Actually if Undertaker's matchup is for a World/WWE title unification it makes more sense for him to face Sheamus than Cena or Orton. Undertaker is at that point where the streak won't end but Cena and Orton are so close to their primes and so high up in the card that losing to the Undertaker at this late stage in his career would only reaffirm that they aren't as good as the Attitude Era wrestlers even now. It'd be like if Stone Cold had faced Ric Flair at WM X-Seven and lost.

However facing another legit main-eventer who isn't "The Rock" or "Stone Cold" of the kiddie era would put every party involved in a win-win situation. Either a superstar on the downside/backend of their prime, where the legacy is secure with the fans regardless the outcome (Jericho), or a superstar on the rise who will have bigger years and bigger matches to come (Miz).

Raw: The Miz, Chris Jericho, or Sheamus

Smackdown: Rey Mysterio, CM Punk, or The Big Show

Kev - Not sure if this changes every time, but the advertisement currently showing for me on the right hand side of this page is for a "fantasies" night club, where Jenna Haze is going to be performing shows. Don't tell the WWE - I'm sure that's not appropriately 'PG"!!

as long as the unified world title doesn't look like the goofy toy belt that is being used as the WWE title, I'm ok with it.

Actually, Kevin, I called it as soon as I saw the title of this entry.

The problem with booking an Undertaker match at Wrestlemania is that the outcome is usually a given, especially based on the opponent. If someone wants to look like a legit threat to end the streak, they have to be a TOP star like Cena, Orton or HHH. I don't care how hard you push Sheamus the next few months, the matchup will still be as predictable and snoozeworthy as Taker/Mark Henry and WM22.

If plans are likely to change before WM27 then I wouldnt be surprised if it turns out to be taker versus alberto del rio for the world title (where del rio defends against taker. so del rio would have to win the title sometime before WM).

Obviously taker would win, but it'll give del rio a massive rub especially if the match went on for like 30minutes.

Unless it's going to be his last match, I don't see Undertaker ever being in a title match at Wrestlemania again. His streak is so much of a draw that it would be a waste for him to be in a title match as well.

What I'd love to see is The Miz cashing in his briefcase for a main event match at WM for the title. Why does the winner always have to use it when the champ is vulnerable? With there now 3 MITB winners a year mix it up a little bit.. Why not use it to make the match for WM.

I'm not sure why Sheamus being Taker's opponent at WM XVII is so beyond the realm of possibility.

Why wouldn't a two time WWE champion be a worthy opponent for Taker? He's got the size, strength and speed plus he's the best heel the WWE has on its roster. Sorry Miz.

I know you don't like Sheamus but I think he's one of the most compelling figures to enter the WWE in the past 25 years.

As for Taker vs. Cena, I think the WWE is going to save that when Taker goes for 20-0 at WM XVIII.

RESPONSE FROM KE: We'll just have to agree to disagree on Sheamus. I still don't see it.

This is all truly speculation. And a pretty fair shot in the dark.

Could it happen? Yes, and that's why it's easy to predict. But realistically, even if it was true, it couldn't be anything more right now than an idea being tossed around. WWE is a business, and all options are being explored. I'm sure of it.

RESPONSE FROM KE: It is only speculation. Meltzer said that plans will likely change 20 times between now and Mania. Just the fact that Sheamus is being talked about right now as Taker's opponent is newsworthy to me.

2 thoughts:

1 - Not sure if I saw it on this site or another one, but I like the suggestion that the Undertaker beats whoever is is facing & wins/retains the championship, then The Miz comes out & cashes in his MITB title shot, making himself an instant legend by ending the streak.

2 - I'd like to see them unify the World/WWE championships, but only if they use the big gold belt & get rid of the hideous WWE belt. Then there is one champion who always headlines PPVs, but the US/Intercontinental championships remain as they are and become the headline belt for each of the TV shows. That adds credibility to all the belts, and also means that the legit main eventers aren't seen as taking a step down by competing against the upper mid-carders in order to see how they would perform as the top guy.

I agree with Ceasar completely. The only reason for Undertaker to face Cena or Orton at this point in a Wrestlemania match is if they are planning to break the streak.
I'd really like to see Undertaker take on Jericho. I can't remember them ever meeting up and I think their styles would match up well (Takers matches with Shawn Michaels prove he is at his best when facing a fast, wily opponent).

