Wrestlemania 27- The Night the Undertaker character has died

[Richard]

No as the post match injury spot was to plant the seeds of doubt in people's minds that The Undertaker could actually be defeated at WrestleMania next year as every WrestleMania that happens, his body gets weaker and weaker and the more WrestleMania's he competes in, the closer somebody will get.

The thing about The Undertaker's streak is that every year WWE makes someone get that much closer than the year before which is smart as they know that everyone knows Undertaker will never lose but they want to create a suspension of belief in the match. I know for a split second I thought the streak was over, my friend I watched it with thought it was over and he was standing on his lounge when Trips had him in the tombstone.

The Undertaker character has not died and he will be back later in the year, mark my words.

 

[berlinbrawler]

I liked the story Taker and Triple H told. It was like a classic western.
Both are getting up there in years, but the action doesn't need to be fast paced at all times. You can create a lot of drama with proper lengthy selling. The high spots were there, and Triple Hs struggle to get out of Takers submission hold was exceptionally well executed. Loved how he almost managed to use the sledge hammer but then faded away. Victory was so close, yet so far. Commendable performance.

 

[willross]

I watched the match.....Triple H was able to walk back and Undertaker wasn't for the following reasons:

1. HHH did not get Pedigreed 3 times followed by a Tombstone (though he did get one)
2. HHH didn't get spinebustered through the announce table
3. HHH didn't get speared through the Cole Mine
4. HHH didn't get hit with a chair 8 - 10 times

Undertaker was getting dominated and used the only energy he had left to lock in Hells Gate. So it made complete sense for Undertaker to be carted out cause he was easily beat up double compared to HHH.

 

[bigbear84]

What made this so special is that neither one of them has wrestled on tv in several months. This is what use to make ppvs have so much meaning. Now the product gets so watered down with maineventers going at each other every week. I know ratings would go down but I really wish things would go back to days of old with superstars facing jobbers on tv and saving the big matches for ppv.

On a side note: Triple H getting back dropped off the announce table made me hurt.

 

[yeerandee]

i really thought that undertaker was going to lose when i was watching it. the chair shot to the head was really bad. i thought they banned it in the wwe but since its triple h he could do whatever. but when he brought out the sledgehammer i thought it was gauranteed over.

but as for this post. i am glad to see this happen to him. since he beat triple h and is "the last outlaw' since he won, they could set him back up for the real undertaker gimick with ni talking and back to the old music. i hope that they bring back paul bearer if and i think is his last year. i want taker to go out really at either survivor series this year or next year with the streak intact. its where he started and its where he should finish

 

[American Steamboat]

So some people are saying that this generation of fans doesn't buy/doesn't like a 'deadman' character...I'm sorry, but has Undertaker failed to get over with today's fans? Sometimes things I read on here absolutely baffle me...

 

[Mikael941]

UT streaked continued over HHH with conditions, HHH would look like Superman and UT was to look LUCKY...remember HHH is Stephanie's hubby and with that comes a McMahon ego, the UT is very lucky his streak did not end on a Michael's run in or a mishap of sorts..... I am sure it was discussed.

Good match overall, I agree with the initial take on that UT looked a little Geriatric and HHH more youthful...I understand during the match but after would have been nice to see him WALK.....not stumble...

 

[PBA_Sensation]

The problem I have with the haters on this topic is that they just dont understand...

The WWE had the match end the way it did last night to show vulnerability. It showed Triple H as being strong, but just not strong enough. Undertaker has become more human and more fragile. It also gives the WWE an out... Whats that you ask? A way to send off the Undertaker if he so chooses that he can't continue anymore. He rides off with a win in one of his best matches ever. (the ring psychology was off the charts... look it up teenagers) If Taker wants to call it quits, he can do so without another match. How can they do that you ask? Simple.

"The Undertaker used the last of his strength to conquer the King of Kings at the biggest stage of the year. He did everything in his power to keep his streak alive, even going as far as almost killing himself."

With this, they can let him rest as long as he needs, whether its permanent or not. If he comes back, its typical Taker. If not, it gives a VERY good reason to call it quits (Storyline wise).

Now all of this is moot if this isnt a work. I myself bought into it too, but Im pretty sure its all work. Great match last night.

