| Will Glasband, host of “Will Powered Radio” | 3/19/18
With the Undertaker on the brink of retirement, as well as WrestleMania season being in full swing, the Demon of Death Valley and his legendary performances are certainly on the minds of many wrestling fans. While some fans are clamoring for “one more match,” others
want The Phenom to rest in peace. The latters feelings are undoubtedly related to Taker’s lackluster performance last year at WrestleMania 34 and what many fans perceived as his retirement. Regardless of how you feel, Undertaker has undoubtedly left his mark at the legendary event. Here’s some of his most memorable outings at the Showcase of Immortals, based on overall match quality, replayability, and long-term importance. For more WWE discussion and pro wrestling news, tune into “Will Power Radio,” on KKSM AM 1320 every Monday at 3:05 P.M.
Honorable Mention: Kane at WrestleMania 14
5. Batista at WrestleMania 23
The Animal clashed with The Phenom almost 11 years ago and absolutely tore the house down at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. At this time in 2007, Batista was on a warpath and at the top of the food chain on SmackDown! as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. Despite the Undertaker’s 14-0 undefeated streak at WrestleMania, Batista was credible as a possible kryptonite to Taker’s superman-esque performances at the event.
4. Randy Orton at WrestleMania 21
In 2005, Randy Orton was the WWE’s most promising up-and-comer not named John Cena or Batista. The Undertaker’s streak was also still alive and well, and many fans thought that Randy Orton was just the guy to beat The Phenom at the Grandest Stage of Them All. And Orton almost did, especially with the Chokeslam-to-RKO counter pictured above. Considering how The Streak eventually did end in such anticlimactic fashion at WrestleMania 30, maybe Orton should have picked up the 1-2-3 back at WrestleMania 21.
3. Triple H at WrestleMania 28
This match was completely and utterly epic. Easily the best Hell in a Cell match in the modern era, Triple H and The Undertaker meshed perfectly, which led to an insane amount of drama and suspense. Shawn Michael’s involvement as the special guest referee also kept fans on their feet, as they were waiting for the moment that he’d snap, superkick the Undertaker, and help his best friend vanquish The Last Outlaw once and for all. When that eventually did happen many of the WWE faithful, including myself, thought that the Undertaker’s 20 year-old streak had taken its last breath.
2. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25
What many consider to the greatest WrestleMania ever, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker left it all in the ring at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The yin and yang between Shawn Michael’s high-flying, scrappy wrestling and Undertaker’s sheer power and size made for an incredible match that had virtually everyone thinking that The Streak was one Sweet Chin Music away from ending. Oh yeah, and Undertaker seemingly broke his neck at one point while diving to the outside of the ring and landing on a cameraman. A match of this caliber could only ever play second fiddle to…
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1. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 26
A lot of times, the sequel is never as good as the original. Other times, the sequel accomplishes the rare feat of outdoing the original. While this may be an unpopular opinion, I believe that The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels superseded expectations and outdid their legendary WrestleMania 25 match. With Shawn Michael’s career hanging in the balance, it was truly incredible and ultimately heartbreaking (pun intended) to see The Heartbreak Kid scratch and claw with everything he had to do the unthinkable and defeat Taker at ‘Mania, only to eventually be conquered like all the other warriors who came before him.
