The Undertaker will likely retire at Wrestlemania 32 after a career that involved thousands of matches over his three-plus decade career, but only five in past five years. However, given that three of these matches were match of the year contenders (two matches versus Triple H and one with CM Punk) and one match altered the course of wrestling history (Brock ending the streak at Wrestlemania XXX), he easily eclipsed the earning potential of wrestling in many matches with his work in only one performance. In truly proving that less isn't more, but most, he's set a standard for "The Beast" to emulate. Brock Lesnar has appeared in ten matches in the past three years in World Wrestling Entertainment. None of those matches has been on broadcast television. Intriguingly enough, given Lesnar's current contract, it's entirely plausible that it'll take five more years to get Lesnar into the ring to match that ten-match total. Similarly, none of those matches should be expected on TV that's not "pay-per-view," either. Brock Lesnar has eclipsed The Undertaker and is swiftly moving towards Andre the Giant's level in being the ultimate "special attraction" draw. Dissimilar to Andre, though, Lesnar has Paul Heyman on television cutting incredible promos to keep his drawing power and intrigue level high in this role. A Wrestlemania main event level player for the foreseeable future, having a guaranteed big event arena filler and perpetual merchandise mover who is exclusive to your roster is an incredible asset for WWE.
Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