 

[yur_momma]

I watched the match.....Triple H was able to walk back and Undertaker wasn't for the following reasons:

1. HHH did not get Pedigreed 3 times followed by a Tombstone (though he did get one)
2. HHH didn't get spinebustered through the announce table
3. HHH didn't get speared through the Cole Mine
4. HHH didn't get hit with a chair 8 - 10 times

Undertaker was getting dominated and used the only energy he had left to lock in Hells Gate. So it made complete sense for Undertaker to be carted out cause he was easily beat up double compared to HHH.

those are good points but the simple fact of the matter is Taker lost plain and simple. when he locked on that dumb ass submission move, HE WAS BEING PINNED. the ref didnt count it and it killed the match for me. just earlier in the night del rios did an armbar and edge rolled it over and the ref made the 2 count. then taker gets a free pass for doing the same thing on the same damn show!! stupid....

 

[Tugboat Reloaded]

those are good points but the simple fact of the matter is Taker lost plain and simple. when he locked on that dumb ass submission move, HE WAS BEING PINNED. the ref didnt count it and it killed the match for me. just earlier in the night del rios did an armbar and edge rolled it over and the ref made the 2 count. then taker gets a free pass for doing the same thing on the same damn show!! stupid....

Sorry to disappoint you, but to get hold on the head of the guy he locks in the Hells Gate means his shoulders cant be on the mat!

Source: WWE.com

Since the rules are BOTH shoulders have to touch the ground this is clearly no pin.

Oh and for the thing that HHH went back, if you take this RAW into the big picture HHH showed his respect (storyline-wise) for what Taker endured. So why shouldnt he check on his opponent after the match? This was no grudge match, so there is no problem with that.

And if Taker was really hurt they wouldnt have let him move and DEFINITELY would have not let him crush on the floor outside the ring. They would have "pinned" him down as long as the medics need to get in there! Taker is one of the best when it comes to selling! Period!

 

[DethMetal]

I must say, I was really scared for Taker a little over 24 hours ago. When I saw it on the television, and saw that they showed him being taken out, it gave a tiny sigh of relief. However, that Tombstone for HHH didn't sit right. Watching it live, seeing him fall flat on his face, the music suddenly cutting off, him motionless on the floor, not blinking with the EMTs, it gave me a scare. I'm hoping it wasn't legit. Is it just Taker showing us that he should've been an actor again?

Now as far as kayfabe goes, I don't think the character is dead, but had new life breathed into it. It showed that while Taker may be the embodiment of pure evil, evil can be halted/smitted, and that's what that showed. Who knows? Maybe Kane says that he is the one who weakened Taker and they finally have their last battle. Nut ruined? Far from it...

Sorry. Longer than expected.

 

[DeathClutch]

Hi

Just of the back of WM 27, does anyone else agree that the Undertaker character has been weakened?

The match was the best on the card, delivered impeccably (when compared to the other matches), but with out a doubt definitely not the best that those two could have done.

However even though the streak is intact, and that very important..and excellent! tbh I thought if it was ever going to end it would have been last night. But, the way in which the Taker was made to look weak, disheveled, broken..and WWE.com said, and I quote, "As Triple H defiantly walked back up the entrance ramp, Undertaker attempted to stand, but collapsed in a heap on the arena floor. It was a shocking sight. Not only did it remind the WWE Universe that The Deadman is most certainly a mortal, but it made it clear that “The Streak” was nearly ended on this remarkable night"...

the UT is supposed to be immortal? Should he not have been given the change to celebrate his victory and walk out victorious? Did the WWE, make him look like the overall loser, and quite lucky to win?

And if so why? And if you don't think so, well what was WWEs plan in portraying it in such a way? And finally why was he attended to by emts, and wheeled out..and not the druids carry him out/put into a casket..would it not have fitted the character better?

Just a few thoughts and questions to pose to the IWC..

I'm not sure, I generally believe he's in for a makeover possibly American Bad Ass/Biker again for his last run, his deadman gig isn't believable any more.

In 2004 it was said Undertaker was a matter of years away from retirement and WWE were using him as a novelty act.

