Mr. Wrestlemania vs. The Streak: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker

[HBK-aholic]

I was slightly worried this match wouldn't live up the hype - we've been effectively waiting for this match for years, some of us. Here, we've discussed this match as amazing. Well, they didn't disappoint. Match of the night, match of their careers, match of the WWE, ever. They didn't do one thing wrong - everything was even better than I imagined it to be. One question though - why, oh why was this match not last?

It is quite worrying that the 2 people who will be looking to retire soon are the only ones who can put on an amazing match at the biggest stage of them all. The rest of the PPV was horrible. But well done Taker and Shawn. Amazing.

 

[OIL]

Brilliant match. Just, plain brilliant. The match of the night, and quite possibly match of the decade. They put on a great match, and there were some awesome spots involved. However, kicking out of the tombstone piledriver? C'mon, that move is meant to be the end, but no, HBK had to kick out. I understand, it's WrestleMania. But still, he shouldn't have kicked out from it.

 

[Dragonslayer]

I agree on this one... quite a number of people had argued that this match wasn't going to be interesting, because everyone knew Taker was going to take it home... Well I had always been of the opinion that if anyone ever could end the streak, it would have to be HBK - so this was a brilliant setup. You knew that if anyone else faced Taker, they would lose; but HBK is the only "authority" to legitimately be entitled to achieve that feat. And that is what made this match one of the most entertaining matches of Taker at WM, and well... one of the greatest matches ever.

The whole setup (and I mean literally 20 years for both guys to get there), the stage was perfect - this bout was really the only one fit for the much-hyped 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania. We knew we were gonna get false finishes (but damn, those were quite a few! hehe), we knew this, if no other WM-match of Taker's ever, could go either way... we got great entrances from both guys, a tremendous effort on both sides (hell, that suicide dive was sick, I was really scared Taker might've hurt himself there), and - plain and simple - those two "old-timers" way past their 40ieth birthday just took EVERYONE on the whole WWE roster to school that night once again, showing them just how it's done, and proving to everyone why they have become the legendary figures they are today.

My hat goes off to both HBK and Taker; I had always believed this one was going to steal the show, and for once - I was not to be disappointed. Thank you!

On a side note: The only thing I am REALLY worried about at this point, that as far as I'm concerned, it really really looks like the one to finally end Taker's streak will have to be Triple H. And seriously, even though Triple H is a good worker, and has earned his spot - that would just be another ego stroke for him, and I've just never been huge on Trips... I just don't want him to be the one to do it, plain and simple. But well... maybe Taker gets to keep the streak until he retires after all. Would be a much nicer touch, anyway.

 

[joesgoingtoeatu]

i dont think that has to happen, even HHH should know his limits. This was the only match that was worth the pay=per view. It wasn't a 54.95 match but at least it was worth 29.95 of it i think. Shawn is the greatest active wrestler going today period. No one puts on a show like that, not HHH, not everyone's beloved Orton, not anybody. The WWE better get some new serious stars and quick if HBK does retire next year. Maybe thats why CM Punk won money in the bank again ? No one has the entire package like HBK !!!!

 

[Uncle Sam]

The Dark Knight of wrestling matches already. Hyped to fuck. People then say how it lived up to the hype, which it didn't. Match of the night, yeah. That's not that hard. Though I do think that Hardy/Hardy wasn't much worse.

Match of the year? No, I'd give that to Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett at Genesis.

It's as if everything that wasn't a signature move was banned from the match. Really, the same problem I had with Edge/Taker. I can't decide if the massive bouts of just lying around made the spot after spot after spot formula more or less bearable. About the same.

It was as if Michaels and Taker had sat down beforehand and just decided that they'd just have them performing every signature move they could come up with - and one of Chris Benoit's. Only one problem - the match will last ten minutes under those circumstances. But wait, what if we just lie around for half the match! And better yet, some of our signature moves are just jumping right back up. We can lie around and get back up whenever we want, not bothering to concern ourselves with selling properly.

Genius. Just genius. Makes for a fucking sick highlight package, but a disappointing match.

For the record, Angle/Michaels pissed on this.

 

[weird86]

I was slightly worried this match wouldn't live up the hype - we've been effectively waiting for this match for years, some of us. Here, we've discussed this match as amazing. Well, they didn't disappoint. Match of the night, match of their careers, match of the WWE, ever. They didn't do one thing wrong - everything was even better than I imagined it to be. One question though - why, oh why was this match not last?

