5 Reasons why The Undertaker steals the show at WrestleMania
It is without a doubt that when WrestleMania comes around, all fans think of one man. A man who is just as much WrestleMania as WrestleMania is with him being a part of it. It has become the main attraction when Pro Wrestling’s Super Bowl comes around, and that is a title not taken lightly considering his career. WrestleMania is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some, who will pay top dollar to see a legend in its core existence.
That man is the Undertaker, and as storied his career is, his matches at WrestleMania are no exception. Starting with his first WrestleMania match against “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania VII, and his most recent one against Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 32, The Undertaker singlehandedly has earned his spot in WWE history based on his twenty plus WrestleMania matches alone.
Shawn Michaels may be Mr. WrestleMania, but best believe that WrestleMania is The Undertaker’s yard.
Watching The Phenom on PPV television is one thing, but to see the man, the myth and the legend live is a completely different experience. It was my dream to attend a WrestleMania and I made it a reality in 2011 when I attended WrestleMania XXVII. It was Taker’s nineteenth WrestleMania and his was arguably the best match of the night.
Taker pulled out all the stops and even though he was stretchered out of the Georgia Dome that night, I knew that I had gotten my money’s worth watching him put on an extraordinary performance. With Taker’s current position, fans will pay money to see a rare appearance from him on the grandest stage of them all. And in turn, Taker puts on the performance of a lifetime for those fans. Even at his age and having a worn-out body, The Undertaker pulls out all the stops once when he does come around.
I’ve been to two more WrestleMania’s since then. WrestleMania 30 was my second Mania, and the pivotal question that I am asked when I tell people I attended is: “Did it really get quiet when Brock Lesnar conquered the streak?” The answer is yes. When it happened, you could hear a pin drop. I remember I had just taken a picture of Lesnar executing a final F5 on Taker before WrestleMania history was turned upside down.
The bell didn’t ring, and I knew something happened. We weren’t sure if Taker kicked out, or something went awry in the match. Fans began arguing with one another as to what really happened. I was arguing with a bunch of male fans, contesting the bell didn’t ring, so it’s not official. But when the 21-1 graphic popped up, you could hear the disbelief followed with emotions elicited throughout the Superdome. It’s a story I will tell even when I’m gray and old.
I attended WrestleMania 31, where The Phenom went toe to toe with The New Face of Fear, Bray Wyatt. I am very critical of the buildup, but they produced a great match. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong. Fans knew that night that Taker indeed still had the fight in him. I feel with Taker and Wyatt, the feud itself had so much potential. It’s a case of I’ll take what I can get. Could there be more matches with these two in the future? I can only hope.
Of course, my favorite WrestleMania match is Taker v. Michaels at WrestleMania XXV. I still think because it was the first match of his I saw at WrestleMania, The Undertaker v. Triple H is my favorite live match. But regardless, I can attest that if you go to WrestleMania just to see The Undertaker you will not be disappointed. It is indeed true that Taker steals the show at WrestleMania. I’ve been to three of them, and I can tell you five reasons why he does so. Let’s go.