Will The Undertaker Have His Last Match at WrestleMania 28?

Feb 15, 2012
Jillian Bost

Will Undertaker’s Match Against Triple H Be His Last? - Image by Steve Wright Jr. via Wikimedia Commons

Will The Undertaker's match with Triple H at WrestleMania 28 be his last, or will he continue to fight and take the streak beyond 20-0?

On the January 31 2012 episode of WWE Raw, The Undertaker made his long-awaited return to the company. He stared down Triple H, then looked up at the WrestleMania 28 logo. Triple H patted him on the arm and left the ring, implying that he didn’t want to fight. If The Undertaker defeats Triple H at WrestleMania 28, his streak will be intact at 20-0. If he loses, it will be the end of his career. But even if Taker does win, might it be his last match anyhow?

Speculation on Retirement

There has been speculation on Undertaker’s retirement for many years, from the mid-1990s and more steadily as the years have passed. His countless injuries have led to noticeable changes in his ring repertoire, and his absences from the ring have gotten longer and longer. His most recent sabbatical lasted ten months. It seems unlikely he will engage in feuds with other WWE Superstars after his bout with HHH.

WWE insider Jim Ross has commented multiple times on Undertaker’s eventual retirement, and has said he doesn’t think such an event will happen anytime soon. He said if Taker retired, a huge deal would be made out of it. But that doesn’t preclude the possibility of the Undertaker leaving WWE once he’s hit 20-0.

Who would he feud with after defeating The Game? Kane? Kevin Nash? Shawn Michaels has vowed not to come out of retirement, so he is not a likely candidate. Many fans would love to see Taker take on someone he’s never feuded with, such as The Miz or John Cena. Those are possibilities for WrestleMania 29, should the Deadman opt to stay.

Taker’s Reasons for Keeping Up the Fight

In a video package on the February 6 2012 Raw, Undertaker told Triple H he could not allow his last victory over him to be the way he was remembered. Triple H had reminded everyone repeatedly that Taker couldn’t walk out under his own power after 2011’s WrestleMania.

Though Taker has already beaten The Game at two of WWE’s most illustrious pay-per-views, he must defeat him a third time, though Triple H has refused to fight him out of respect. But understandably, from the character’s point of view, he would wish to prove that he can defeat Triple H (albeit for the third time) and stand on his own two feet.

20-0 is a Very Respectable Streak to End A Career With

But if The Undertaker were to end his WrestleMania legacy on April 1 2012, and never fight again, he would still have left behind an incredible, amazing history. He’s defeated greats such as Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Batista, Edge, and Shawn Michaels (twice). This doesn’t include all the great things he’s done outside WrestleMania.

He defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWF Championship at the 1991 Survivor Series. At the time, Hogan was arguably the most popular and promoted wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation. He has won numerous championships and shaped one of the most intriguing characters in professional wrestling’s history. If he ends his career at WrestleMania 28, he will have nothing to be ashamed of.