Seven years on look at him, he's looked HUMAN since at least early 2009 when Koslov pinned him with a suplex (or some kind of suplex) now look at his two legendary matches with Shawn, Taker should of retired the deadman after Kane left him in a vegitative state last year, how could a deadman be left brain dead?

HHH pretty much killed The Deadman gimmick IMO at WrestleMania and now Undertaker should become the Biker again and then at least he can be pinned and look human with a deadman gimmick.

It will be interesting to see how WWE plays this on Smackdown/when Undertaker returns, but the fact NO injuries came out of WrestleMania this weekend it makes me think WWE plan on revamping Undertaker with his old Biker gimmick, or Last Outlaw/Biker gimmick.

 

[Jeritron5000]

I'm not sure, I generally believe he's in for a makeover possibly American Bad Ass/Biker again for his last run, his deadman gig isn't believable any more.

In 2004 it was said Undertaker was a matter of years away from retirement and WWE were using him as a novelty act.

Seven years on look at him, he's looked HUMAN since at least early 2009 when Koslov pinned him with a suplex (or some kind of suplex) now look at his two legendary matches with Shawn, Taker should of retired the deadman after Kane left him in a vegitative state last year, how could a deadman be left brain dead?

HHH pretty much killed The Deadman gimmick IMO at WrestleMania and now Undertaker should become the Biker again and then at least he can be pinned and look human with a deadman gimmick.

It will be interesting to see how WWE plays this on Smackdown/when Undertaker returns, but the fact NO injuries came out of WrestleMania this weekend it makes me think WWE plan on revamping Undertaker with his old Biker gimmick, or Last Outlaw/Biker gimmick.

I don't see that happening. Not ever. Period. The "Deadman" Undertaker is one of the most over things in that company. It's the embodiment of legendary it would be ludicrous to return to the biker gimmick. Also, regarding the Deadman, he's looked HUMAN since Wrestlemania 20 when he brought it back. I don't exactly see how HHH killed anything. Nor do I understand the notion that the Undertaker is somehow not dead enough and how exactly that hasn't been the case for years.

 

[Jtrivera]

Seriously? Taker kicked out of three, not one, not two, but three pedigrees. And also kicked out of a tombstone, took several chair shots and still managed to pull out the win. Undertakers character was based on being the deadman and being immortal. Now if wrestling was real then everyone would have said WTF!. Even being fake people still said WTF... Point being that it didn't Hurt takers character one bit. If anything it made his character greater. At the end of the match people werent saying "oh he's weak" they were saying "holy crap he's immortal"

 

[therealblob]

Funny that all the people thinking The Undertaker is over the hill and past it fail to mention that the best matches from the last 3 Wrestlemania's have been with him!!

I remember an interview he did when he was in his Badass character and he said that he didn't want to be remembered by fans as being someone who didn't know when to retire. I think he will know when he is ready and I also think that maybe he has got just a few more matches in him. Perhaps people should remember all he has done in and for the WWE.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

That match was great IMO.. It went on forever and it was very emotional, Taker could have lost easily had Triple H not spend too much time looking at him.. But it was a good way of getting him out of the WWE again. With the way he went out, yes, it made him look weak, and also told us that he'll be missing action from the ring, without actually letting us down and not showing up.. We all should know he wasn't 100% at Mania but he worked a great match and hats of to the both of them, as for the Undertaker character, if you're talking about the deadman, then yes, they have kind of moved away from that character, and made him the las outlaw, he is more of a human character now..

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

Holy shit, no wonder I stopped posting on here with crap like this.

First off, Taker being percieved as an immortal zombie was kinda killed in like 95 when Yoko and a bunch of other guys were hurting him and the other babyfaces helped him, Taker showed emotion.

Since then, he's been doing this western undertaker badass type of thing. This didn't hurt his character at all and it WAS as good of a match as these 2 could have had. If you're going to bash it for moves not looking like a video game or your percieved "botches" as this forum LOOOOOOOOOOVES to throw around, then you're a moron. The match had a ton of emotion and raw brutality. It was a beautiful story. the finish was perfect. Taker, totally spent, would be unrealistic if he did any lift moves to HHH and locked in the submission and hung on by pure determination.

