Official WWE/TNA/ROH Thread

[HollywoodLeo]

I can only imagine Callaway said he's done and he has to lose or else the pressure to keep going (both external and internal) would just be too great.

I doubt Lesnar would be the ideal choice if they went into this year knowing the streak would end and this likely came to fruition after they already booked towards Lesnar/Taker, and as such Lesnar mainly got lucky Callaway decided to quit during his year.

I think if somebody sat down 22 years ago and scripted all 22 matches ahead of time somehow knowing who would be big and when they would have ended it either at HBK or HHH, or perhaps scheduled someone else for last year or this year.

[Mach]

Undertaker...lost?

[HollywoodLeo]

As for Reigns, that seems great in theory to put him over but I think you answered your own question there. Too many diehard fans would boo him and it'd do him more of a disservice than a service. And he's getting himself over well on his own anyway.

I think you absolutely have to use an established star to end it. Maybe not a part time established star like Brock if you have more time to book it, but an established star none-the-less. I think that also keeps the streak legit anyway.

[Slyder]

I can only imagine Callaway said he's done and he has to lose or else the pressure to keep going (both external and internal) would just be too great.

I doubt Lesnar would be the ideal choice if they went into this year knowing the streak would end and this likely came to fruition after they already booked towards Lesnar/Taker, and as such Lesnar mainly got lucky Callaway decided to quit during his year.

I think if somebody sat down 22 years ago and scripted all 22 matches ahead of time somehow knowing who would be big and when they would have ended it either at HBK or HHH, or perhaps scheduled someone else for last year or this year.

Random Question: Do you think there could have been a way to book from Rumble to Mania that would have made Daniel Bryan believable as the one to end the streak? Would the pressure have been too much? I've heard a few people say that the streak itself is bigger than the belt and by putting Bryan in vs Taker you put Taker in there with someone who could help carry him to another 4+ star match and the ultimate sign of respect that Taker would put him over the right way?

[HollywoodLeo]

Random Question: Do you think there could have been a way to book from Rumble to Mania that would have made Daniel Bryan believable as the one to end the streak? Would the pressure have been too much? I've heard a few people say that the streak itself is bigger than the belt and by putting Bryan in vs Taker you put Taker in there with someone who could help carry him to another 4+ star match and the ultimate sign of respect that Taker would put him over the right way?

Any other year, yes. But after all the events since Orton cashed in you absolutely have to give Bryan the payoff at Wrestlemania.

Even if they initially didn't plan that and the fans saved them from themselves booing Batista on his return it still worked out the best way.

[Epic Dean]

I feel like the loss needed to come to someone like Lesnar only younger. You can't give a straight up babyface that win because the crowd will murder them afterwards if you give it to a "beast" like heel character you can run with that and get them more heat, kinda like they should have done at the end of the rumble when they sent Rey in last instead of a heel

[redsfan28]

12 hours removed and I'm still disgusted with the E putting Lesnar over Taker. I knew the streak had to end, but to Lesnar is an insult to wrestling fans. Undertaker has to be finished or only have one last match vs Sting in order for this to be kosher. I just hate that Lesnar is the guy to end the streak.

[HollywoodLeo]

People are quick to jump on the E like they just made it that way but what if that's what Mark wanted?

[redsfan28]

If Mark wanted to end it, then pick someone else. I never had an issue with the streak ending. It was the person ending it that I have an issue with.

[HollywoodLeo]

That's not what I meant. What if Mark personally chose to end it against Lesnar?

[Witlon]

He's offered to lose (reportedly) to Kane and Orton at 20 and 21, so maybe he just wanted this part of his life over with...? Plus, there were rumors in 2010 that he wanted Brock to come back to take down the streak, anyway, but with the build, nobody thought it would happen 4 years later.

I figure Taker comes out tonight, announces his retirement on Raw, Sting or Cena interrupt and say one more match, next year, Wrestlemania. End career.

[redsfan28]

Then he's just as dumb as the E for bringing Lesnar back.

[HollywoodLeo]

Here's the thing. None of us truly know what went down when decisions were made, yet that doesn't stop internet marks from jumping to the conclusion that WWE creative sat down and said "This streak needs to end and it needs to end against Brock Lesnar" and made it happen. IF that were truly what happened I'd agree with your response.

However, as in all aspects of life, there are typically circumstances that lead to decisions.

Could Taker have said he wanted it to end and they chose Lesnar in advance? Perhaps. But it's equally just as likely that they simply booked Brock to face him this year under the assumption it'd stay alive and after it was too late to go back Mark decided he wants it to end because he can't do it anymore. If that were the circumstance then Brock simply got the luck of the draw and you can't blame the E on who it ended up being.

It's also just as likely that Mark told creative that "I want to end the streak and I want to end it against Brock Lesnar". And if that were the case you definitely can't blame the E for it and, while I don't like the choice, you have to respect Taker's decision.

I'm also hearing rumors that Mark audibled mid match and told Lesnar to beat him (although I'm having trouble buying that one)

[Hammer]

im hearing the audible story, and im also hearing that only vince, taker and lesnar knew, thus the shock from heyman and the commentators

[Slyder]

I know Lesnar doesn't want to do this full time but what if you start seeing Lesnar on a larger scale? Maybe working some of the 2nd tier PPVs and you see him getting into with guys who are the future (ex. Cesaro). You won't get Lesnar back as a 100% full timer (IE House Shows) but you can still make cash with this without the fear of the fans turning on someone like if you were to have Roman Reigns end it. People fear Lesnar anyways and this just adds to that. Plus the fact even if Lesnar's not there you still have Heyman running around reminding people that his guy beat the streak.

Let's see what happens tonight. If Sting does indeed challenge Taker to one more match, I can live with Lesnar ending it. I just hope WWE, Sting, and Taker all have it planned for sort of a Warrior/Hogan type storyline face vs face and its meant more for the fans like us (I'm assuming most of us are in the 18-39 yr demographic) that have always dreamed of seeing Sting and Taker going out there and giving it their all.