When Was The Undertaker's Streak Under Real Threat?

[Pay Per Ghost]

Pretty simple here, 'Taker's tectonic streak stands at a mighty 19 with no defeat in sight, but when was it in its greatest danger of breaking?



For me it has to be WM X7 against Triple H. Having just seen it and hearing the commentary refer to the streak probably for the first time, it does seem it could've been broken by HHH. He was fresh of a great win against Austin and had great momentum. If there was a time when I thought it could've ended, it was this.

Your picks?

P.S: What a match it was!

 

[The Brain]

WrestleMania 21 against Randy Orton. It was the first time the streak was used in an angle and after his first title reign flopped defeating the Undertaker at mania would have been a logical way to get the Legend Killer back on track. Since then the streak has been a big part of the mania hype so there hasn't been a realistic chance of it ending.

 

[justtxyank]

Perception or reality?

I could see believing the streak was in jeopardy at X-7 or against Randy Orton.

In reality, it was legit in jeopardy against Diesel at WM 12. If Nash hadn't decided to jump ship it is highly probably that he would have beaten Taker at WM to setup a stronger Diesel to feud with Shawn Michaels over the world title.

I don't think it was ever in jeopardy in terms of the bookers after that.

 

[Kiefer-Zeus]

I think it was in danger a few times - Both bouts against HBK and HHH, the first one against Kane and both times against Batista and Randy Orton.

But i do believe had Hulk Hogan faced Undertaker at 7/8 or 9 - The streak would be totally non existent today as ya know what his ego was like at this time!

 

[sivart81]

I would have to pick Batista. He was the champ and was on fire. I had serious doubts that Undertaker would win and become the champ at his age b/c he was already getting old. Not sure which Wrestlemania it was though. But one hell of a match!!!!

 

[akrassikauda]

Randy Orton,HBK,Edge. What do all three have in common, quick strike finishers. When all three hit their finishers in very good spots you can sense people thought it was over. No other wrestlers came close to ending the streak. If you have to set up for a finisher (Batista Bomb,Pedigree,Powerbomb) it's not a oh it could be over move like RKO,Spear,Sweet Chin Music.

 

[Leakee]

I honestly thought the streak would have ended at Wrestlemania 26 vs Shawn Michaels. I didn't believe it would ever end until HBK put his career on the line, I thought HBK was going to go down as the only one ever to beat Taker at Wrestlemania because he is 'Mr. Wrestlemania!' I was honestly in tears when Shawn lost and was forced to retire. I have never liked the Undertaker; Im not sure why, I just have a distinct hatred for 'The Phenom.'

 

[Jeff Hardy Rulez]

I never truly believed the streak would end until last Wrestlemania against Triple H

I thought through the build up Triple H was showing no fear and Undertaker seemed as if he had a bit of doubt in his head.

If the streak ever ends I can't think of a better person to end it than The Game.

 

[Lachie Batista]

i thought is was over at wm23 when batista hit the batista bomb
or hbk was close
and this year when hhh hit the tombstone i thought it was over

 

[willross]

I think there are a few instances in which is was in jeopardy

WM17 against HHH only because the streak wasn't something that was recognized until he beat Flair at X8 when he put up the 10 after he won
WM21 against Orton for sure....very logical build for Orton to go over
WM23 against Batista, just because of these sites saying it would happen + Batista Bomb made it believable
WM24 against Edge considering it was built as them both being undefeated at Mania
WM27 against HHH, that tombstone by HHH made me grab my forehead in shock, best false finish in wrestling history

 

[VinnieSunshine]

WrestleMania 21 against Randy Orton. It was the first time the streak was used in an angle and after his first title reign flopped defeating the Undertaker at mania would have been a logical way to get the Legend Killer back on track. Since then the streak has been a big part of the mania hype so there hasn't been a realistic chance of it ending.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Ill add this too...it was any match after this that fans would realize that Taker was never going to lose at WM.

BUT...last year, for me, was when I looked at the match against Taker and actually though they might actually do it...that WWE would end the streak and put Triple H on top. However, in doing that, so respect to Taker.

THAT boys and girls is how you sell a match...get the audience guessing. I started that match saying "Take is NOT losing this match. They aren't going to end the streak at 18-1." There were a few times that I actiually thought they would, especially after that tombstone by Triple H.

