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So i wasn't doing much over the weekend and I noticed on My hard dive that i have this pack of The Undertaker's 2009 & 2019 year of all his matches and promos and me being a huge Taker fan though why not, you know. So i began with 2009 and I wanted just to fit it all in one post but considering how much i wrote and back that he spent some time off I'm gonna have to split it into 2 parts so here's part I January-April.
Smackdown 01/09/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Shelton Benjamin
Really good 12 minute TV match here, that really let me remember how good Shelton is/was in the ring when he needs to be. As for Taker he was pretty much winding down but still competing at a high level. This was maybe 2/3 week before the Rumble and I don’t think this had much of a backstory to it aside from both men are in the rumble. I loved the beginning of the match with Shelton doing the stick and move offense to keep taker way but gets caught which leads to Taker working on the arm soften him up for “OLD SCHOOL†and he does hit it, but he continues to work it which was pretty AWESOME! Cause I can’t remember the last time Taker actually stuck to working the arm after “Old School†Taker would then go to the bread and butter offense and attempt the big boot after the snake eyes but Shelton counters it with a chop block and begins to work on the left leg, to which Taker sold really well. The match really made Shelton look aggressive and smart with all his purpose was taking out the knee and the reason why I said smart was, I’ve seen it done quite a bit in today’s WWE is that a wrestler would start working on the leg then 1 minute later start targeting the head or an arm and just totally forget the leg. The world eventually breakdown in so a back-and-forth contest with both men trading moves but not high impact moves, anyway the match ends when Shelton does for a float over I think in the corner but Taker catches him and delivers a Tombstone for the win. ***1/2
Smackdown 01/23/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Shelton Benjamin
This is the go-home edition of Smackdown right before the Royal Rumble. This wasn’t as good as their first match together but I like that they played off moments that happen in the first like, Shelton trying to do the stick on move punches to start but Taker wasn’t having any of it and took it to him. I also liked that Shelton had a counter for Taker trying to work the arm so Taker just left it alone. Shelton was just as aggressive in this one but it was in a different way, in the first match he tried to work on the leg but in this it was like he realized the knee wasn’t gonna work so he just wanted to out punch and just try to beat him up instead, In fact. I don’t think Shelton targeted the knees at all. This was also a lot slower than the first and a lot more back-and-forth too with was nice seeing Shelton get this much offense in. The moment of the match was defiantly Taker going for the chokeslam but Shelton counters to land on his feet then hit this AWESOME! Impeller DDT but that only gets a 2 count. The match would end when Shelton gets in the mount position but he lets up for a second and Taker applies the “Hell's Gate†But JR calls it the “Devils Gate†Oh I should also add JR and Taz on commentary are pretty underrated. ***
Royal Rumble 2009 – Rumble Match
The pack I downloaded has the match when Taker comes in at number 16, and I’m too lazy to download the whole show so I’m just gonna watch this one. The guys in the ring so far are Orton, Triple H, Jericho, Mysterio, Knoxs, Finley, Cody, Ted and JT “FUCKIN’†G Anyway Taker is in a #16 and he immediately throws JTG out As you know I really don’t like reviewing rumble match as far too much shit happens at once or nothing happens so I’m just gonna mention the stuff I liked. Like Jericho/Punk interaction, Punk/Regal interactions and Taker also got busted open the hard way I think it was a Finley punch or Punk Kick. But the real moment of the match was KANE coming in at #23 and the BROTHERS OF DESTRUCTION! Reform and kill everyone. OH SHIT! I totally forgot RVD’s surprise entrance in this match too, the reaction was fuckin’ great and I LEGIT laughed when it took JR like 3 seconds to realize RVD was back, anyway RVD gets his usual stiff kicks and normal spots in and boy it looks sloppy. The Brian Kendrick #26 he eliminates Kofi then Triple H throws him out like seconds after so I think he was in for a total of 20 seconds #27 is Dolph and he has quite possible the worse generic song ever, anyway he starts beating on guys and as he’s doing the “Hi! I’m Dolph Ziggler†gimmick he tries to shake KANE’s hand be KANE just throws him out and I think he’s total was 20 seconds too. BUT SHIT GETS EVEN MORE HILARIOUS WHEN SANTINO COMES IN AT #28 AND BREAKS WARLORD'S RECORD! Not much happens for a while until Show comes out at #30 and he and Taker start interacting with one another. Actually forget what I said before the moment of the match so far was the 30 seconds that Jericho/Taker had together it started with Jericho eliminating RVD and he has a huge smile on his face until he realizes Taker is standing right behind him. He tries to eliminate him but Taker counters him with a whip into the rope but Jericho gives him a codebreaker and tries throw taker out but Taker gets the better of him and throws him out. OH SHIT! I forgot about the spot when Show does the “Close Elimination Spot!†you know the Michaels spot when his feet almost comes close to touching the floor but it doesn’t. Anyway Orton hits Show with an RKO into the top rope, and he falls out. And Taker begins to fight Orton off but Show pulls Taker down to the floor and the match cuts off here thankfully.
