run the record to 20-0 before calling it a career (just a hunch, no basis for this). At this stage in his career (and after two very taxing, show-stealing performances with HBK), I think that 'Taker will want to take a "year off" so to speak, and his opponent will a mid-carder on the rise that will get a rub from a short program culminating in a WM loss to Undertaker; Ziggler, McIntyre, DiBiase, someone along those lines. He'll then rest up for one last hurrah for his twentieth win, with Cena the likely victim.

Goldberg may not be a big deal in the WWE universe right now, but with his appearance on the latest season of Celebrity Apprentice and 3 seasons of Bullrun on Speed channel, he might just have enough cross-over appeal for Vince to give him a second chance.

John Cena would be the only one with a believable chance, but in order for the match to be compelling, he'd have to turn heel. He'd be booed out of the building anyway. A Cena heel turn is long over due.

If not Cena, then perhaps WWE should ring up the producers of 24. Jack Bauer would go to great lengths to beat the Undertaker!! : )

If WWE treats Cena/Taker like they did Cena/Batista, it would be terrible, to say the least. They'll waste it on SummerSlam, and set the Mania rematch to some stupid storyline relating to Mr.McMahon. Dear God, I hope they don't do it.

If anyone can beat Taker at WM, it's you Kevin Eck!

I think what most of the people making these suggestions are forgetting is that you have to at least give the illusion that UT's streak could be in jeopardy. The only one's I can see being able to create that illusion are Cena and HHH. And HHH makes the most sense because of his relationship with Michaels. HHH is by far the most logical candidate.

That will be huge definitely to see Cena vs Taker at Mania but for me, there are two impediments only apart Triple H.
1. A Hall of Famer or future HOF returns to the ring like Austin, The Rock, Lesnar or Goldberg.
2. A very minim possibility: In 2010, a new generation superstar gets a huge undefeated streak by beating some WWE top dogs.

I think Cena had still better chances but I heard that Goldberg was returning for the sake of his son who wants him to wrestle again. This would take an interesting storyline that his son demands him to do what no superstar has been able to do.

I'm still hoping Sting somehow signs like a 2 month contract to feud with Taker, just imagine the promos they could both use the "darkness" to their advantage for instance Sting is doing a promo the lights shut and Sting is on the ground and vice versa. I just think it would be pretty cool Sting coming to WWE for one reason to end his streak. Of course Taker would need to win though.

I think Cena is the next logical choice in a lot of ways. It would be the ultimate babyface vs babyface match and they would likely be the main event. I just don't see any other matchup that would draw the attention of undertaker vs michaels. Triple H could be an outside opportunity with maybe some type of revenge angle, but would that be as interesting? Hard to say.

I really don't care who "Taker wrestles at WM 27. The only ones who will end the streak will be Triple H, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre or Vincent Kennedy McMahon. They have the right people behind them to make it happen.

I don't like this "streak" thing at all. It has to be broken at some point. Otherwise it wouldn't make any sense. Personally I would like some young guy to break it but I can understand if WWE doesn't want to go that way. So it should be someone on whom WWE can completely rely on for next 5-6 years as the face of the company. So the first option that comes to my mind is Cena. Another option is Orton. IMO, Orton is a better choice simply because of his very believable gimmick. Orton breaking the streak would bring him in the league of Austin and Rock. And that would be quite profitable for WWE as well.

There is one more name, and not from the current WWE roster...Sting.

Since Wrestlemania is going to be held in Atlantla and there are heavy hints about a WCW themed HoF, Kev what do you think the chances are of the fans dream match...UT vs Stinger at Wrestlemania?

At this point, I don't think they should ever end the streak. If it wasn't going to be HBK this year, it shouldn't be anybody. Thing is, there's going to be a tremendous amount of resentment at the person that ends the streak, particularly since Shawn Michaels gave his career to it. I think it would be kind of an "anti-rub". People always say that "some up-and-comer should break the streak", and that's just a bad idea. The backlash against that person would haunt his career.

Jericho deserves to be part of the streak because he's Jericho. You're right, he'd have no chance. But whatever. He also might be the one guy that's gotten enough respect for being willing to put anyone over that he might be able to survive a post-streak breaking backlash.

Cena will happen, sooner or later. If it's Cena, though, prepare for the internet to break with people complaining about "Super Cena" being put over at the expense of a better wrestler yet again. Of course, I'll be at the front of the line.

WWE should book Undertaker in a triple threat match for WM27. The whole "Streak" suspense has run its course. Having two opponents at once would freshen up the threat of someone breaking the Streak just enough to make it viable, especially if the opponents mutually agreed that it didn't matter to them who won, "as long as it isn't Undertaker" (ala HBK/Benoit @ WM20).

Additionally, there are the built-in benefits of Undertaker not having to wrestle as hard in a three-way match, and with two opponents to land on, he could try the dive again.

Then, Undertaker versus John Cena for 20-0 and call it a career.

