Pope Resigns: Vows to End Undertaker's Streak at Wrestlemania 29

As his papacy entered its final hours, Pope Benedict XVI admitted on Wednesday, Feb 27th, that his eight-year spell as head of the Roman Catholic church had had its "difficult moments." Benedict stressed that although he was resigning for lack of strength, his ties to the church would remain. "I do not abandon the cross, but remain in a new way near to the crucified Lord," he said, adding in separate remarks in English: "...I ask each of you to pray for strength, specifically on April 7th" It's of no coincidence that days after his remark, The Undertaker makes his return to RAW.  

Monday Night Raw, Buffalo, NY.

Making his first appearance in months, the Undertaker stood motionless, knowing what shall pass.

This not-so cryptic message is a means of amalgamating his troubles not only within the Catholic Church scandals, but more importantly his holy war with the Phenom. Taker's presence on Monday Night brought on an apparent challenge that ended in a Fatal 4-Way among Randy Orton, Big Show, Sheamus, and CM Punk. Though Punk came out the victor, he's no match for "(The Man They Call)Vicar."

Practicing his grappling.

 In a very personal homily, which differed in tone from his usual Wednesday messages, Benedict recalled that when he agreed to become pope on 19 April 2005 he felt the calling placed "a great burden" on his shoulders. A burden he wants to bury. But insiders have known for years that this ultimate battle of good versus evil has been spilling over into the mainstream for years now.

 

 

Signs of The Pope's spiritual warfare were foreshadowed. In September, 2011, news from several different sources,independent from each other led suspect when he analytically considered the possibility of his resignation in his book interview with Peter Seevald. He explained that it would not have been comprehensible while the Church was in the middle of a storm. A month later, Vatileaks exploded. Sources say things were expediated when one of  the exposed documents revealed to be an email sent anonymously from the Vatican to the U.S College of Cardinals confirming the rumors of Undertaker's last Wrestlemania on LordsofPain.net.

And those who paid close attention knew Benedict wasn't so shy with his love for the ring.

XVI at XXVIII.



Pope Benedict finds his seat at Raw. Oct 10, 2009 

Shortly after being sequestered, Pope Benedict acknowledges, almost blatantly,  the eight years that followed, he said, had had moments "of joy and light" but also of difficulty. His papacy was marred by the unfolding clerical abuse scandal in Europe and the United States, as well as obsessed with the "Streak". WWE fans recognize this phenominon as the coveted number of wins held at Wrestlmania by Taker. Close friends to His Holiness noted that as the years continued, and Undertaker continued to go undefeated, Benedict grew abundantly concerned at the omnipitence. Rumors, dating as far back as 2009, claim Pope Benedict would temp fate and tangle with Taker sometime in 2010, as possible means of excorcism.  But the storyline got botched to the point where talks began of even pursuing a tag team brawl, pinning The Taker and Pope Benedict together against DX. Thankfully, Shawn Michaels was re-written into the storyline to fight Undertaker a second time at Wrestlemania XXVI.

"The God Couple" never released promos.



With manager Cardinal Pell 

Pope Benedict is expected to make one last public appearance as pope before becoming, instead, "emeritus pope", as he will be styled. Some also speculate this to be his ring name. (Other working aliases include Big Papal Pump, Benedict 3:16, and Rowdy Roddy Poper.)


 Will this be Taker's last Wrestlmania? Will "The Best Patriarch in the West" end the streak? One things for certain- someone's prayers will be answered! God help us all.


Arch Nemesis meet in ArchDiocese of Newark.

Prediction: Undertaker goes 21-0.

This post is dedicated to the memory of Bill Moody. RIP Paul Bearer.