The Undertaker is one of the biggest superstars that the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has produced. The ‘Man Who Cannot Die’ has enthralled fans world over for decades. The Undertaker has been the star at Wrestlemania—WWE’s biggest annual event—for years now. As the ‘King’ of WWE announced his retirement, here is a look at some of the biggest matches of his career.
Undertaker vs Kurt Angle (September 2003)
Termed as one of his all-time best fights by the Undertaker himself, this was a blockbuster match for the WWE Championship. The epic fight saw both wrestlers use their finishing moves multiple times and still failing to secure a tap-out win. The last five minutes of the match was intense as Kurt Angle tried desperately in vain to tap out Undertaker with the ‘ankle lock’. Undertaker set up Kurt Angle for a ‘Last Ride’ which would have sealed the match before Brock Lesnar spoiled the party by entering the ring and beating up both players.
Undertaker debut (1990)
The match wasn’t one of the best of his career. In fact, he lost the match. But it was worth mentioning as this was the first fight of the legend. He was originally called ‘Cain the Undertaker’. He knocked out Koko Ware and Dusty Rhodes in the match but was eliminated. Though the fight was lost, the phenom was born.
Undertaker vs Jeff Hardy (July 2002)
The match lasted over 15 minutes, which was brutal for Jeff. It was a ‘Ladder’ match for the WWE championship. Jeff Hardy more than stood up to the occasion giving the Undertaker a run for his money. After an intense battle that showcased some Jeff’s best acrobatic aerial attacks, Undertaker finally beat Jeff. But the moment of the day came when Jeff announced that he was still standing as Undertaker was on his way back after the win. When everyone expected Undertaker to assault Jeff again, he stunned everyone by holding Jeff’s hand up in respect.
The Undertaker and Jeff Hardy | via WWE's Twitter handle
Undertaker vs Kurt Angle vs The Rock (2002)
The ‘Triple Threat’ match was one of the best of all time. The Undertaker took on Kurt Angle and The Rock for the WWE Championship. All fighters were at their prime and a pinfall looked unlikely as nobody was ready to give up even after taking some brutal attacks. The match also the fighters use their rivals’ finishing moves. In the end, just after the Undertaker took out Kurt Angle with a choke slam, The Rock reversed Undertaker’s attempt on him and closed out the match with a ‘Rock Bottom’ on the Undertaker to take the WWE Championship title.
Undertaker vs Undertaker (1994)
While the match in itself wasn’t very impressive, it was one worth watching because of the hype surrounding it. Ted Dibiase had paid another imposter to play the role of the Undertaker for quite a few weeks. The real Undertaker returned and a fight was scheduled to identify who was legit. With all the drama surrounding the fight, it was the most anticipated fight of the season. But the match didn’t last long as the Undertaker send the imposter packing in a casket after three ‘tombstones’.
Undertaker vs Triple H (Wrestlemania 2012)
It was one of the best ‘Hell in a Cell’ matches to have ever been fought. The duo battled it out for over half an hour with Shawn Michaels volunteering to the referee. The Rock and John Cena were also scheduled to fight at the main even in WrestleMania, but Triple H and Undertaker stole the show. Undertaker had never lost at WrestleMania and his reputation was at stake as Tirple H threw everything at him. Chairs and sledgehammers were used in the fight with both men dripping blood. Undertaker beat Triple H senseless with a sledgehammer and finished the match with a ‘tombstone’.
Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels (1997)
The first ‘Hell in a Cell’ match of WWE saw the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels engage in a bloody battle. Michaels did manage to lay some ‘superkicks’ on the Undertaker, but he took a hell of a beating from the ‘Dead Man’. Towards the end of the match, Michaels was covered in blood and looked like he was done. The match also saw both fighters getting out of the cage and making it to the top of the cage. After a few scary moments, Undertaker finally stamped Michaels off the top to the table below. As Undertaker was about to close out the match, his brother Kane makes his debut appearance in WWE and hits Undertaker with a ‘tombstone’ of his own and allows Michaels to take the win. It was the start of another rivalry.
The Undertaker with Shawn Michaels | via Shawn Michael's Twitter handle
Undertaker vs Mankind (1998)
Undertaker vs Mankind in 1998 in the second ever ‘Hell in a Cell’ match is the most violent match in WWE history. Both men were at it for half an hour with Mankind thrown off the top of the cell twice by Undertaker. After the initial fall, the referee said the match had ended as Mankind was stretchered away. But to the surprise of everyone, Mankind got off the stretcher and resumed the fight only to be hurled off the top of the cage again by Undertaker. Finally, a combination of ‘choke slam’ and ‘tombstone’ saw the Undertaker win the bloodiest match in WWE history.
Undertaker vs Kane (1998)
The rivalry between the brothers had started the previous year when Kane beat his brother during a fight against Shawn Michaels. Undertaker had lost the fight due to Kane’s intervention. The duo fought in the first ‘Inferno’ match. After an intense battle, Undertaker finally won the match after setting Kane’s arm on fire.
Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar (2002)
The match was Brock Lesnar’s first announcement that he was ready to be included in the big league. The ‘Hell in a Cell’ match saw both men covered in blood long before the match ended. Brock reversed a ‘tombstone’ into an ‘F-5’ to take the win.