I agree with you. I think the WWE will want Undertaker to go 20-0. If HBK didn't get the honor of breaking the streak, no one should. I think one way they could accomplish this is have Undertaker go into WM27 as World Heavyweight Champion, defeat his opponent (Cena), then have the Money In The Bank winner (Jericho) cash in the briefcase and be squashed. This way, Taker only has to be at one more WM event and score 2 victories in the same night. The lights would go out,and when the smoke clears the only thing in the ring is the World Heavyweight Championship. Undertaker goes out on top and we get a tournament to settle the next champion.

Undertaker will definetely face Chris Jericho at WM 27. At WM 28 he will face John Cena, 20-0 retirement.

What might be kind of cool is an open challenge to any and all wrestlers. As in, the Undertaker says, "I've beaten everybody, there's no one else to wrestle, and have a bunch of the young guys, etc. try him over the period of several weeks, with him taking them out in squash matches. Throw in a few recent 'old-timers' for nostalgia. BUT THEN have Taker's opponent at Wrestlemania guarantee he'll end the streak, but be anonymous right up till the WM match. The mystery should jumpstart the buyrates, but the payoff would have to be worth it. Still, it would be the coolest "who is it?" they've done in a long time, if done right.

19 is just a passing number to 20, no matter who is the oppenent. Cena should be the candidate to bend over for Taker this year. To be honest Im a Michaels mark so i couldnt care less about his over pushed streak anymore.

From a business point of view an up and comer should be the one to break the streak. The Miz hasnt a hope but this man looks like he has great potential. He has HBK/Rock elements in him. Id book him to go over 19-1.

HHH as next years opponent makes sense but why should Hunter put him over twice. Michaels is a bigger star then Taker but he didnt have job two years in a row.

What about Ted Dibiase, his father "brought" UT into the WWF and he could try to steal the streak away by paying off hired guns to beat down UT in a no disqualification match.

They could bring back all of the victims of the streak (that are still alive) to come out during the match to interfere and Taker can mysteriously disappear into retirement (see Taker vs Yokzuna casket match)

CM Punk in my opinion is the right candidate to face Taker. He could create a great illusion of being able to beat Taker by claiming that he found the secret of Taker's undefeated streak which will leave Taker puzzled and disturbed...And also Punk can impersonate pretty well, his long hair and his cult of personality can match the undertake past gimmick. If Punk is booked well between now and WM27, the match is likely to be intriguing. Wouldn't this be intriguing Kev? Besides, this will make Punk more credible for the future...

Hi Kevin - I'd really like your take (pardon the pun) on Takers "Streak" - For me its not only outlived its usefulness it actually takes away from his Wrtestlemania matches. For the last I don't know how many Wrestlemania's I have always seen takers matches as a foregone conclusion - where basically because of the streak you know their is no way he will lose. It ruins it, completely, and I have to say it ruined HBK putting his career on the line because straight away you knew the outcome

This streak is obviously going to be takers legacy in WWE's view which I think is not only a pretty useless legacy, its also completely unfair to the man. His legacy will be the fact that he is the most respected man in the business, by the business (performers, and backroom staff alike). That will far outlive any streak

Like you I also think he will go 20-0 and then call it a day. The question is will he do business and put someone over on his 21st Wrestlemania appearance??? (Vince probably wouldn't allow it)

Would be interested in your opinion on this as its something that is increasingly starting to annoy me come Wrestlemania time

RESPONSE FROM KE: I think Undertaker, because he is such a pro, would be happy to put someone over in his last Mania match, but I don't think Vince wants The Streak to ever end. I actually like The Streak because it has become like another title match at Mania. Yes, it is often obvious to a lot of people that Taker will win, but not always. A good amount of people thought Shawn was going to win this year. I actually thought Orton was going to end it in 2005.

Hi Kevin - Thanks for the response. I actually heard Orton say in an interview that Taker wanted to put him over in 2005, and end the streak but Orton refused as he didn't think it was right

Interesting analysis Kevin. I considered the same question on my own blog and suggested that maybe a tag match would be the way to go? That way, there would be the question of whether or not 'Taker's partner would lose and cost him the streak

Cena/taker will be a exciting entertainment

Undertaker say's that he's has beat the best. An he's doesn't talk he finish the job. The strong will never win only the weak one's will beat the Undertaker streak so you don't have to believe it. But never say never.

I just don't see the greatness of the streak anymore. If theres another notch on the streak or if Cena beats him, I don't believe I'd watch wrestling for a LONG time.
In an unrelated topic, Kev ;
When do you think HBK will guest host RAW?

Its very hard to pick the next match up for the deadman. HBK and Taker really raised the bar and I really dont think that there is a choice... I dont mind the Cena choice but I have always said that he has to go heel....but difficult to see that. I really think The Rock should of appeared at WMXVI to face John Cena cuz the storyline with Batista is really bad. I mean cmon losing three straight to Cena..hello he beat The Game for his first title. I honestly think that Randy Orton should be the choice. Alot of stars getting pushed aside and feuds we are missing out on to keep Cena on top. I YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING

The streak should stay. The streak will help remember all those superstars associated with it, say after 30-40 years, If the streak dies, with it dies some names like Snuker,Roberts, Sid, Diesel, whom people might not remember otherwise,sadly.

As for Taker's last match, it should be at Survivor Series against Kane. Possibly, a Masked Kane, because Kane said in a recent interview that they had not completely shaken off the possibility of putting it back in future.