Five greatest Undertaker matches at Wrestlemania

The Big Picture

Before the WWE decided to destroy the Undertaker’s legacy by feeding his Wrestlemania undefeated winning streak to Brock for no reason. There was a time when fans thought the Undertaker could not be defeated at Wrestlemania. As the years passed fans thought this year could be it, this is the Wrestlemania night the Deadman could lose and that kept every Wrestlemania match the Undertaker has had the most anticipated match of the night.

Here are my picks for the Top 5 Undertaker matches at Wrestlemania:

#5 Undertaker vs Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 21 (2005)

The Phenom vs The Viper in his prime. This match was filled with classic moves, sudden reversals and one epic slap by Orton. Near pinfalls were many, unbelievable spots were on point.  Orton’s chokeslam reversal into an RKO was outta nowhere.

This match took place during Randy’s ‘The Legend Killer’ phase, so many fans were waiting to see if he was the one to break the streak.

#4 Triple H vs The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 28 (with special guest referee Shawn Michaels)

Called at that time as an end of an era match, this match saw the Phenom vs Hunter inside Hell in a Cell. The match started off as any normal match would then slowly started living up to its name. Midway there were chairs, stairs and Hunter’s sledgehammer in the ring.

Regarded to be one of the Undertaker’s most emotional matches all because of the special guest referee Shawn Michaels. Even though he was with his best friend Triple H, Shawn still obeyed the rules and even prevented Hunter from seriously damaging the Undertaker.

But after Taker put Shawn into Hell’s Gate, Shawn had enough. Hitting Taker with Sweet Chin Music followed by a Pedigree by The Game. This was it, this was the moment Taker lost. This was going to be the night. One, Two…. and regarded as one of the most heart-stopping kick outs in all of wrestling history. The Undertaker kicked out, hit Triple HHH with the Tombstone Piledriver and that was it. 20-0.

#3 Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 30 and Undertaker vs Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 33

These two matches were not the greatest matches for the Undertaker but instead the worst two matches the WWE could‘ve put the Undertaker in. But they made the list because these two matches are the ones the Undertaker lost back to back. They were meaningless, pointless and used for the wrong reasons.

Starting with Taker vs Brock, why? Just why? Why Brock of all people. After the Undertaker’s undefeated streak had reached legendary status, the idea was a newcomer with huge potential would break the streak and get the career boost of a lifetime or maybe just used to make the greatest babyface the biggest heel or simply just remain undefeated till Taker retired.

Brock did not need to break the streak. He did not need the boost this achievement would give him. He was a monster before. The build up to the match was good, the story not that good but the end was unnecessary.  Brock was not a new face, he wasn’t even a full-timer to have effectively used this win.

WWE’s attempt to get Roman over with the fans resulted in throwing Taker’s legacy in the mud. Just like Brock, Roman did not need this win. If anything this win backfired on the WWE as the fans hated Roman even more while the WWE was trying to keep him as a babyface.

#2 The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 25

The Phenom vs Mr. Wrestlemania himself. What was thought to be an amazing showmanship of skills between two very talented, legendary athletes turned into an epic showdown of speed, agility and ring awareness.

The two kept going at each other nonstop, to a point people thought Michaels would be the one to do it and break the streak. Bone crushing and death-defying jumps, one that involved the Undertaker landing on a cameraman.

After a few Sweet Chin Music to the Undertaker that was to no avail, Michaels attempted a moonsault which was caught by the Undertaker and turned into a Tombstone Piledriver for the pinfall.

#1 The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 26

Undoubtedly the most emotional match for the Undertaker. The Streak vs The Career as Shawn had his career on the line facing the Undertaker at Wrestlemania.

The match started with Shawn mocking the Deadman which was followed by one of the most intense and atmospheric matches in Wrestlemania history. Everything that these two legends did the year before was brought back but this time with more intensity.

This match had everything, classic Undertaker moves, super kicks, getting thrown off the top rope. An amazing moonsault of the second rope by Shawn which was caught and turned into a Tombstone on the outside, a table spot.

The match ended with a defiant Shawn refusing to give up, mocking Taker one last time followed by a slap to Taker. This signaled the end as an angered Taker landed the final Tombstone on Shawn defeating him and ending his career.

The two shook hands after and Taker left the ring for Shawn to take in the standing ovation by the fans.