Smackdown 01/30/2009 – Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry (w/Tony Atlas)
Taker does his usual 3 minute EPIC entrance and the Mark comes out AMPED AND PUMPED UP! Water all over him and he’s just shouting. For what 5/6 minutes this was great, Taker tried to gain control with a headlock early on but Mark was like fuck this and gave him a nasty shoulderblock so Taker when to the striking game, but again Mark said fuck this and took the power strikes to him. Taker going for “Old School†but Mark catches him in mid-air with ease was great, he would continue to use power moves to keep Taker down. Taker’s comeback was the usual moves punches, flying clothesline and he also hit a Chokeslam on Mark then puts him in the “Hell’s Gate†for the tapout. **1/2
Smackdown 02/06/2009 The Undertaker & Triple H vs. Edge & The Big Show
All 4 men get full entrances, so Show and Edge take like a combined 2 minutes to come down, but Taker and HHH take at least 5 minutes combined. But as for the match it was really good just wish it was longer than 9 minutes, Show and Taker starting the match off with the usual quick and AWESOME! Striking. Triple H was beating on Edge in the corner and show yells out “EDGE WHAT ARE YOU DOING†:lamo as you would expect this was mostly Edge/HHH with Triple H being in control for the majority of it until Show got the blind tag and they started the hot-tag segment which was good but not great. I think the only reason it was good was Show and Edge wasn’t aggressive enough like a Benoit/Eddie would be or a well-oiled team but they would just get some moves in then tag out with no real communication, but I guess because they are not a LEGIT team I’m over exaggerating this, and the 2nd reason it was good was the lack of crowd caring at all about this. That really hurt it. They did do an AWEOMSE! FAKE hot tag moment that kind of got the crowd into it. But they would just die down again. Taker’s hot tag ruled too as everything he hit was on point and was great, the moment of it was defiantly Edge hitting him with a spear but doesn’t go for a cover with allows Taker to apply the “Hells Gate†but show Breaks it up with a leg-drop, AWESOME play off the WM 24 match. The match would end when Triple H would try a Pedigree but Big Show stops him with a Chokeslam! He would then pick Edge up but Edge would shove him away and say “What the hell is your problem?†and shoved him, Show would reply back with a KNOCKOUT PUNCH! Triple H would then tag in The Undertaker and Taker finishes it with the Tombstone. **1/2
Raw 02/09/2009 – The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton
OH SHIT! Michael Cole mentioning that these two feuded in the past AWESOME! Back-and-forth striking to start match these two have chemistry together, I really do need to watch this feud back again. I was so pissed that this match started off this fast then cut to commercial just to comeback and have Orton headlocking Taker, but that doesn’t last long. Jesus! Orton’s heel work is so basic that I forgot how much I loved it, he was doing the “headlocks†and the stomps you remember them he would stomp the arm, chest, leg and head. Oh shit he even pulls out the uppercut. I loved Taker’s comeback too with usual moves but what made it great was Orton’s bumping for the, the match ends when Taker goes for a Chokeslam but Orton counters it and tries the RKO but that doesn’t work he then tries the Tombstone but Legacy run down for the 3-1 beatdown, BUT OUT OF NOWHERE YOUNG SIMBA RUNS DOWN AND ATTACKS ORTON! This allows Taker to chokeslam Cody and Shane hits the Cost-To-Cost on Ted. Orton stares down Shane from the ramp and “Here comes the money†plays WIN! Dammit though the match needed more fucking time. **
Smackdown 02/13/2009 – WrestleMania 13 Video package & Undertaker promo
They show a WrestlerMania 13 rewind video showing Rocky Maivia and the Bret/Austin match. They then Show Taker beating Sid for the title and the video cuts into Taker cutting a promo about he will only have one ally in the Chamber match, the chamber itself which he will use to inflict the maximum amount of pain. Victory is his destiny. As for the others; their fate is sealed. Six will enter and five will rest in peace.