I can't see this being true either. With wwe always saying the brand split will stay, there is no reason to only have one champion. Having two shows with a champion on each show is the best way to go.

Dave Meltzer has been proven wrong so many times in the past that I am surprised and disappointed that someone like you would still pass off his blatant fabrications as if they have credibility. Of course, he would never admit to being wrong - or making flat-out lies - since he can always resort to his highly convenient excuse that the WWE "changes plans". Do you really believe the stuff that he makes up? Would you believe me if I told you that I have a friend in the company who is adamant that the Miz will be the one facing the Undertaker next year? Of course not. But you would believe Meltzer just because he's been reporting crap like this for many years now?

As an editor, would you actually print off his unsubstantiated and impossible-to-verify rumors as facts in your newspaper? I don't think so. I hope not. But when it comes to your blog, you don't mind passing off his spin as credible?

RESPONSE FROM KE: Meltzer also has been proven right many times and I respect him as a journalist. He reported that this is the plan being discussed right now and that it could very likely change (because the show is seven months away and WWE does change plans all the time). I see nothing wrong with that.

I've been waiting for those titles to be unified. Give me Orton v. Jericho (first undisputed champion). Have 'Taker bury someone else in a non-title match.

Believe WWE is so boring right now, I haven' watched raw in weeks, and only catch the highlights of smackdown. I hope that when Linda' Senate race is over Win/Lose that the WWE starts making some changes to keep the fans awake.

I read on another site that Sheamus stated in an interview that he would like to face 'Taker at WM27, so I don't know if that's where Meltzer got his info..........

Why do they want to unify the titles?
A Sheamus/ Undertaker match does not suprise me as much as a Undertaker/ Tyson Kidd match at Wrestlemania.
From a business standpoint, best thing to do is turn John Cena heel and have him face the Undertaker. Of course, that will never happen.

I'm not sure people would take Seamus as a serious threat to Undertaker's streak. They have done good jobs of selling he could lose with some in the past. But I don't think people would really believe Seamus could win. No matter how many times he get the better of Taker in the weeks before. I think it almost has to be Cena or HHH. probably Cena because he never face him at wrestlemania. I don't even remember Cena facing him since taker was a biker.

Well, at some point the WWE is going to have to transition to all the new talent. They are going to have to say goodbye to the Kanes, Mysterios, Undertakers, etc. and move on to create new big names. Big Show? Nah. Jericho? Maybe. But why do I just not feel it for Orton or Cena? I guess it just feels like we've seen this all before. I would like to see CM Punk be the one who ends the Streak. He has heel heat, and with a stretching of the PG rating, have him prevail in a slobberknocker to end all slobberknockers. Have him cheat, use foreign objects, whatever, to give UT an excuse for losing, if he needs one. But have Punk so brutalize him in his recent weakened condition that he becomes the monster heel that's been lacking (IMO) for the past few years. Have him go berzerk, I don't know. Make it so bad, McMahon comes down the aisle to stop it but too late. Have a near double count out, but have Punk get up at the last second instead of UT's traditional "back from the brink" sit up thing. Swerve us that way. It would likely make the buzz that WWE lacks right now. Punk would be so over as a heel, he could do what he pleases for a long time. BUT I just don't see too many options right now. Bite the bullet, Vince. Pull the trigger, whatever. Make it a big time WM again.

If the title unification happened I wouldn't put either of them in that match...It has to be "Cena vs Orton" huge otherwise it might be less meaningful.

Personally I'd like to see Kane really beat down Taker at Hell In A Cell, put Taker out of action till Mania and have them compete again...I know that's been done before, but with the beating Kane will have given Taker, Kane might look more of a realistic threat this time.

Then, Taker vs Cena the year after for Taker's retirement match.

I would rather a heel Cena versus a face Orton to unify the titles. This would mean Orton would need to hold the WWE Title for a number of months (unlikely) and Cena winning the Rumble and cashing his win in at Elimination Chamber or something. That all seems pretty far-fetched to be honest. I would like to see Undertaker - Punk, or Undertaker - Miz this year.

Hey, what about Undertaker - Del Rio? Just saying..

I just assumed that the only reason they're building up Kane to the point of absurdity is to make him a viable candidate to lose to UT in WM.

Sheamus has really grown on me. I like him being in the main event picture... A big, brutal barbarian whose future is still bright.