 

[kokoBawesome]

It would had to have been before we even knew he was on a streak, sometime in the first five or six Mania's he appeared in. Five wins at Wrestlemania is hardly a streak, but once Vince and everyone backstage went "oh shit, you mean he hasn't lost yet? Fuck we can always promote him being on a huge streak, even though hes basically just buried a few old timers and gimmicks."

Diesel had a shot, Sid maybe, but he first match against Kane could have forever cemented Kane's future as a legend in the WWE. First match win against the dead man, legacy stuff.

The real best shot they had is when he was feuding with Yokozuna in the mid 90's. Not only was Yoko his best feud to that point but he was the first guy to really beat the Taker. If they could have pushed that casket match back a few months, its would have been great Wrestlemania history. On top of that, Yoko and the Taker were friends (please someone find that source, I know I'm not crazy) so I'm sure it would have been easier for him to lay down for a friend that some up and comer.

 

[Marks "R" Us]

Much as i hate to say this I think it was in the most danger against Giant Gonzales. At Wrestlemania 9 the streak was only 2 wins long in other words practically nothing of note, and they knew that they wanted the Gonzales feud to last and for Gonzales to come off strong. Look at Taker's match against Khali at Judgment Day 2006 to get an idea of what the Mania 9 match could have been. The fact that the streak lived through that program is really a stroke of luck more than anything else.

 

[Bernkastel]

As a young fan I would not have believed that Kane could have defeated Undertaker at Wrestlemania 14 simply because it would not have felt right.The only two times I [as a fan] actually had doubts that the Undertaker might actually lose at Mania were Wrestlemania 21 against Orton, and Wrestlemania 23 against Batista.

Orton was pushed heavily throughout 2004 and 2005, and I thought it was logical for the WWE to push his "Legend Killer" gimmick by ending the Undertaker's streak. At Wrestlemania 23, Undertaker fought Batista. 'Tista had been pushed heavily the year before, and had in reality been the face of Smackdown since being put over in 2005. Even though Undertaker had won the Rumble that year I still had some doubts about him defeating Batista for the title. I recall seeing several 14-1 signs that year which lead me to further believe that other fans were on the fence about the outcome of the match as well.

 

[Richard]

I fully understand The Streak and know it will never be broken, every WrestleMania I watch knowing full well the Undertaker is going to win, but wonder how.

That being said, the two matches where there was a tiny, tiny bit of doubt in my mind was....

WrestleMania 25. HBK must have hit SCM atleast 3 times and when he kicked out of the Tombstone, a bit of doubt crept into my mind. I thought if anyone was going to do it, it would be HBK on that night but it didn't happen.

WrestleMania 27. When Triple H went for the Tombstone after bashing him with the chair, my friend I watch WM with religiously with and I were both on the edge of the lounge seat, we thought that was it but it wasn't to be again.

Those two really stick out for me as when The Streak was under threat.

 

[DiamondCaige]

I agree with the above poster. It was definitely in the most danger against HBK at Wrestlemania 25. It was a great match. A lot of back and forth and IMO, it was the best The Undertaker's put on since the Attitude Era. Some people might argue that WM26's HBK/Taker match was just as good, but I don't really think so. I think that's just because we all expected so much more out of it and we didn't get it. Good match or not, it was still a sentimental moment for me and many others because it was HBK's last match. So yes, it was in the most danger at Wrestlemania 25.

 

[The Idiot]

First of all...I assume the TS is talking about pre-match hype thinking would the Undertaker lose. If he's talking about the match itself, then of course anytime in the last 3 years.

His greatest matches were with HBK, but they were both so predictable in the outcome. There was no chance of the streak ending, same with HHH.

If you think about it, the biggest threat of the Undertakers streak coming to an end was before they even talked about it. His match with Sid at Wrestlemania 13. Although the match was on last and having a heel winning the final match is unheard of.

You can look at any of his matches with Kane...all could have easily lost.

It's pretty safe to say the Undertaker will never lose at Wrestlemania....as long as he is an active competitor they would never ruin that part of his legacy and miss out on tons of $$$ in the process.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Fortunately, when I watch a good match I turn in to a big kid and lose a lot of the cyncism and prejudice that normally exists in my mind regarding professional wrestling. So there have been plenty of times I thought the streak would end.

But going in to a WM I thought he would probably lose to Edge and in the WM 26 Michaels match. Edge cause I thought it may be a passing of the undefeated streak torch and Michaels because I never thought he would officially retire and Vince would let the guy really retire.