This strengthened Undertaker's character as being an insanely driven bad son of a bitch. It also made Triple H look awesome as ultra violent cerebral assassin.

He didn't break character by collapsing, it's called selling. He hasn't been the zombie in over 15 years. You guys put a magnifying glass on all the wrong things. You have a thread about the hard cam for fuck's sake. How about analysing the psychology of a match in depth, or the storytelling of the booking, or pointing out some character trait other people might not see. Instead it's "DID YOU SEE THAT BOTCH, HE STUMBLED A LITTLE ON AN IRISH WHIP" and "THE HARD CAM IZ ON TEH RONG SIDE" and "SUMMERSLAM IZ RUINED!!!"

I mean Jesus how in the hell taking a BRUUUUUTAL tombstone, several violent chair shots, 3 finishers, a spinebuster through the table, an insane bump on a dive, all from the ONE GUY on the roster who has been built up as being equally as badass an evil make the Undertaker look weaker is beyond me. Only a moron who looks for what they think is a botch and looks at MOOOOVEZZZZ would see that as weakening the Undertaker. You know what would have killed his character? If he lost. He didn't lose. The most evil, vicious wrestler on the roster beat him and beat him and beat him and through sheer grit Undertaker wins. It put him over more than dominating would have because it showed he had guts.

 

[Sheamus' Suntan]

TWJC: The Beginning has it DEAD ON.

HHH needed to be sold as brutal. It's what his character ALWAYS SHOULD HAVE BEEN. Taker is needing to be shown as beatable but actually this match, as Im sure I've posted elsewhere actually makes me wonder if this IS the last time we've seen Taker.

I mean...everyone says it has to go to 20. The streak. But does it...really?

It seemed to me like the Undertaker pretty much "killed himself", using his last gasp to put away Triple H during the match. That's what the Hells gate was meant to be in this case, his last gasp, the last element of energy from Taker.

Also the promo by HHH, saying Taker is willing to die to preserve the streak...and Taker will be back, and HHH will be waiting for him...makes me wonder if he ACTUALLY WILL be.

The match itself was amazing. Anyone knocking the match deserves shooting, seriously. No it wasnt the most technically gifted match and rest stops were used from 5 mins in but it was meant to be a physical and emotional match with HHH doing everything it took. In all fairness, I half expected a heel turn part way in the match from HHH as he started to do absolutely everything he could, even screaming at Taker in ways he's not screamed since 2004 when he was heel, telling his opponents to "Stay Down" and asking "What's wrong with you?!"

I felt excited to watch a HHH match for the first time in years because of that and I believe that this match may JUST have extended the shelf life of HHH a little. I see him and Taker doing this again next year IF Taker has 1 more match in him...but I'm not sure. I think we may have just legitimately killed The Undertaker off in character here. I think this is the end of Taker completely...

Coming into the match it felt special. It felt like both men's last match. The special entrances, the atmosphere...it DIDN'T feel like this was a general streak match. Put bluntly, I think this is the end of both men's careers in this one match.

 

[iheartfcw]

I agree, it made the Undertaker seem weak but also created an impression that Taker is all that people make him out to be whixh is a bad thing. He is meant to have a scary intimidating persona and making him collapse made him seem weak.

I think they will keep Taker out for a few months like they normally do. I have a feeling that they may rekindle the fued with Kane. Kane is getting very old and I doubt he will win another makor title in the WWE. What I feel they should do is do something like Kane used powers to weaken the Undertaker (something crazy like that) and they start a fued. This will be a perfect send off as they can say Kane was always jelous of his brother blah blah blah. They make Kane retire and rectify Undertakers persona.

After that I hope before WM 28 Undertaker says the deadman will finally leave blah blah blah and BOOM, out comes Alberto Del Rio. They fued until Mania where Taker wins and we never see Undertaker again.

