To belt, or not belt: that is the question, now that the man is back to wrestling (nice to see ya again, Big T).  It hovers in the air like Hamlet's dagger.  Is the time to act now or should WWE wait for a more opportune moment?  My judgment weighs in solidly for the former.

Its been rumored that Taker has been promised a long title reign and indeed, it is difficult to argue that there is anyone more deserving of one.  It would be poetic justice to see him get it before he retires.  Over the last three years, he's returned from injuries or surgery in the fall and chased the title through to spring, winning it twice at Wrestlemania.  All three years, he's ended up needing time off shortly thereafter, forcing his title runs to be cut short.  Its not surprising that the long, hard schedule for the fall takes its toll.  So why not give the title to him earlier, and let him keep it through Wrestlemania. For one thing, it would add a twist to the Streak question, since if Taker aready has the title, WM becomes about keeping it, instead of winning it, which we've now seen a few times in succession.  Secondly, it gives Taker a better chance to keep the title for a period of time. 

I disagree w/ the idea that he's more engaging when he's chasing the belt. Frankly, my dear Polonius, he's da*n compelling whatever he's doing.  I think Creative has come up with more intense, polarizing storylines when he's chasing the belt, but maybe they should toddle over to Walmart, get some Inspiration (On sale this week! Come on, down!) and come up with an entertaining scenario for someone gunning after Taker.  Punk is a perfect candidate for that type of storyline: he's an up and comer, he has a style that's distincitve and more technical, as well as one Taker hasn't dealt with much recently.  The idea of a martial artist-type challenger to Taker is something WWE hasn't explored in  awhile, but with Taker's previous incorporation of MMA moves in his arsenal, the ground work is already in place for a chess-match type feud that focuses more on ability than mind games or politics.

I'm not necessarily thinking that Taker should win at Breaking Point. There hasn't been sufficient time to really build up any intensity to the rivalry yet. I'd like to see Punk retain without Taker submitting.  Despite my previous assertions that I hate DQ's, one would do nicely here.  I'd like to see Taker get belted by Armageddon at the latest, though. In a world where, as Hamlet notes, little is certain, the smart play (NPI!!) is to give Taker the belt now, while he's healthiest.  While his career would lose no gloss by not having a long title run at its culmination, to deny him that respect would certainly be a tradgedy.

(c) B.E. 2009