The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orelans. WrestleMania 30. The night that epitomized just how unpredictable and surreal the WWE can be. Brock Lesnar slung an old, worn out Undertaker onto his shoulders and battered him onto the canvas for a third F5. The Beast Incarnate dropped to the floor, hooked a leg and the referee counted to three - in quite possibly the longest and most heartbreaking pin in history. He had done it. Brock Lesnar broke The Streak, and now well over a year following that famous night in New Orleans, they will go to war again.
Fans in attendance were evidently in mixed emotions shock, heartbreak, elation and devastation. It had it all, but regardless of your feelings towards the bewildering choice to grant Lesnar one of the biggest moments in sport entertainment history, it made for tremendous storytelling.
The aftermath of WrestleMania, despite Daniel Bryan's title triumph, saw a ferocious outrage from antagonized fans on social media with death-threats directed at the man who undoubtedly stole the headlines, Brock Lesnar.
WWE's decision to end one of the best streaks in sports entertainment history that spanned over two decades was audacious to say the least, and the man who broke it launched himself onto a whole new level of legitimacy.
Subsequent from his defeat to Triple H two years ago at WrestleMania 29, Lesnar has not been pinned or submitted in any match since, thus that statistic becoming a substantial component in his inexorability persona.
The Undertaker's streak spanned over a humongous 21 years, and up until Lesnar's historic triumph, many believed if a man was to end it, his on-screen brother Kane, the legendary Shawn Michaels or an upcoming star would have been the more logical choice.
Shawn Michaels and Kane both fell short in their quests to snap The Streak, but it's failed attempts of the gigantic catalogue of legends and highly-prolific superstars that ultimately epitomizes how huge Lesnar's victory at WrestleMania 30 actually was. Triple H, CM Punk, Edge, Randy Orton, Ric Flair, Jake Roberts and Sycho Sid all squared up to The Undertaker and his awe-inspiring streak, but they were all sent straight back to reality as The Deadman continued to rack up victory after victory at WrestleMania.
Shawn Michaels and Kane both fell short in their quests to snap The Streak, but it's failed attempts of the gigantic catalogue of legends and highly-prolific superstars that ultimately epitomizes how huge Lesnar's victory at WrestleMania 30 actually was. Triple H, CM Punk, Edge, Randy Orton, Ric Flair, Jake Roberts and Sycho Sid all squared up to The Undertaker and his awe-inspiring streak, but they were all sent straight back to reality as The Deadman continued to rack up victory after victory at WrestleMania.
Opting to deny other legends the honour of becoming the man to make history became even more significant when Lesnar defeated Undertaker, and as said above, made the majority of fans reeling from what was described as a "waste of a win" for a part-timer who according to those fans, didn't need to break The Streak and should have been left for a younger talent to achieve.
Whether you wanted the former WWE champion to emerge victorious at WrestleMania 30 or not—it will still remain in the history books as Brock Lesnar ended The Streak— and well over a year on from that defeat to the man who was famously conquered at the "Show of Shows" could not only revenge but crush his reign of dominance; leaving WWE scratching their heads questioning why they ever ended The Streak in the first place.
On the other hand, the company have unquestionable faith in Lesnar to remain one of their biggest draws and money-makers, as following on from his shocking win at WrestleMania, he returned and dismantled the face of WWE John Cena to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship; cementing his place as one of the most accomplished superstars of all time who was set for his biggest and greatest ever year in the company.
The Beast Incarnate successfully shut out another Cena title reign by retaining at Night of Champions, and then returned to the Royal Rumble where he toppled the former champion himself and Seth Rollins in a match of the year contender. Then, his reign as champion, but not an unstoppable beast, came to end at the hands of Seth Rollins who produced another shocking WrestleMania moment; cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Despite the decision to put the title on Rollins leaving the WWE Universe split in groups of elation and sourness—one thing remained intact—Brock Lesnar's status as one of the company's most unstoppable monster on the roster. He lost the championship, but never took the pinfall for it; sending the fans home with a new champion but also a beast who was "robbed" out of his title and undoubtedly set to return months later and bid to win it back.
He would return a few weeks prior to Battleground and set his sights on the man who executed heist of the year, Seth Rollins, but the shocking return of The Undertaker would allow the champion to retreat with his title and rekindle the feud Lesnar and Undertaker had in early 2014.
It leaves WWE in a strenuous, awkward decision—continue The Beast's rampant run in the company or allow The Undertaker to truly ignite his career—inflicting painful revenge on the man who ended the most decorated streak in sports entertainment history.
Many fans have already discharged their strong opinions on who should emerge victorious at the biggest event of the summer, but Lesnar still remains the man with the greater amount to lose. Ever since his loss to Triple H at WrestleMania, not a single superstar has been able to solidify themselves as an almighty force by pinning/submitting Lesnar and defeat at SummerSlam will instantly backpedal him to the position two years ago where his long road to becoming WWE's most unstoppable beast began.