I am less psyched about seeing whatever's left of poor 'Taker drag around the ring again. I'm not saying Undertaker's not one of the all-time greatest, but at his age and in his condition it's just uncomfortable to see him perform, at Wrestlemania or anywhere else.

Count me in for hating the actual WWE belt. Cena changed it when he first became champ so that it could spin, fitting in with his hip hop image, of well, spinners. Since it doesn't even spin anymore, or fit the gimmick, scrap it. And Eck, after reading you yesterday I paid close attention to the Tag belts. You are right, they are hideous. I disagree about Sheamus, he is a compelling character. I understand it's all taste and preference, but how could you be entertained by Vickie Guerrero and not Sheamus? Look here fella, she is awful, Cryme Tyme was much more entertaining.

I almost think if they are looking for a final match for the Undertaker they shouldn't have wasted the Kane match ...he is the most obvious opponent for the Undertaker at Wrestlemania ..and there are so many scenarios to play out..him winning with "the last ride" would be fitting and him disappearing in a firestorm would create a finale effect ...I agree Cena vs Undertaker is a great match but Undertaker vs Kane is legacy....it would be like in Star Wars Luke confronts Danny DeVito in a finale battle (see Sheamus w-hornswoggle) ...this is a story that has been played out for 20 years it needs a big BIG BIGGG FINISH

Why would WWE want to unify the belts in the first place? That just defeats the purpose of the brands.

I found the reaction of the announcers (Cole and Lawler) interesting when Cena unleashed a dropkick in the Gauntlet match. It appeared to be one of legitimate surprise.

Apparently a drop kick was a major wrinkle and something quite different from his normal paint by numbers matches and interviews. Sobering.

Speaking of Cena, could he, and whoever booked this, possibly have buried "Nexus" any further?

I like Gary's idea of the Miz ending the UT's streak on a money in the bank cash in. It wouldn't hurt the UT's reputation and would put even more heat on the Miz.

I respect Meltzer, too, but even I have to agree that his track record on things like this is...shaky. His reputation wouldn't hold up so well outside the very small, usually shoddy (no offense; present company excepted) world of "wrestling journalism" where he is a star. This story could be true or it could be false, and that's just the problem—with a Meltzer scoop, you just never know.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Meltzer is more than just a "wrestling journalist." He also has covered MMA for years and has written for several newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times. Noted sportswriter and author Frank Deford gave Meltzer a wrestling column in The National years ago and has praised his work.

Meltzer's two "Tributes" books, reviewing the lives and professional accomplishments of deceased wrestlers, are amongst the finest books of any genre that I've ever read.

Right Kevin. Deford even called Meltzer one of the best journalists in the country and if wrestling wasn't his main focus, everyone would see that.

I find it newsworthy, not sure why you're getting killed for it Kev.

I find it scary too. Sheamus is like a male Michelle McCool, although I hope he doesn't have to do for HHH what she does for Taker. Wade Barrett does the English thing way better than Sheamus does the Irish thing. They shouldn't be on TV together because you can clearly see one man who has "it" and then one on man who is acting like he does. I'm not sure what Aaron is seeing, because Chris Jericho puts on a heel clinic every week that is better than just saying "fella." If I am ranking the entertainment value of heels on Raw, Zach Rider is above Sheamus. Woo Woo.

I just going to throw this name as a dark horse Batista vs Taker the Animal comes back at the Royal Rumble and then takes on Taker at Mania .

Kev, is there any truth in the rumours that Paul Bearer has returned to the WWE as the Undertakers manager??

RESPONSE FROM KE: Let me put it this way -- based on the story line, would it surprise you if he did come back?

I would love to see Paul Bearer back! That would get me interested.

Down here on the Gulf Coast, I recently had the pleasure of seeing Percy Pringle, the man who portrays Bearer, at an indie wrestling show in Bayou La Batre, AL, and Percy was one the highlights of the night.

He is sharp as a tack. He was razzing the crowd and really delivering world-class insults all around. His son wrestled too, did a good job as a "spoiled brat" heel. Percy is someone who was BORN to be a pro wrestling manager...

Kane wins hell i t cell-hhh wins royal rumble

aaron goldstein is out of his damn mind! good lord, sheamus is cool but he isn't THAT good.

one of the most COMPELLING in the LAST 25 YEARS!! do you even know what "compelling" means?