Smackdown 02/13/2009 – Fatal Four way match: The Undertaker vs. Triple H vs. The Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov
Really enjoyable match here, with all hell breaking loose early on instead of doing that Blue having wrestlers tag in during a 4-way match, GOD! That fuckin’ annoying. The early part was Show/HHH in one corner and the other was Taker/Vlad but Taker says the hell with this and throws Vlad out so he and HHH can double team show and takes him out, which leads us to some HHH/Taker interactions which ruled the back-and-forth stuff with counters, OWNED! But show would cut it off and attack both men, which would lead to Show and HHH in the ring and Vlad/Taker on the outside before going to a commercial. When we come back Vlad & Show are now double teaming HHH while Taker is selling on the outside, which was pretty boring due to Vlad sucking and Show not doing much. Thankfully Show turns on Vlad and hits him with a chokeslam but Taker breaks it up and turns it up with his AWESOMENESS! The match really featured the basic 2 wrestlers in the ring, while one is on the outside selling and the other is in the ring selling. But they did manage to keep my attention which was nice, that was mainly because the cut out rest holds and went, move-move-move alright a different wrestler in the ring move-move-move. The match would end when Kozlov takes Show down with a running head butt. But Triple nails him with the Pedigree! But he turns right into a Tombstone from the Undertaker! Undertaker goes for the pin but Big Show stops him and hits the Chokeslam! Suddenly, Edge comes out of nowhere and Spears the Big Show, the ref calls for the bell IDK why because I thought all 3-ways and 4-ways were NoDq/No Countout but I guess not. My rating would have been higher if this would have gotten a LEGIT finish. **3/4 - ***
No Way Out 2009 - Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship: The Undertaker vs. The Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov vs. Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Edge
Jeff and Edge start the match and they do some stuff, with Jeff looking somewhat motivated and Edge did a great job with his eyes selling being worried about the other guys in the pods. But the shocking moment of it all was Edge going for the Spear but Jeff catches him with a small package for a 3 count that was like 3 minutes into the match. Vlad is in next and for the first time he doesn’t look awful in the ring, maybe it’s because Jeff was bumping around for which made his offense look a million times more brutal. Vlad pretty much dominates this with throws, shoulder blocks and using his own head a as a weapon. Until Show comes out next and he and Vlad work over Jeff which lasted way too long, but it was pretty hilarious seeing them play the “whatever punishment you can do I can pull out a even more violent moveâ€. While keeping their eye on the other man, hey would eventually start to brawl and exchange blows with Show’s punch looking great while Vlad’s forearms look awful. Thankfully Triple H is out next and he murders everyone, until Show cuts him off and stuff gets boring again. Taker is last out of the pod and he begins to rip shit up punching the fuck out of Show and Vlad, he then tries to pick up Vlad for snake eyes but Vlad fucks it up so the move looks awful. Oh shit I also forgot about the AWESOME! Moment when Taker is goitng for the “Old School†on Triple H but while walking the ropes he sees Show getting to his feet on the outside so he leaps on to him but show catches him by the throat and tries the chokeslam but Taker counters with a DDT on the steel and sits up, back in the ring and then hits the “Old School†on Triple H. Vlad begins to attack Taker and mounts him in the corner, but Taker gives him the Last Ride coming out and pins him. Lol the elimination was 20 minutes after Edge’s, the match really begins to pick up again with HHH and Jeff bumping like crazy for Show and another AWESOME! Moment was Jeff climbing the chamber onto one of the pods and Show goes up to get him but Taker cuts him off and delivers a superplex from the top/middle rope H gives Show a Pedigree and Hardy leaps off the top of the pod for a Swanton to a great pop and he pins Show. I was kinda hoping we would get more Jeff/Taker interaction before he was eliminated but that wasn’t the case moment after Show was gone Jeff crotches Taker on the ropes and as Taker is getting back to his knees Jeff uses his back as a springboard and does the “Poetry emotion AKA Air Hardy†to Triple H on the outside. Jeff gets back to his feet and is against the ropes, which allows Taker to pick him up with the Tombstone and the pin. TRIPLE H VS. THE UNDERTAKER! FUCK YEAH! The mini-match here was good but it really didn’t great until they started trading finishers. However I did love the Snake Eyes spot but as Taker is going for the big boot Triple H manages to hit a spinebuster which only gets 2. But that would be topped when Taker picks up HHH up and it looks like he’s gonna use him as a battering ram but that gets reversed over the top rope and back into the ring for a Tombstone position only for Taker to reverse again and hits the Tombstone that would only get a 2 count, a minute later Triple H would hit the Pedigree which also only gets a close 2. Then the match would end when Triple H mounts Taker in the corner, and Taker would pick him up for the Last Ride, the same spot he and Vlad did earlier but this time Triple H counter but leaping over his head and hit the 2nd Pedigree for the win. ***1/2 - ***3/4