It is quite worrying that the 2 people who will be looking to retire soon are the only ones who can put on an amazing match at the biggest stage of them all. The rest of the PPV was horrible. But well done Taker and Shawn. Amazing.

This match wasnt last because both the mens names arent HHH. I have said from day 1 these two not only should of been the ME but to save the PPV had to be. I think it's safe to say I was right, and no doubt this should of been the ME.

 

[weird86]

The Dark Knight of wrestling matches already. Hyped to fuck. People then say how it lived up to the hype, which it didn't. Match of the night, yeah. That's not that hard. Though I do think that Hardy/Hardy wasn't much worse.

Match of the year? No, I'd give that to Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett at Genesis.

It's as if everything that wasn't a signature move was banned from the match. Really, the same problem I had with Edge/Taker. I can't decide if the massive bouts of just lying around made the spot after spot after spot formula more or less bearable. About the same.

It was as if Michaels and Taker had sat down beforehand and just decided that they'd just have them performing every signature move they could come up with - and one of Chris Benoit's. Only one problem - the match will last ten minutes under those circumstances. But wait, what if we just lie around for half the match! And better yet, some of our signature moves are just jumping right back up. We can lie around and get back up whenever we want, not bothering to concern ourselves with selling properly.

Genius. Just genius. Makes for a fucking sick highlight package, but a disappointing match.

For the record, Angle/Michaels pissed on this.

I thought this was a GREAT match, BUT I agree with some of what you say. I had high expectations, and although it was not a disappointing match, I was expecting it to top Angle Taker NWO 06, which to me it didnt. This just proves how good of a worker Angle really is. Was this match of the night? Of course, match of the year? Probably will be, but it was no Angle Taker.

 

[NSL]

This match was outstanding. To everyone complaining it was too slow, or had too many breaks, I have two things to remind you of. If they had gone all-out for the length of the match, it would've sucked. They're too old to do that, and they worked the best match that they could have. And, for all the times they were "just laying around", did it not have a reason, and did it not wrench your heart to see what would happen next?

Undertaker almost getting counted out had me jumping up and down in my living room, and even had my girlfriend screaming for the Deadman to get up, and she hated wrestling until last night. Shawn kicking out of the first tombstone was great. I had the same look on my face that 'Taker did. They both did everything right, and this is easily WWE's match of the year so far.

NSL Grade: A

 

[Dave]

This was one of the best matches I have ever seen. I'm gonna compare it with Rock vs Austin at X-7. So many twists and turns. I honestly thought for a second that Micheals was gonna win it was that good. When Taker hit that first Tombstone and Micheals kicked out I almost shit my pants. An extraordinary match from cover to cover. I think JR summed it up best: "As a wrestling fan, how could you ask for more?" The best match on the card by a mile.

 

[Fear Of Drowning]

I had hyped this match in my mind so much, I thought that it could not deliver. It did, and more. Two of the best, doing what they do best. A stellar, stellar match for the ages. Lord knows how the rest of the locker room in the WWE felt after watching this one, as for those going out after the match they really had no hope of following it.

My respect for both men has gone through the roof, that now means that Taker and Michaels have been in a string of three amazing Mania matches (vs each other, for Taker vs Edge and Batista and Michaels vs Flair and Cena). I just hope that those who doubted the match can watch it filled with an appreciation and love for what wrestling can deliver when it is done to its highest level.

And how Taker is not severely injured after that suicide dive I will never know.

 

[DeadmanInc2009]

HBK vs The Undertaker, IMO, owned every damn wrestler in WWE, TNA, and any other promotion. I honestly don't mean that in a disrespectful or demeaning way. But they showed every damn wrestler walking this planet, how its done. They reminded us all why we all love wrestling. With all the bitching about WWE and TNA, its feels good to have a match that kind of brings everybody back together. I take my hat off to both men. I was at WM25 live, and those two got a really long standing ovation, and they both deserved it.

 

[supersayian]

your dam right they deserved it. these two were WM last night this was the only match that lived up to the hype. these two put it all on the line and had the crowd into the whole dam match. these two gave it there all. when HBK kicked out i thought Undertakers look was priceless after that first tombstone. this will go down in one for the ages. good job to both men and future hall of fame guys. Taker says he does not care if he loses the streak that shows you ho classy this guy really is. but the fact that two vets had the best match is above and beyond what i expected.

 

[Uncle Sam]

This match was outstanding.

Well, yeah. It stood out alright.

To everyone complaining it was too slow, or had too many breaks, I have two things to remind you of. If they had gone all-out for the length of the match, it would've sucked.

