The Undertaker to Win Title at Breaking Point?
The Anaconda Vice vs. The Devil's Triangle
On paper, this is a very interesting match. CM Punk and The Undertaker have two unique, but, actually, very complementary in-ring styles. Both take cues from mixed martial arts (MMA), ground-and-pound style brawling, and (most importantly, in this case) submission wrestling. Taker is a legend to end all legends, with years of experience in the main event. Punk has, from his end, had a great WWE career thus far, with three World Heavyweight Titles highlighting a relatively brief run which has also featured two Money in the Bank wins, an Intercontinental Championship, and a tag team title run. The Undertaker's career has been nothing short of epic and barely needs to be recounted. Experience isn't everything in this case, but the advantage is still clearly with the veteran for other reasons. In an industry where very few things are certain, the very announcement of this match is the closest thing to a sure thing to a championship title switch as WWE could announce.
Not a Spoiler, But Close: A "Big Gold Belt" Switch is on the Way
Those who have watched WWE closely for the past couple of decades know a few things:
1) Fans still love Howard Finkel.
2) If a gimmick has existed, you will see it again with 10-15 years on at least one wrestler.
3) The Undertaker does NOT tap out.
In his entire career with WWE - at this point, about 20 years strong - the Dead Man has never officially submitted. He has passed out, and he did once tap against Kurt Angle (while simultaneously pinning the Olympic Champ, causing a "no contest"), but nothing is recorded in the annals of official WWE history, if there is such a tome. Why should CM Punk, a brash, opportunistic, and sometimes cowardly heel be the man to make history? Furthermore, why would this happen in Taker's first bout back after a Match of the Year calibur win over Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania? Talk about a mood killer!
Let's look at the facts:
Can Punk's Anaconda Vice Put Taker to Sleep?
Most likely not. This move, while very effective, hasn't been used regularly in a couple years. Punk is no longer an established submissions expert, despite his propensity for the style and his use of it in Ring of Honor and other independent feds. His submission victory over Matt Hardy on the most recent edition of Smackdown was his first high profile submission win since he was a member of the ECW brand's roster.
Punk might be able to slip the headlock variation on "Big Evil," but don't expect him to put the Phenom away with it. Taker isn't one to tap out, and his sheer size and strength will prevent the "Straight Edge Superstar" from rendering him unconscious with the hold.
Hell's Gate, The Devil's Triangle, Gogoplata, Etc. is a Proven Killer
Undertaker's submission hold - a variation on a triangle choke - is a proven winner. The Dead Man has won pay-per-view bouts and countless high profile contests on Smackdown with it. Although the move was banned by Vickie Guerrero last year, she is no longer with WWE, and the gogoplata should be returning to take care of CM Punk tonight. Once it's locked in, and with no possibility of countering the hold into a pin in a "submissions-only" match, Punk's third World Title reign will be done for.
Booking Into a Corner
Now, with the intrigue created by a pay-per-view, such as Breaking Point, which includes a certain number of a specific type of stipulation matches, there also comes some problems. One particular booking issue is endemic to submission matches: how can every wrestler look strong when several of them have to submit by the night's end? The advantage, in these types of matches, always goes to the fan favorite. After all, the fan favorite is the courageous hero, while the bad guy often has to resort to cheating to win matches. Fans don't want to see the hero go down in flames and, if he does, he ceases to be a hero at all. The Undertaker needs this win, and he will get it.
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