Although many feel the SummerSlam main event should culminate with a clear victor, outside interference could ultimately favour both Lesnar and Undertaker as the former survives a devastating blow to his beastly status, and the latter doesn't fall victim again; keeping his over 20-year career alive.
Sting has been one superstar heavily rumoured with a mouth-watering feud with The Undertaker, and a shock interference from the man who made his WWE debut at WrestleMania should not be brushed under the carpet of "not going to happen or "WWE aren't creative enough for that". It's a strong possibility.
If he does cost Undertaker his rematch against Lesnar, the general feeling backstage foresees a half-year build up to their possible showdown at WrestleMania 32, located in The Deadman's hometown of Texas.
However, Sting isn't the only part-timer rumoured to gatecrash SummerSlam, as Hollywood sensation The Rock remains a candidate to re-ignite his stranded in-ring career by kindling a feud with Brock Lesnar that has often been talked about before.
Whatever the outcome, whoever interferes, one thing remains the same. Brock Lesnar needs victory more than The Undertaker because if not, his two-year reign of dominance could be wiped out in front of our very eyes.
Whether you wanted the former WWE champion to emerge victorious at WrestleMania 30 or not—it will still remain in the history books as Brock Lesnar ended The Streak— and well over a year on from that defeat to the man who was famously conquered at the "Show of Shows" could not only revenge but crush his reign of dominance; leaving WWE scratching their heads questioning why they ever ended The Streak in the first place.
On the other hand, the company have unquestionable faith in Lesnar to remain one of their biggest draws and money-makers, as following on from his shocking win at WrestleMania, he returned and dismantled the face of WWE John Cena to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship; cementing his place as one of the most accomplished superstars of all time who was set for his biggest and greatest ever year in the company.
The Beast Incarnate successfully shut out another Cena title reign by retaining at Night of Champions, and then returned to the Royal Rumble where he toppled the former champion himself and Seth Rollins in a match of the year contender. Then, his reign as champion, but not an unstoppable beast, came to end at the hands of Seth Rollins who produced another shocking WrestleMania moment; cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Despite the decision to put the title on Rollins leaving the WWE Universe split in groups of elation and sourness—one thing remained intact—Brock Lesnar's status as one of the company's most unstoppable monster on the roster. He lost the championship, but never took the pinfall for it; sending the fans home with a new champion but also a beast who was "robbed" out of his title and undoubtedly set to return months later and bid to win it back.
He would return a few weeks prior to Battleground and set his sights on the man who executed heist of the year, Seth Rollins, but the shocking return of The Undertaker would allow the champion to retreat with his title and rekindle the feud Lesnar and Undertaker had in early 2014.
It leaves WWE in a strenuous, awkward decision—continue The Beast's rampant run in the company or allow The Undertaker to truly ignite his career—inflicting painful revenge on the man who ended the most decorated streak in sports entertainment history.
Many fans have already discharged their strong opinions on who should emerge victorious at the biggest event of the summer, but Lesnar still remains the man with the greater amount to lose. Ever since his loss to Triple H at WrestleMania, not a single superstar has been able to solidify themselves as an almighty force by pinning/submitting Lesnar and defeat at SummerSlam will instantly backpedal him to the position two years ago where his long road to becoming WWE's most unstoppable beast began.
Although many feel the SummerSlam main event should culminate with a clear victor, outside interference could ultimately favour both Lesnar and Undertaker as the former survives a devastating blow to his beastly status, and the latter doesn't fall victim again; keeping his over 20-year career alive.
Sting has been one superstar heavily rumoured with a mouth-watering feud with The Undertaker, and a shock interference from the man who made his WWE debut at WrestleMania should not be brushed under the carpet of "not going to happen or "WWE aren't creative enough for that". It's a strong possibility.
If he does cost Undertaker his rematch against Lesnar, the general feeling backstage foresees a half-year build up to their possible showdown at WrestleMania 32, located in The Deadman's hometown of Texas.
However, Sting isn't the only part-timer rumoured to gatecrash SummerSlam, as Hollywood sensation The Rock remains a candidate to re-ignite his stranded in-ring career by kindling a feud with Brock Lesnar that has often been talked about before.
Whatever the outcome, whoever interferes, one thing remains the same. Brock Lesnar needs victory more than The Undertaker because if not, his two-year reign of dominance could be wiped out in front of our very eyes.
However, Sting isn't the only part-timer rumoured to gatecrash SummerSlam, as Hollywood sensation The Rock remains a candidate to re- ignite his stranded in-ring career by kindling a feud with Brock Lesnar that has often been talked about before.
Whatever the outcome, whoever interferes, one thing remains the same. Brock Lesnar needs victory more than The Undertaker because if not, his two-year reign of dominance could be wiped out in front of our very eyes.
More: SummerSlam predictions
Comment: 10 things to expect
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