 

[Cena's #1 Fan]

Only time will tell. Taker has "died" many a times. Who knows? The guy is getting up there in age in terms of wrestling. I know some guys go into their 50's and 60's but not the deadman. People complaining that he should retire? Why because he gets lots of time off? Okay so I guess so should HHH. And i guess keep stone cold and rock off tv? Keep Jim Ross of tv? No. Do you not realize that undertaker alone probably sells 25% of mania tix. I bet he does. The streak, his amazing character, the entrance, his balls out matches. I don't see John Cena diving over the ropes, or going through tables, or kicking out of several finishers. He just gets beat on, two flying shoulders, does his little slam, 5 knuckle whatever, goes for fu, gets bowed in the face twice, reverses opponents finsher goes for stfu or the fu again, so please!!

If it weren't for taker we wouldn't have the two greates hell in a cell matches in history. casket matches. buried alive matches. last ride matches. classics with hbk, angle at no way out 06, amazing lighting effects and pyro and entrances. he is the epitomy of professional wrestling. going injured and everything else. pulling out all the stops in his matches. he's put over more people in wrestling than jobbers from the late 80's and early 90's.

He'll make his return. He'll go 20-0 at mania with a very good match. Undertaker is wwe, he is wrestlemania, he is an immortal and a legend. Overall i believe he will go down as the greates of all time.

 

[futurediva15]

Oh, I agree 100 percent! The Undertaker won the match after applying Hell's Gate for what seemed like forever, showing incredible strength and toughness from HHH. Undertaker has long been seen as the toughest and most brutal man in the WWE, and he showed weakness. While Triple H walked out of the arena, Taker was carted out and couldn't even walk. The Undertaker won, streak intact, but he showed weakness, while Triple H walked out with class and dignity. I mean, he didn't even celebrate his victory, it was a hard fought match, much respect to both competitors, but in the end, HHH really won here.

 

[iwinulose]

-i dont want to see the streak broken, and when taker does retire have him win at WM, then be carried out by drunes. undertaker's profile moved to the alumni, he goes out quietly like he always does. as triple hhh said, the undertaker will always be a legend, and he will always be the phenom.
-as already suggested, im imagining this was done to make taker look weak, basically to put over taker saying that he will destroy himself to keep the streak intact kinda makes him seem like he wont ever just lay down and die (specially not at WM) and that the task of beating him in a match is one that almost no one is capable of. on the other hand he was more human then anyone has ever seen him, but he is still the deadman and he will be back.....by next years WM.

 

[Xemmy]

I agree with your point on Undertaker's character being ruined. This is the first time in his long career where someone who was smaller than him was potrayed as physically superior. While I agree with Hamler that they were trying to make the Streak seem impossible to beat, I was very, very angry with how the end of the match was booked. The Undertaker is called The Undertaker for a reason. He's not Mark Callaway. He's the 7 foot Deadman, impervious to pain, and pretty much unbeatable in a fair fight.

At Wrestlemania, they made Triple H > The Undertaker- And I don't care if he's 60. You don't do that. Undertaker's protected that character so fiercely over the years. I think it's wrong to break it before he retires for good. And even then, I don't think Triple H deserves that honor. There are only two men that were good enough be able to do that- Shawn Michaels, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

 

[Cena's #1 Fan]

I've read that their thinking about hhh taker III next year at mania.

good God almighty i hope not. that would be tragic. and too damn repetitive.

and if it does happen, god forbid triple h from winning because we all know he took the smartes way up the ladder and that was marrying the man's daughter. and we all know she wants beak nose paul to end the streak.

if hhh ends the streak, let alone anyone, i'll immediately shut off the ppv, and never watch wwe programming again. that would be a disgrace to the undertaker, mania, and true fans of the greatest of all time.


If you want him to retire, have him tomstone his opponent(Please lord let vince get kurt angle back so we can see it) and have him drop to his knee, the fireworks go off with the 20-0 and then have him stand up, shake kurts hand, and the lights go out, GOOOONNNGGGG..... they come back on and there's the urn in the middle of the ring. not only would that be epic, it would be a concrete statement that the undertaker is gone and that's all i got to say about that.

 

[Linubidix..]

As someone else already stated, I think that they're doing this in an attempt to humanize the Undertaker's character. Of course I have no clue but I'm guessing what they're aiming for is a blend between his Deadman persona with his biker gimmick. Back in 2001-03 The Undertaker's character was primarily about respect and his mic-work was very natural. And I think they want to incorporate the respect persona and the style of mic-work with the supernatural elements of the deadman.