No, it wouldn't have. I mean, half of Angle/Michaels was just a headlock. There is something in the middle between "going all out" and "taking a nap".

They're too old to do that, and they worked the best match that they could have.

So your defence for their... I don't know what to call it. Let's just say laziness. Your defence for their laziness was that they're too old to do any better.

I mean, there's some out of date chicken in my fridge. It's pretty rank, but what do you expect from expired chicken?

And, for all the times they were "just laying around", did it not have a reason, and did it not wrench your heart to see what would happen next?

I was just wondering at what time in the next ten minutes Undertaker would sit up and Michaels would kip up. Don't know why Michaels bothered working on Undertaker's leg - he sold it for all of ten seconds.

Undertaker almost getting counted out had me jumping up and down in my living room,

Yeah, except there's no fucking way they're going to end the streak by having The Undertaker counted out about ten minutes into the match, is there?

and even had my girlfriend screaming for the Deadman to get up, and she hated wrestling until last night.

That's excusable then. She's obviously not as keen at observing the patterns as the average wrestling fan.

Shawn kicking out of the first tombstone was great.

Saw it coming a mile away.

They both did everything right,

Yeah, I suppose. I still say the pacing was too far off for this to be a classic. Just like Orton/HHH, it started off with such a spark that keeping up with it for the rest of the match was going to be impossible.

Michaels should have pulled out the Crossface right near the end of the match. Same with Undertaker and Hell's Gate.

and this is easily WWE's match of the year so far.

I wouldn't know but I've now decided that Hardy vs. Hardy was better.

 

[supersayian]

your nuts that match had two or three good spots. taker and hbk was great. yeah i saw the kick out of the tombstone a mile away to. but boy did it have taker and the fans going. and the count out looked real. it could have happened. you never know. hell this match could have gone another 10 minutes still.

 

[JBK2008]

This was THE best match I've ever seen. I'm 21 and I've been watching WWE as long as I can remember and my dad, who's been watching since the late 60s also thinks this was the best match ever. Back and forth and all the expectations that were expected between HBK and Undertaker were clearly met... Just wow.

HHH should take note of HBK and put some guys over and stop hogging the gold. HBK put on a hell of a show and Undertaker pulled out some of his very best work and if this match isn't Match of the Year, I'm done with WWE. This match was spectacular from start to finish.

 

[avi01]

Imo anybody who don`t see a classic in this seriously seriously needs to re watch. I`ve been waiting for a match of this standards for years. That`s one of the very best WM match ever..and i`ve loads of those.

 

[Shocky]

I stand by what I said when this match was over, it's the best Match I've seen out of these two, and it's the best match that I've seen at a Wrestlemania, and it's my honest opinion. I've watched nearly every mania Live since the 2nd one, and I can't recall being into a match as much as I was this match. This match had everything, and then some.

You're talking about a match that has been teased for two years since the Rumble of 2007. This forum had threads started about this match happening at Mania 25. With a nearly 2 year build up, you would suspect a let down.

The crowd was dead, this match pumped the crowd up. The entrances were fantastic, the build up at the beginning was fantastic. The entire storyline of HBK not being touched by the Deadman worked well the first few minutes of the match, as the Undertaker still couldn't get a hold of him, and when he did, Michaels moved out of the way of his every move.

The laying around, what the hell did you think was going to happen. Who in the hell is going to go out there for 100% for a half an hour. The entire point of the damn match was that both men were willing to do whatever it took to out beat the other. Hell, who would have thought we would have seen Shawn Michaels praying in the corner for a count out victory over the Undertaker? That shows the desperation both of the men had to try and beat each other. In the end, both men did whatever it took to beat each other, and the crowd ate it up.

And the using their finishers argument is one of the weakest argument I have ever read. Um, this is Wrestlemania, what big match doesn't have the wrestlers kicking out of each others finishers. Austin and the Rock at Wrestlemania 17 kicked out of each others finishers, and their own finishers, yet people try and say that is a great match. The Ultimate Warrior kicked out of 5 Atomic Elbows, yet pepole consider that a great match. You're stretching for a reason to not like the match, and it's pretty weak.

This match was easily one of the best ever. HBK and the Undertaker have always turned their matches into gold with each other, and this was the best to date. The crowd was dead, this match gave it life. This match had hype surrounding it that has been rarely duplicated, and it delivered ten fold. I have watched Warrior Hogan live, I watched WArrior vs. Savage, Flair vs. Savage, Hart vs. Hart, Austin vs. Hart, Rock vs. Austin, Rock vs. Hogan, Jericho vs. Michaels, Angle vs. Michaels, and the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels topped them all, without question.

