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The Biggest Party of the Summer is merely weeks away and several storylines have begun taking shape as we move towards the event. This Sunday, The Undertaker will team up with Roman Reigns to take on the dastardly duo of Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre.
The Deadman returned to WWE a couple of weeks ago to assist The Big Dog Roman Reigns, who was being beaten up by McIntyre and Shane on Raw. Rumors had begun flying around stating that Undertaker would be taking on Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam.
Now, it's being reported that WWE isn't planning this match and The Phenom's role for the PPV is still up in the air. Let's take a look at 5 potential opponents for The Undertaker at SummerSlam if he isn't facing The Scottish Psychopath.
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#5 Samoa Joe
This Sunday at Extreme Rules, Samoa Joe is all set to face Kofi Kingston for his WWE Title. Kingston has somehow managed to keep the belt on his waist, ever since he won the same at WrestleMania 35. Many are of the opinion that Joe will walk out with the WWE Title on Sunday. This is something longtime fans of Joe have been waiting for a while.
Let Joe win the WWE Title, come out on the upcoming episode of SmackDown Live, and state that he has waited for this moment for too long, and is on a quest to brutalize anyone who comes in his path. Suddenly, the gong goes off and Taker appears. Fresh off a win against Shane and McIntyre, he says that he's still got it, and Joe will have to go through him if he wants to reign over the blue show, that The Undertaker made into what it is today.
Of course, Joe wins the eventual match and gets a huge rub in the process, something he severely needs after being an afterthought for years.
#4 Matt Riddle
Although a pretty strange choice, this could actually work if handled correctly. It was reported a while ago that Brock Lesnar wants to retire at WrestleMania 36. Matt Riddle has repeatedly said that he wants to retire The Beast. If Lesnar is indeed retiring next year, another legit MMA fighter would be an incredible choice as his opponent. Besides, Riddle is a chock full of charisma.
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For this to happen, he needs to be put on the map starting right now, and what could be a better way for him to make a mark on the main roster than by putting down The Phenom at SummerSlam? Taker's health is going downhill with each passing day, to the point that WWE didn't bother giving him a program for WrestleMania 35. Let The Deadman give Riddle a big rub so that he could become a legit threat to Lesnar for next year's WrestleMania, in Brock's supposed final match.
#3 Aleister Black
Although the size difference between Undertaker and Aleister Black is startling, this hasn't stopped the WWE Universe from clamoring for a match between the two Superstars, and for good reason too! Black is an incredibly intriguing, mysterious being, with an entrance that immediately reminds one of The Deadman.
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Black's dark persona is stunningly similar to that of The Phenom. This has become somewhat of a dream encounter for many, and it should happen before it's too late and Taker hangs up his boots for good. Black should defeat Cesaro and start talking about wanting a better challenger. Imagine the pop that would be heard in the area if it goes dark and the gong goes off! Black is an excellent storyteller inside the squared circle and is someone who could possibly get a good match out of The Undertaker, who hasn't had many of those in the past few years.
#2 AJ Styles
Yes, this match is worthy of taking place at a WrestleMania, but one should remember that Taker didn't appear at this year's event. There's no telling whether we will see him at WrestleMania 36. AJ Styles is one of the greatest Superstars of this generation and has had a decorated career that spanned over several years and promotions. Now, he has turned heel and reformed the Club.
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What better way for Styles to make a big statement than to take on The Undertaker in one of the biggest PPVs of the year, and defeat him in the process? The Club is bound to interfere, leading to Styles gaining a major victory over Taker. A win like this could help The Club become a dominant faction in the coming months. Additionally, we'll finally get to see Styles take on The Undertaker.
#1 Bray Wyatt
6 years ago, Bray Wyatt made his way up to the main roster by attacking Kane and eventually defeating him at SummerSlam. Wyatt's second coming as "The Fiend" could be given a poetic twist. His return could see him challenge The Undertaker for a match at SummerSlam, in what Wyatt would dub as his revenge for the defeat at WrestleMania 31.
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Wyatt has 'forgiven' several WWE wrestlers over the past couple of months, but hasn't done the same with The Deadman. He could come out and state that Taker's sins were unforgivable and that he needs to be punished for committing them. Bray's return will mimic his 2013 debut at SummerSlam, and his new character will benefit a great deal if he ends up defeating The Undertaker in a clean manner. This could be acted out as a "passing of the torch" moment, with Wyatt putting down Taker for good.
