WWE Super Showdown: Past and present collide


The WWE heads to Australia for a super-show, with current and former superstars headlining this showdown. Super.

How would you like your lasting in-ring image and impression of your favorite WWE superstar to live on in your memory?

Is it their dominance during their heyday? Nailing their finisher? Chugging beers?

For many, especially in the wide, wide world of wrestling, the image is one of the wrestler going out on top in a final, epic match for the ages. Or perhaps it's their favorite wrestler receiving one final ovation -- even if they lost the match -- from an arena of caring fans.

Ideal scenarios, for sure, but most of us are well aware that's usually not the case when it comes to the business of the WWE.

On the business side of things, the WWE wants to make money and capitalize on a wrestler's popularity. And with this huge event in Australia, by using favorites from the Attitude Era The Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Kane, that's exactly what the WWE is doing.

Yes, Triple H and Kane have been still ever-present in story lines the last few years (though one can imagine these are the last of Kane's appearances until his mayoral duties end).

Shawn Michaels, the man ultimately retired by The Undertaker at Wrestlemania in 2010, has made a few appearances on RAW over the last month. He's now in Triple H's corner at the Super Show-Down and will likely be involved in the outcome.

And this is a man who had performed a few of his signature moves over the last eight years, but has held true to the word of staying retired. Until now.


Triple H's opponent, of course, is the man who retired "The Heartbreak Kid".

In what is being billed as the final time they face each other, Triple H will take on The Undertaker, a wrestler who many believed to be calling it a career a few years back at Wrestlemania 33.

'Taker lost that match to Roman Reigns and after the match -- in what was seen as a passing of the torch -- left pieces of his wrestling gear in the ring. He walked off to one of the longest ovations in recent memory and all signs pointed to the finality of his career.

It wasn't.

Don't get me wrong. I still get chills every time those chimes hit and the arena goes dark. But perhaps it's time for The Undertaker and others to officially pass the torch and retire from full-on matches. It's still perfectly fine to bring back these stars from time-to-time, let them pull off a signature move, get a pop and move on. Who doesn't like seeing sweet chin music? Or a Stone-Cold Stunner? Or even the occasional appearance from Mr. Socko? And let's not forget any appearance by the Nature Boy.

It really is a conundrum perfectly captured in the movie The Wrestler. There's a desire and need to perform, even if your body is broken and is telling you otherwise.

Sometimes it's all these wrestlers know how to do and I can't imagine having to give up something like performing in front of millions.

The thrill, the excitement, and the joy of being in the squared circle pulls at these performers like no other. Let's hope it doesn't ruin the last great image we have of these men and the match in Australia gives us one more wild-ride.

Best of the rest

The battle of aging superstars is far from the only story going on in Australia.

Nine other matches are on the docket, with plenty at stake. 

The Shield vs Braun/Dolph/Drew: Does Dean Ambrose turn on his stable mates? Or do the brothers rise above?


A.J. Styles vs Samoa Joe: It's time to give Samoa Joe the title, no matter how creepy this story line has been.



Daniel Bryan vs The Miz: This is for the right to be number one contender. I can see The Miz winning, eventually earning the belt and facing off at Wrestlemania against Bryan for the title.



Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair: This is number one on my list. All in for Becky Lynch.



John Cena/Bobby Lashley vs Kevin Owens/Elias: Speaking of part-timers, Cena makes his first appearance in month. And speaking of being all-in for something, this KO and Elias friendship is simply on fire.



The IIconics vs Asuka & Naomi: A little bit of love for Australia's very own Ilconics.



New Day vs The Bar: A battle for the Smackdown tag titles.



Ronda Rousey & The Bellas vs The Riott Squad: Okay.



Cedric Alexander vs Buddy Murphy: Alexander has been champion for awhile now. Do we finally see a Cruiserweight title change?

What matches are you looking forward to? Will you be watching the Super Showdown? Should the WWE bring back Truth TV?

photo credit: en.wikipedia.org
Learn more about Jason over at jason-haskins.com




Comments