WrestleMania 33: The Undertaker likely to be retired by Roman Reigns

The Undertaker is likely to bow out of sports entertainment after a potential defeat to rising superstar Roman Reigns in the main event of April's WrestleMania 33 at Orlando, Florida, per fresh reports. While the 51-year-old is yet to announce his future plans, several reports claim that he will undergo a career-ending hip surgery after WWE's showpiece event on Apr. 2.

The rumoured "passing-of-the-torch" match between Undertaker and Reigns was set up at the Royal Rumble when the latter entered the battle royal at No. 30 before eliminating the Deadman from the squared circle. After eliminating the Undertaker, Reigns stared down the WWE legend before exclaiming "this is my yard, now".

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE boss Vince McMahon pencilled in the Taker-Reigns match after nixing an Undertaker vs John Cena match. “Vince McMahon had been wanting to make this match for some time…and that...with Undertaker’s condition (injured hip) the way it is, this could have been the last chance to do it. There is the idea of a generational passing of the torch.”

WrestleMania 33: The Undertaker calling it a day?

The report added that The Undertaker has been "putting off" a hip replacement surgery until his retirement match which could take place at WrestleMania 33. Flickering the Myth argues that the Phenom could still return for one more WrestleMania. "If he’s (The Undertaker) in that much pain now, you’d think he’d want the surgery relatively soon, which would possibly make this year’s Wrestlemania his last. But, just as a disclaimer, people saying ‘this’ll be Taker’s last Mania’ has been proven wrong even more times than people saying TNA only has one year left".

According to Fox Sports, there's a strong notion that Roman Reigns will complete his long-awaited heel turn at WrestleMania 33 and retire The Undertaker in the process. While this decision could trigger a backlash from the fans, Reigns would benefit from ending the career of an all-time great. "Look, it’s no secret that Vince McMahon wants Reigns as his next poster boy. If you’re going to “pass the torch” to “your guy”, Vince … this has to be the match to do it. That means no more Deadman after this."

The Undertaker was reportedly scheduled to face John Cena in a similar retirement match at last year's WrestleMania until the latter was ruled out due to an injury. However, those plans changed rapidly and The Undertaker faced Shane McMahon in a hell-in-the-cell match at last year's showpiece event. Stay tuned for the latest updates on WrestleMania 33.