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Regular-article-logo Tuesday, 23 April 2024

As the Phenom retires from wrestling, we look back at his Phenomenal career

The 10 greatest moments of his career

Ravjit Singh Published 26.06.20, 12:18 AM

For three decades, The Undertaker has been the reason for intrigue to many wrestling fans. Some believed the theories of him being a supernatural entity, while others considered him nothing more than a fine wrestler who employed horror-themed scare tactics as a part of his gimmick. But if there is something that every wrestling fan growing up in the ’90s and 2000s swears by, it is that he became the face of the industry. The Dead Man, The Phenom, The Streak — The Undertaker has been known by many names and everyone recognised him and his signature eye-roll, regardless of them being a wrestling fan or not. The Undertaker gave many memorable matches over his 30-year-long career, so as he says goodbye to the squared circle, t2 lists the 10 greatest moments of his career.

1 An unforgettable debut, Survivor Series (1990)

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When the ‘Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase promised a mystery partner for his team at the Tag-Team elimination match at Survivor Series 1990, no one expected to witness the debut of one of the unforgettable and iconic superstars in the company’s history. Though The Phenom didn’t end up winning the match, he held his own against a formidable team that included giants like Bret Hart, Dusty Rhodes, Koko B. Ware and Jim Neidhart.

2 First championship title, Survivor Series (1991)

Just one year after his debut at the same pay-per-view, The Undertaker became the youngest WWE Champion of the company at the time, defeating biggest pro wrestling icon of the time, Hulk Hogan. Though his victory also comprised continuous distractions by his manager Paul Bearer and Ric Flair, he showed no remorse in taking down the biggest name in the business with a steel chair, cementing his place in the company as a formidable force and marking the first of seven world titles in his career.

3 The Streak begins, WrestleMania VII (1991)

In just a couple of months into his WWE career, The Undertaker also made his WrestleMania debut, in a singles match against Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania VII. Taker scored a credible victory, kicking off The Streak, an unprecedented run of 21 victories on professional wrestling’s grandest stage.

4 Resurrection of The Dead Man, Royal Rumble (1994)

At Royal Rumble 1994, The Undertaker challenged incumbent WWE Champion Yokozuna for a title Casket match. Being true to its name, the objective of the match is to trap the opponent inside the casket. As the match progresses, he became such a formidable force that it took Yokozuna 10 of his henchmen to defeat the Dead Man. But just as he was being wheeled out of the arena, The Undertaker appeared on the giant Titantron and cut a poetic yet eerie promo on his assailant, vowing never to rest in peace. This match signified the beginning of his ‘Dead Man’ persona.

5 The Confrontation, Badd Blood: In Your House (1997)

The first Hell in a Cell match also remains the best yet for many wrestling fans. The thrilled and super-hyped match was a culmination of on-and-off episodes between Undertaker and his (on-screen) brother Kane. The match also saw an appearance by Shawn Michaels who ultimately didn’t go back to the locker room in one piece.

6 Property Damage, King of the Ring (1998)

Mankind was known for his absolute genius and madness during the Attitude Era. So when the madman met the Dead Man in 1998’s Hell in a Cell, we knew either something awful or something amazing would be taking place. But when Undertaker flung Mankind off the Cell and threw him right on the commentator’s desk, little did we know that this will end up being one of the greatest professional wrestling matches of all-time. None of the wrestlers ending up being seriously injured, though Mankind suffered numerous injuries.

7 The Dead Man returns, WrestleMania XX (2004)

After losing a Buried Alive match against his brother Kane the previous year, The Undertaker returned at the Royal Rumble and distracting his brother, which eventually resulting in his elimination. At WrestleMania later that year, the Brothers of Destruction finally got a chance to settle their score. Undertaker comfortably defeated Kane and added the win to his ongoing Streak.

8 Royal Rumble champ, Royal Rumble (2007)

Back in 2007, when the Dead Man completed 17 years in the industry, he had accomplished everything there was to accomplish, except winning the Royal Rumble title. That changed later that year when he entered the ring late in the match, sparred with Edge and Randy Orton and overcame Shawn Michaels to lift the Title.

9 The Phenom’s last winning Streak match, WrestleMania XXIX (2013)

Over his Streak of 21 undefeated WrestleMania victories, The Undertaker came close to losing many times, but never as close as the last winning Streak match against CM Punk. After feuding for a good couple of years, the two finally did confront at WrestleMania XXIX Main Event, with Taker eventually defeating Punk, for the last time ever.

10 The Boneyard, WrestleMania 36 (2020)

After sitting out WrestleMania 35, The Undertaker’s appearance in WrestleMania 36 was not exactly expected by a lot of fans. In a special ‘Boneyard’ match — a match that takes place in a wide-open graveyard — the Dead Man took on AJ Styles, ‘buried’ him alive, thus winning his last ever WrestleMania appearance and finishing his Last Ride.

(Pictures sourced by The Telegraph)

Relive The Undertaker’s journey airing all throughout this month on WWE Blockbusters, daily at 8pm on Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 3

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