The name “Undertaker” is as synonymous with WrestleMania as the grandeur the event is known for. There is no other performer in the history of sports entertainment who has been as brilliant on the biggest stage as the Deadman.
His winning streak at WrestleMania was so incredible that it is referred to as “The Streak” in the wrestling world. It is very doubtful that such a feat will ever be duplicated in the history of the WWE. With a winning streak as illustrious as The Undertaker’s one might expect a great number of classic matches to pick the top few from.
Though Taker’s status as “The Phenom” of WWE is rightfully earned, The Deadman was not a great wrestler in the early part of his career. He was an average wrestler at best in those early days. But later, as experience kicked in, he delivered one memorable bout after another. Here is a list of his greatest matches from WrestleMania.
7. Kane vs The Undertaker, WrestleMania 14
For a match that was dated far back in Taker’s career, this one was an unexpected gem. The storyline is still to date one of the best of The Phenom’s career. The fight itself did not have much in the wrestling bit of the action.
This fight was more of a slugfest between two monsters. But what made it special was Kane kicking out of not one, but two Tombstones. It was the first time someone has ever kicked out of a Tombstone.
With Kane Kicking out of the Tombstone, many of the fans thought that The Big Red Machine would topple his older brother. But Undertaker put an end to all the fantasies by delivering a third Tombstone and pinning The Big Red Machine.
6. Batista vs The Undertaker, WrestleMania 23
At WrestleMania 23, The Animal and The Deadman clashed against each other. This bout was one of non-stop action as the both the wrestlers fought back-and-forth. The chemistry they exhibited was as rare as Triple H and The Rock’s, which made this battle all the more special.
The action tended to be more based on the power side, which suited both wrestlers fine. Unlike most of Taker’s matches, this one had little in the way of finesse as the wrestlers delivered power-packed moves that brought the audience to the edge of their seats.
Without a doubt, this match is one of the best in Batista’s career. And it was also the beginning of The Deadman’s string of great performances on the grandest stage.
5. Edge vs The Undertaker, WrestleMania 24
The next year, The Undertaker and Edge produced another gem that could be called undoubtedly as one of the classics. Unlike the previous year’s match, this match centered mostly on finesse and counters. This is the match that established that Taker can work out a great match without many power moves.
Taker and Edge traded control of the match back-and-forth until Taker emerged victorious. Edge for his part was the most cunning, opportunistic and ruthless opponent Taker had faced in his career.
Edge’s desire for gold was etched plainly on his face as he battled The Phenom is an unbelievably classic match that had fans on the edge of their seats for a long time.
4. Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker, WrestleMania 30
That unbelievable moment, the moment that the illustrious streak was conquered by The Beast, Brock Lesnar, was a moment no wrestling fan could forget. That one single moment would have earned the bout a place in this list.
The fight in itself was spectacular which earned it a rank this high up on this list. The battle had all the dramatic high points one would expect from a WrestleMania match. Taker with his aging body took the mighty punishment Brock Lesnar usually delivers his opponents.
As the fight progressed on, Taker mounted a comeback that had fans rooting for him at every turn. Both the performers had the audience enchanted as they delivered a powerful performance that was dwarfed only by the enormity of the end.
When the streak ended, no one begrudged Taker for losing. There was only the huge respect that he was due towards him. He struggled during the latter part of his fight with Brock Lesnar with a concussion that would have made many wrestlers give up.
3. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker, Career vs The Streak match, WrestleMania 26
On the one hand, it was the illustrious career of Shawn Michaels, who was the inspiration for an entire generation of wrestlers. On the other hand, it was the unconquerable streak, which was a stuff of legends. Shawn Michaels, aiming for immortality, clashed off against The Undertaker once again on the grandest stage.
The fight was spectacular, action spewed back-and-forth, and neither wrestler remained in control of the bout for long. The two aging veterans put on a performance that put the younger ones to shame.
Counters met counters as both wrestlers fought to their end. But nothing registers in mind as much as The Showstopper defiantly slapping The Undertaker even when he was drained so much that he couldn’t stand straight. That one moment transcended the bout from a mere classic to a stuff of legends.
2. Triple H vs The Undertaker, Hell in a Cell, Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels, WrestleMania 28
Three legends, three A+ performers, and most of all three huge egos clashing on the grandest stage, where egos were fed like nowhere else. To The Deadman, it was the revenge against the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of Triple H at the previous WrestleMania. To Triple H, it was the desire to prove he was better than his buddy Shawn Michaels and a chance at immortality.
Add a controversial referee to the mix, who thirsts for vengeance against the one who ended his illustrious career, but also wants to be the better man when compared to his friend. And lock these three in a structure that brings out the best in the wrestlers.
Nothing short of breathtaking performance will be the result. But, this bout transcended that level and made it to immortality. Chairs, hammers, steel cage and steel steps; everything was brought into play as the two veterans tried to dismantle each another.
But above all, it was the moment when “The Phenom” kicked out of a Sweet Chin Music followed by a pedigree that blazed this bout into immortality. The look of disbelief on everyone’s face as The Deadman refused to lay down was as big as the look of disbelief that mirrored the faces of fans when the streak was conquered.
1. Shawn Michaels vs The UnderTaker, WrestleMania 25
What could top this incredible list other than this match? If an amateur wrestler wanted to know how it is done, then he must watch this fight above all else. At the twenty-fifth anniversary of WrestleMania, two legends driven by their ego collided in a match that would be referred as “The Bout” in future.
All their experience, knowledge and desire to win were brought to the forefront as these two collided. When Shawn Michaels said that he had wrestled a near perfect match, he was not lying one bit.
Counters that were born out of scouting one’s opponents peppered the fight as the two legends tried to wrestle control of the match. But neither one was successful. For a fan, the battle was littered with many high moments that one could never forget easily.
From The Deadman executing a perfect over the top rope suicide dive to Shawn Michaels delivering a sweet chin music out of nowhere, everything was perfect and mostly unexpected with this bout. Shawn Michaels’ downfall came when he became ambitious and tried a moonsault from the top rope. The Deadman caught him in mid-air to convert it into a Tombstone piledriver for the win.
That, however, was not the first Tombstone. In fact, it was merely a final desperate attempt by The Deadman. Both wrestlers put on a show that drained all their reserves and they both rightfully basked in the adoration the crowd showered towards them later. If there is one match that could be blindly pointed out as the best of The Deadman’s career, then it would be this.
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