5 reasons why AJ Styles should retire The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36

WWE Super ShowDown 2020 had its fair share of shocking moments, one of which came quite early in the show. It was the Gauntlet Match that saw the return of The Undertaker who made a surprise entrance after replacing Rey Mysterio in the match.

AJ Styles pinned R-Truth and was one victory away from winning the Tuwaiq trophy. Mysterio was supposed to come in next but he didn’t show up. It was later revealed that he was brutalized by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallow backstage. Back to the ring, Styles was counting down towards his victory and was desperate for the bell ring. Well, it did, but just not the one that he wanted to hear.

The Undertaker attacked both Anderson and Gallows before he made way to the squared circle. Without even breaking a sweat, The Phenom delivered a chokeslam and pinned Styles to win the Tuwaiq trophy. And he didn’t even have to remove his coat or his hat!

This turn of events marked the beginning of a feud between AJ Styles and The Undertaker. This storyline is expected to witness its final battle at WrestleMania 36. While it certainly accounts for a dream match, it also sets up the best possible scenario for The Phenom to bid adieu to in-ring action. The ‘Phenomenal One’ could very well be the one whom The Undertaker will face for the final time.

In this article, we will take a look at five reasons why AJ Styles should retire The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36.

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#5 AJ Styles is the right man for the job

No one else can be a safer opponent for The Undertaker

AJ Styles is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world and the ‘Phenomenal One’ has proven that on more than one occasion. Naturally, he appears to be the best choice from a roster that features the likes of Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.

Both Lesnar and Reigns have defeated ‘Taker at WrestleMania and both faced massive backlash from the fans. The ‘Beast Incarnate’ broke The Deadman’s iconic streak in a match that changed the world of pro-wrestling forever. The ‘Big Dog’ defeated The Phenom and was booed for 15 minutes straight. There will be no point in having either of these two Superstars pull something similar again.

The Fiend doesn’t need a win over The Undertaker to get over with the crowd and Aleister Black, who could have been a good option for the job, hasn’t built that much credibility for himself ever since he arrived on the main roster.

AJ Styles, however, is someone who has established himself as one of the best performers to have graced the ring. He may be booed as a heel, but he is still admired by the WWE Universe.

It is not difficult for him to get the crowd behind him. If he ends up retiring The Undertaker, he will gain a lot of heat from the fans but will also accomplish a huge task – something that the WWE fans forgive, but only after a while. And it’s only the ‘Phenomenal One’ who can turn that much hostility into support over time.

#4 A historical dream match to end an epic storyline

This can be an entertaining feud with a memorable conclusion!

Ever since AJ Styles reunited with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, the trio has been brilliant in portraying themselves as the top heels of the company. They even tasted a little success but they have been good entertainers with or without the gold. Having said that, it is evident that haven’t been booked up to their potential as most storylines involving them are dropped right when it starts getting serious.

However, the same can’t happen when Styles will be involved in a feud with The Undertaker. The two are headed towards an epic dream match at the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’ that will see a future legend take on an eternal one. The WWE creatives have the perfect opportunity to carry a highly entertaining storyline that will bring two extremely opposite characters into the ring together.

We rarely see The Phenom speak, but he doesn’t refrain himself from warning his opponents. It would be interesting to see how he tackles the normal nuances pulled by The OC.

It is safe to assume that the storyline will see Anderson and Gallows being involved in the build-up as that would strengthen The Undertaker’s position or even prompt Kane to return and assist his kayfabe bloodline. Ultimately, every altercation will be worth it when they meet in at WrestleMania in a match that will be remembered for ages.

#3 The Undertaker ends his career on a high note

AJ Styles can help make The Undertaker look stronger

As mentioned before, The OC are playing their role to perfection when it comes to being a heel. A feud with The Undertaker will only push them further up the ranks on the WWE roster. But most importantly, it will ensure that The Deadman will be on the right side of the story in the final feud of his illustrious career. In the process, he will also have several chances to showcase a more ‘badass’ aspect of his personality without having to do much.

One of the biggest advantages of facing Styles at WrestleMania is the fact that the latter will do everything he can to ensure that the bout looks great. He is a phenomenal worker inside the squared circle and is one of the safest opponents which makes him the perfect guy to work with an aging Undertaker at the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’. He can take a lot of responsibility in the match and deliver on them without making The Phenom look weak at any point.

If you see The Undertaker’s previous losses, it is evident that the fans were never pleased with the result but they appeared to dislike the match even more. That’s one thing that the creatives can avoid by booking a legendary Superstar against one of the finest performers in today’s pro-wrestling. It will allow The Deadman to deliver a heartfelt performance but in a safer environment, something that the WWE Universe can get on board with.

#2 It will allow the room for the growth of other iconic characters

Another legend in the making?

There aren’t enough words to describe the influence of The Undertaker over the pro-wrestling industry. He is one of the most iconic characters in the history of this business and will always be cherished by the wrestling fans for his incredible legacy. There is no denying that someone like The Undertaker can never be replaced.

Despite that, every mystical character is always compared with The Deadman. While that may seem like a common thing, it makes a much bigger impact when he is around. Hasty judgments and constant comparisons from the audience between emerging characters and ‘Taker’s unparalleled charisma often ends up taking its toll on promising talents.

With the change in time, it is now important for WWE to allow The Undertaker to bid his farewell. That’s the only shot that they will have at creating another character as compelling as him. The likes of The Fiend and Aleister Black have that kind of potential which can see them taste similar success. If WWE play their cards right, they can create something truly fresh and iconic yet again once Styles sets up a perfect retirement for The Undertaker.

#1 The Undertaker’s career deserves a respectful end

The Undertaker deserves a farewell as good as his career

The cruelest irony of pro-wrestling business is the fact that no matter how great you once were, you are not the strongest in your last battle. This is probably the biggest reason why AJ Styles should be the one who makes The Undertaker hang his boots. We have all fallen for The Deadman’s ‘retirement’ and we have all seen him wrestle time and time again after that. While his arrival creates excitement, watching him inside the ring tends to scare the fans more than it entertains.

The Undertaker has been a hero for a very large section of the fans who have seen him put great performances one after another, consistently for the most part of their lives. This makes it all the more difficult to see him struggle before simple antics when he is competing inside the ring. He has started to look weak which is not what you like to see, not when it starts happening frequently.

The Undertaker, for all that he has done, deserves a comfortable retirement from the business. He has done everything there is to do for WWE and his loyalty towards the company is unmatched. He constantly helps in putting over the younger talent and hesitates in putting his body on the line. But he has done it day in and day out for several years and he has earned the right to say goodbye at this point in his life.

Sure, AJ Styles will get heat from the fans if he retires The Undertaker but that won’t last for long. In fact, it is better than having The Phenom continue wrestling until one day, fans slowly start turning on him. It would be criminal to have his legacy ruined like that and the ‘Phenomenal One’ has the opportunity to script the perfect to the tale of one of the greatest wrestlers that ever lived.

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