Good question.

 

[IrishCanadian25]

WM 17 vs Triple H and WM 21 vs Orton.

The match with H's came at a time when Triple H was probably the top heel in the business (until Austin turned) and could have easilly cheated to a victory over the Deadman. It's a tragedy that WWE glossed over that match in the WM 27 build up, because the match was epic, save for the awful live music performance.

Orton winning would have been mad believable. If memory serves, Orton had beaten Mick Foley at this point in a Hardcore match. Who was to say he couldn't knock off the Undertaker at Mania? The Legend Killer gimmick was in full effect at this point, and I really had the match 50-50 going in.

In retrospect, it's a shame 'Taker never faced Lesnar at Wrestlemania. That would have been a hot ticket.

 

[DustyTheManiac]

I believe it was in jeopardy this year when Triple H tombstoned Undertaker. for me personally to see that, I believed it was over for Undertaker. One question that should be asked is "How will Undertaker act on screen if the streak is broken?".

 

[SuperSteve16]

I think there have been four times when the streak was truly in trouble of being beaten:
Wrestlemania 14: Kane was just starting in the WWE and the in the build-up, Kane was just dominating nearly everything. He dominated the Undertaker and landed several tombstones on him. Hell, he was the only one standing after he lost after he delivered a tombstone to The Undertaker after the match!!!
Wrestlemania 21: Randy Orton was the legend killer and had defeated every other legend that stood in his way. They made him look like a huge threat in the build-up and according to some reports, The Undertaker was more than willing for Orton to end the streak, but Orton refused out of respect to the Undertaker
Wrestlemania 25: When we watched this for the first time, no-one predicted that we saw one of the greatest matches of all time. Enough said.
Wrestlemania 27: Triple H said he was going to end the streak or die trying. When he tombstoned The Undertaker, nearly everyone was holding there breath hoping the streak wouldn't end. Afterwards when Triple H was yelling at The Undertaker to stay down, it seemed like The Undertaker had nothing left...

 

[Defekt]

Throwing out all WM matches before 2001 (because the streak wasn't a big deal back then), I'd say Randy Orton had the most legit chance of ending the streak.

The streak was a big deal in 2005, but it wasn't as legendary as it is now, and the idea of "The Legend Killer" Randy Orton ending it was pretty plausible.

If you wanna get really specific, the closest The Undertaker ever came to losing the streak was in 2006, when he was actively lobbying to job for Kurt Angle at WM 22. Kurt has talked about it in some interviews. This was before the 5 star matches with Shawn, and UT felt like he'd never had an all time classic Wrestlemania match. Vince refused, and UT got Mark Henry instead.

 

[sanefan_har]

easily WrestleMania 27, that tombstone by trips gave me the chills!!!!

 

[matthewchamilliard]

for me it was wrestlemania 26 against HBK because when it was announced that HBK would put his career on the line against the streak i was thinking that there is no way vince would let go of shawn just to keep the streak in tact however looking back on it now i do understand why shawn lost with his back injuries and he wasnt a young guy anymore it probably took a toll on him physically however before i realized this i definitely would have thought 17-1

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

I never, ever thought Undertaker's streak would end after WM 21. It was too big a myth with JR calling it 'imagine going undefeated in the super bowl' and all.

I do think WM21 is a credible arguement because of Orton's gimmick at the time. Also I loved the RKO on Stacy, cold-blooded.

With that being said let me quote something from Brian's (Can I call you Brian?) thread called "If HBK hadn't lost his smile" by a poster that probably gives the best 'Taker streak end scenario that could've happened:

I wasn't much of a fan in 1997; so I might get some facts wrong

But going off what I do know (and a quick check on wikipedia) here's how I would have done things:

1: HBK defeats Sid at the Rumble to win the World Title.

2: Austin still wins the Royal Rumble.

3: at the Feb PPV: Austin's disputed win would have led to a match with Bret Hart with the winner going to Mania to face the Champ. The title match at the Feb PPV would be Sid vs HBK in a Rumble Rematch and Taker would face Vader 1 on 1.
Hart beats Austin, HBK beats Sid

4: Mania:
At this point, with Taker and Vader settled and Hart vs HBK in the main event, Austin would have needed a match

Austin would have gotten Sid and Taker in a triple threat with the winner becoming a future Number 1 contender for the Title ...and honestly, Austin probably pins taker and guess what? NO STREAK