 

[HBK-aholic]

The Dark Knight of wrestling matches already. Hyped to fuck.

For good reason. 'Mr. Wrestlemania' vs. 'Mr. Wrestlemania' - with promos from HBK so good that there was actually a though that the streak could end. The build to this was fantastic, and the match didn't disappoint.

People then say how it lived up to the hype, which it didn't. Match of the night, yeah. That's not that hard. Though I do think that Hardy/Hardy wasn't much worse.

Hardy/Hardy was easily the second best match of the night, I don't want to go through the rest of the shit to make a proper order.

Match of the year? No, I'd give that to Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett at Genesis.

Are you being serious? Really Sam, Really?

It's as if everything that wasn't a signature move was banned from the match. Really, the same problem I had with Edge/Taker. I can't decide if the massive bouts of just lying around made the spot after spot after spot formula more or less bearable. About the same.



It was as if Michaels and Taker had sat down beforehand and just decided that they'd just have them performing every signature move they could come up with - and one of Chris Benoit's. Only one problem - the match will last ten minutes under those circumstances. But wait, what if we just lie around for half the match! And better yet, some of our signature moves are just jumping right back up. We can lie around and get back up whenever we want, not bothering to concern ourselves with selling properly.

Not selling properly? That match was one of the best I've seen for that - the crowd were going wild, I was! And as you can see from this thread alone, everyone else is in agreement of that.

Genius. Just genius. Makes for a fucking sick highlight package, but a disappointing match.

For the record, Angle/Michaels pissed on this.

Angle/Michaels is about the same, actually. Best match of Undertakers career in my opinion.

 

[Sparky]

I stand by what I said when this match was over, it's the best Match I've seen out of these two, and it's the best match that I've seen at a Wrestlemania, and it's my honest opinion. I've watched nearly every mania Live since the 2nd one, and I can't recall being into a match as much as I was this match. This match had everything, and then some.

Look, If this guy says it was a good match, then its obvious it was. Shocky is known for not being a HBK fan.

And I will have to agree, I loved this match. It was good back and forth action, and it really got the crowd pumped. So pumped in fact, It made the two title matches that followed it seem like they was watching a Khali vs Mark heny match. Hell, I watched HHH vs orton twice. the first time, was crap because I couldn't get over how great the undertaker match was. But when I watched it the second time I loved that match as well. Whenever there is a match that gets the crowd so pumped like that you know it was good. It had almost everybody (no need to lie) thinking at least for a minute that HBK was going to pull an upset. This was a great match, and rookies starting out in the buisness and yes even some veterans need to watch that and take note. because if they can get the crowd even half as hyped as those two they will go far. the This is awesome chant, was only one of the things that indicated that this should be MOTY (so far i will give it that) and the best WM match ever. When was the last time the whole crowd was chanting that?

 

[Uncle Sam]

For good reason. 'Mr. Wrestlemania' vs. 'Mr. Wrestlemania' - with promos from HBK so good that there was actually a though that the streak could end. The build to this was fantastic, and the match didn't disappoint.

Eh, the build-up was OK. I took the effort of watching every promo they did leading up to WrestleMania. Really, it wasn't any different to anybody The Undertaker feuds with - I'm gon' end tha streak, here's your funeral, I'm just taking the piss now etc. etc. It would have been much better if they'd built on the history the two had together, rather than the history they had apart.

Hardy/Hardy was easily the second best match of the night, I don't want to go through the rest of the shit to make a proper order.

Steamboat stole the show. He's still got it in the same way that Shawn and Undertaker still got it.

Are you being serious? Really Sam, Really?

Reallly, really. If we're judging how good a match is by how into it we were, I'd actually say that Angle/Jarrett at my house show was match of the year. Now that was all out.

Not selling properly? That match was one of the best I've seen for that - the crowd were going wild, I was!

Erm, what? I meant selling the injury. I did say about Taker's leg.

And as you can see from this thread alone, everyone else is in agreement of that.

Most of the people that I saw disagree aren't actually in this thread. You-know-who, for one.

Angle/Michaels is about the same, actually.

If by "the same" you mean "much better thanks to the pace being roughly three times as fast even when they were trading headlocks, the psychology (yeah, psychology!) being better, the pacing being much more intelligent, the match not just two wrestlers going through a list of their signature moves and a distinct lack of laying around for at least half the match" then yes, I totally agree.

Best match of Undertakers career in my opinion.

Despite the majority of Undertaker's matches being shit, I've got to say no.

