The Undertaker, also known as ‘The Phenom’, finally hung his boots on Sunday night when he lost to wrestler Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33. Since his debut in the world of professional wrestling in 1990, The Undertaker — real name: Mark William Calaway — went on to become the greatest wrestler of all time.
He came to WrestleMania 33 with a win-loss record of 23-1, his sole loss prior to Sunday’s match coming against Brock Lesner at Wrestle Mania 30. But on Sunday, he lost to Roman Reigns, making his record 23-2. After his defeat , he took off his hat, coat and gloves, and placed them in the centre of the ring — a sign that his glorious career had finally come to an end.
As an ode to him, we bring you a list of his seven greatest matches over the years.
1) The Undertaker’s legacy
Match: Singles Match
Opponent: Shawn Michaels
Date: 4/5/2009
Event: WrestleMania 25
This was The Undertaker’s greatest match ever. He might have fought epic battles with Shawn Michaels over the years, but this one tops the list. The match was the climax of The Undertaker’s career and beginning of an end for Michaels’ career.
2) When The Undertaker put CM Punk to bed once and for all
Match: Singles match
Opponent: CM Punk
Date: 4/7/2013
Event: WrestleMania 29
Their hatred towards each other was well known. The feud began when CM Punk started taunting Taker regarding the death of his friend and mentor Paul Bearer. After The Undertaker beat CM Punk, Punk retired. The match was remembered for the way CM Punk valiantly fought but got beaten badly.
3) At it again with Shawn Michaels
Match: Streak vs. Career - No disqualification match
Opponent: Shawn Michaels
Date: 3/28/2010
Event: WrestleMania 26
Every time these two fought in the ring, the audience was guaranteed a match to remember. High point of this one? The moment when a beaten Michaels kicked out of a second Tombstone, and The Undertaker kept yelling at him to stay down.
4) Rumble in the Jungle
Match: Hell in a Cell for the WWE Championship
Opponents: Kurt Angle, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple-H and Rikishi
Date: 10/10/2000
Event: Armageddon 2000
The most unforgettable match in the history of wrestling! The greatest superstars such as The Rock, Austin, Rikishi and Triple-H in the same ring with The Undertaker, that too a hell in a cell match says it all. This match will always be remembered for the moment when Taker threw Rikishi from the top of the cage into the crowd. And the crowd went wild.
5) When The Undertaker almost got ‘Edged’
Match: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Opponent: Edge
Date: 3/30/2008
Event: WrestleMania 24
One of the lengthiest and most gruelling matches of The Undertaker’s career, Edge almost ended Taker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania with this one. But this match stood out because The Undertaker simply would not give up, fighting on despite an injury.
6) The Undertaker vs The Batista
Match: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Opponent: Batista
Date: 4/1/2007
Event: WrestleMania 23
Batista was a man-mountain who went like a raged animal against The Undertaker in this match. This fight become famous because The Undertaker survived the younger man’s onslaught and in the end, landed a mammoth choke slam and pile-driver to end Batista’s challenge.
7) Hell in a Cell again, but this time with Triple-H
Match: “End of an Era” Hell in a Cell (Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels)
Opponent: Triple-H
Date: 4/1/2012
Event: WrestleMania 28
With Shawn Michaels as the guest referee, this match had plenty of melodrama. Triple-H along with Michaels’ help, still could not defeat Taker. This match cemented The Undertaker’s legacy as the greatest ever. The highlight of the match was when The Undertaker delivered a choke slam to Triple-H on top of the cage.
If all this got you a bit overwhelmed, remembering The Undertaker’s prowess, here’s a look at how Twitteratti reacted to the legend’s retirement news:
Much Respect, Deadman. Thank you for everything you've done. #ThankYouTaker #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/Rf72xTuDiN
— Brock Lesnar Guy (@BrockLesnarGuy) April 3, 2017
After 27 years of greatness all I can say is #ThankYouTaker #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/WjGabVWxBL
— #ThankYouTaker (@Karriem15) April 3, 2017
Taker's gear remains....untouched 💔💔#ThankYouTaker #Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/wHdCxe7vFV
— Sloomzo - #Mania (@Sloomzo) April 3, 2017
#ThankYouUndertaker - my life has been so much better for having known you.#Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/earZXZ9uYF
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) April 3, 2017
There will never be another quite like him. Thank you Taker! pic.twitter.com/FFQxvXOuNY
— Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) April 3, 2017
#ThankYouTaker pic.twitter.com/9oUuQUlf6U
— Austin Creed (@XavierWoodsPhD) April 3, 2017
The #Undertaker is making the walk back up the #WrestleMania ramp... pic.twitter.com/BAgWZKClp6
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 3, 2017
Vintage #Undertaker as the lights go out at #WrestleMania... pic.twitter.com/CEV8rUIbMQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2017
