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Throughout the WrestleMania undefeated streak of The Undertaker, a few men refused to be the one to end it. There were a few that stood across the ring from The Undertaker that refused to break his streak. On this past week's episode of Friday Night Smackdown, the talent came out to pay honor to The Deadman. It was only five days removed from the final Chapter in the Last Ride documentary series presented by the WWE Network.
One of the most significant talking points about The Undertaker was his WrestleMania winning streak. It was a streak that many thought would remain intact until he retired. While The Streak eventually came to an end, it should also be noted that many refused to be 'the one'.
For everyone that is rumored, there are several that didn't want that responsibility to have to be the one that ended The Undertaker's undefeated streak and refused to end it. Who were they and why didn't think they should have been the ones to end it, if at all.
#5 Brock Lesnar
This will likely surprise many by even reading the title. For example, when seeing the name listed, the obvious answer would be, 'but he did break the streak'. While that is true and we aren't disputing that. What should be recognized was that he was among the few that didn't want to be the one to break the streak. The relationship between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker behind the scenes has long been recognized. Their mutual respect for Mixed Martial Arts notwithstanding, they likely carry similar values that go beyond wrestling.
What should be noted here was that while the two men continued to battle, there was something about Lesnar that made him 'the one' to end The Undertaker's undefeated streak. Whether it was his size, strength or even sheer presence, Brock Lesnar was ultimately made the one to be called upon to end the WrestleMania undefeated streak of The Undertaker, and it could have ended earlier in 2011 as per reports.
Their relationship shares a great deal about how much a win would mean. Regardless of who's decision it was, there weren't plans originally to have Lesnar end it on this evening. However, as many are aware, Lesnar did ultimately end it. Each time after this there was no retribution for The Undertaker as he continued to lose to Brock Lesnar regardless of the event and type of match.
#4 Edge
Edge was rumored to break the WrestleMania streak of The Undertaker. But he didn't. However, it wasn't even him stating it publicly but rather the wife of The Undertaker that recalls it even being part of a discussion.
"Actually I remember a few years prior that WrestleMania (24) versus Edge they talked about Edge breaking the streak and it was Edge that was actually like, ‘That makes zero sense. I don’t want to do that. Why would I do that? The fans already love him. What’s it gonna do for Edge?’ It was Edge that went to bat for the streak. I know they had talked about it prior to the match with Brock, but you know it happened. It’s fine, it’s not like it’s an end-all, be-all for Mark by any stretch of the imagination … that’s the only other time that I’d heard about it [the Edge match]. But (it ending) definitely made for some good memes for years to come (Laughs). People’s faces for sure.” - Michelle McCool via New York Post
Edge said that The Streak became as important as a title match on WrestleMania. He also revealed that Roman Reigns should have been the guy to end The Streak.
#3 Mark Henry
Another man that was rumored to end the WrestleMania undefeated streak of The Undertaker but would have refused had he been asked was WWE Hall of Famer, Mark Henry. In an interview with Heavy, Henry stated
“It was close. And there was some conversation about me being the one to break the streak. And if they would’ve asked me, I would’ve been like hell no! I don’t want to carry that weight (laughs)."
It is understandable the amount of pressure someone would face to be asked to carry that as your achievement.
Regardless of what someone does past or present, a loss to The Undertaker would have raised even greater expectations for the leader of the Hall of Pain. Henry has long had a respect for The Undertaker even after his career came to an end.
To see the lasting legacy that The Undertaker has left on other Hall of Famers is a credit to his body of work. Henry and Taker's WrestleMania match was a moment that neither man will likely ever forget. The respect they have for one another is clearly evident.
#2 Randy Orton
While at one time he ran with the moniker of Legend Killer, there was one legend he refused to kill the WrestleMania streak of The Undertaker. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Randy Orton said the following.
"You asked about me versus Taker, that was WrestleMania 21 in Los Angeles, I was 25, my birthday always falls around the show, so I’m a kid, I’m a greenhorn, I grew up in the business but now I’m in a match in the biggest show you can be at, participate in as a professional wrestler, as a WWE Superstar, and I’m facing in a singles match the most legendary character that’s ever graced our presence – with maybe a few exceptions. I was nervous, but I also knew I was in good hands. We went out there, we killed it, I reversed the chokeslam into the RKO, everybody bought it, he beat my ass and that was it. He picked up another win at ‘Mania and rightfully so because I think the WrestleMania brand and Undertaker go hand in hand. I think a lot of that had to do with the streak so I’ll never think that was the right thing to do, for him to pick up that loss....
While he doesn't suggest that he was rumored he also believes The Streak shouldn't have ended regardless of whom the competitor was he was facing.
Randy Orton's respect for the The Undertaker is clearly evident.
#1 Kurt Angle
One of the more interesting names that refused to break the WrestleMania streak of The Undertaker is from that of another WWE Hall of Famer.
In what was likely before 2012, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle revealed the following statement about how he was also approached with breaking The Streak via WrestleCast via The Sun in the UK
"I was champion in 2006 and Undertaker approached me and said he wanted to face me at WrestleMania. Until then, Undertaker didn’t have a WrestleMania moment with a five-star match. He thought he could have that with me, and he was considering possibly losing as long as he had that moment he wanted, and I don’t blame him. Vince said no way, and I agreed with Vince. I don’t think Undertaker should ever have lost at WrestleMania, I think he should have been undefeated forever. They made their choice, and if you’re going to do it with anybody, do it with Brock Lesnar, because he’s as legit as it gets. Me and Undertaker ended up having our match at No Way Out 2006. If you ever see that match, it was definitely a WrestleMania type of match."
Kurt Angle never broke the Undertaker's streak but it would have certainly been a match that would have been worth seeing.