 

[HBK-aholic]

Eh, the build-up was OK. I took the effort of watching every promo they did leading up to WrestleMania. Really, it wasn't any different to anybody The Undertaker feuds with - I'm gon' end tha streak, here's your funeral, I'm just taking the piss now etc. etc. It would have been much better if they'd built on the history the two had together, rather than the history they had apart.

While I agree building on that would have been very interesting, it doesn't mean that it would have been better. Partly because some of Shawn's best ever promos were leading up to this match, and I can't imagine them being much better.

Steamboat stole the show. He's still got it in the same way that Shawn and Undertaker still got it.

Meh, he was okay. Not overly impressed, but he was better than I expected.

Reallly, really. If we're judging how good a match is by how into it we were, I'd actually say that Angle/Jarrett at my house show was match of the year. Now that was all out.

Yes, you and the other 3 TNA fans would have been so excited.

Most of the people that I saw disagree aren't actually in this thread. You-know-who, for one.

Obviously.

If by "the same" you mean "much better thanks to the pace being roughly three times as fast even when they were trading headlocks, the psychology (yeah, psychology!) being better, the pacing being much more intelligent, the match not just two wrestlers going through a list of their signature moves and a distinct lack of laying around for at least half the match" then yes, I totally agree.

Both matches were excellent - the best of the past decade at least, so if you were expecting me to say something bad about Angle/Michaels it's not happening. But both were great in different ways - I don't have a clue why you think this match was so bad; you must think wrestling really sucks, if you're not impressed with this.

Despite the majority of Undertaker's matches being shit, I've got to say no.

I can't think of a better one.

 

[Uncle Sam]

While I agree building on that would have been very interesting, it doesn't mean that it would have been better. Partly because some of Shawn's best ever promos were leading up to this match, and I can't imagine them being much better.

They were OK. I still say they were formulaic and typical of someone facing The Undertaker. The funeral bit has been done... well, a lot. Same with the graveside stuff. Same with people just taking the piss out of him. Chirst knows they steered well clear of Undertaker on the stick after he fucked it up.

Meh, he was okay. Not overly impressed, but he was better than I expected.

It was the Iron Man match of WrestleMania. Not the actual match, but the superhero blockbuster. Much better than expected.

Yes, you and the other 3 TNA fans would have been so excited.

12,449.

I don't have a clue why you think this match was so bad;

I don't. I think it was a good match. It was four stars. It just didn't have the originality and spark that would make it the all time classic that people are claiming it to be. I'm merely focusing on the bad points because everyone else has the good points covered.

People still think I don't like The Dark Knight when I very much do.

you must think wrestling really sucks, if you're not impressed with this.

Yeah.

I can't think of a better one.

No Way Out 2006, WrestleMania 21.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

If the build up to this match was great, then the same must be said for the build up to every single Undertaker Mania match of the past 5 years.

The promos from AShawn Michaels were slightly better. But for fucks sake, it's a WrestleMania match, they should be. Even so, he was still half arsing them for most of the time.

I'll reserve judgment on the match until I've seen it. I'd look for it if I believed for a second that it was even the best Undertaker/HBK match. Instead I'll just watch a match between the two when HBK was intresting and engaging.

 

[hollowpoint]

I thought this match was easily the best match of Wrestlemania. It is also in the conversation as one of the best ever. I think the only missing out of this match is some sort of title defense whether for the WWE title or the World Heavyweight Title. Everything from the Heaven vs Hell entrance theme to the kicking out of finishers. I was literally on the edge of my seat during this one.
What a match!

 

[arslanbaig]

Well the match was one of the greatest matches I have ever seen. And whoever says that Taker vs Angle @ NWO 2006 was better can kiss my @&&. At that time Taker's body didn't feel much bad as compared to today. Hell, I am sure Taker is going to retire really soon. Also at that time Taker was 3 years younger too so he could do a lot. I mean in this match HBK had way more speed than Taker. Had HBK fought Taker @ NWO 2006 in place of Angle, Not only he would've topped his own WM match against Angle @ WM 21 but would also have pushed people to give the match more than 5 stars.

Both men worked their @&&es off but it was only HBK that had the it-factor in him. He made people believe he could beat Taker. How many opponents have been able to do this? NONE.

They did what they could do. If they had gone on more, I am sure someone would've died like when Taker took that sick bump to the outside. I almost thought that Taker had f***ed it up and performed an not so necessary spot. I thought he broke his neck and the match would finish in a count out result and taker would lose his streak which he wasn't supposed to lose before that bump.

Way to go BOTH of them and Hats off to them.