Smackdown 02/27/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov
Vlad is still undefeated at this point, the match pretty much starts out with Taker wanting to strike with him so Vlad gets him in a headlock and Taker gets out, but Vlad catches him with a shoulder tackle they do that spot twice so Taker says FUCK THIS and kicks Vlad in the head. WWE also hurt this match with having a commercial 3 minutes into the match and when we comeback they showed us all the good back and forth action we missed with Taker going kidney first into the barricade and then Taker throwing him into the ring post Anyway, Vlad begins to take over with power-moves then slows it down with a side headlock. Takers comeback was really good too not much to really write about apart from he got his normal moves in which got the crowd popping, Vlad also fucked up the snake eyes spot again. Another problem I have with the match was the ending which came out of nowhere as Taker just about to hit the “Old School†but Vlad pulls Taker off towards him and catches him in mid-air for a powerslam and the 3 count, WHAT! A powerslam. **1/2
Raw 03/02/2009 – The Undertaker Appearance
So after Michaels beats Vladimir, Undertaker comes out and stares down Michaels from the ramp.
Smackdown 03/06/2009 – The Undertaker promo
The Undertaker comes down to the ring and gets on the mic, He says for most of his existence, others have chosen to stay clear of his path – he was the one in pursuit of the hunt. But times have changed. And that angers him. WrestleMania is the night he has chosen to show his peers what the Undertaker represents. Yet people need to feed their egos and endless souls line up to make a name for themselves at his expense, and he takes it as a personal insult. He says he accepts Shawn's challenge for WrestleMania (They air a video package of WrestleMania moments featuring Shawn Michaels) The Undertaker then says Shawn Michaels was very clever but chose the wrong man to play mind games with and it will make things worse for him. He says Shawn is an icon, but for 16 WrestleManias, they have come and fallen, and his fate will be no different. Shawn claims to have inner peace, but the time for prayer has only just begun. Undertaker then finishes it with the “sometimes it is hell trying to get to heaven†line.
Raw 03/09/2009 – The Undertaker & Shawn Michaels promo
Shawn Michaels comes down to the ring and gets on the mic, he says 16-0 at WrestleMania a a streak so extraordinary, no one could even think of replicating it. But said when it comes to show-stopping performances, he is no slouch himself. That's why on Friday he interrupted Taker's promo with a video package of his greatest Wrestlemania moments Shawn says he respects The Undertaker, but he's not afraid of him. He says Taker may be 16-0, but he is Mr. Wrestlemania. He says he's never been outperformed on the grandest stage and he never will. And that streaks are meant to be broken, good things must come to an end and nothing lasts forever. Michaels said at WrestleMania, something’s gotta give. The lights go out and an Undertaker video package airs of all his 16 Mania wins. When the video ends the lights came back on, AND TAKER IS IN THE RING BEHIND SHAWN! AWESOME! Without even turning around, Shawn said “hello Undertaker, I’ve been expecting you.†Taker says Shawn's arrogance has clouded his judgement he respects Shawn, but he’s fought many people he’s respected and they’ve all fallen. Shawn said he and Taker have taken very different career paths and different life paths. Shawn says he shouldn't have to qualify for anything at Wrestlemania. He says he revolutionized the ladder match, wrestled for an hour to win the title, and retired Ric Flair. He says he's still the showstopper and he can't wait for this. Taker then says Shawn has had epic victories at WrestleMania, but then again he’s had bitter defeat, despite all of his achievements, the dream of beating him at WrestleMania is a dream that will be soon laid to rest. Taker says Shawn concerns himself with being the showstopper, and with winning a match and breaking the streak. Taker says he should concern himself with what he's going to do with him physically, and what he will do to his soul. He says he doesn't need to steal the show, but Shawn will realize that he is the most dangerous entity to enter the ring. He says Shawn should have been more careful with what he wished for, because he's opened hells gates. Taker is just about to say Shawn would REST IN….. But Michaels would cut him off and say he'll rest quite comfortably because he'll know he did the impossible, and that's ended Taker's streak. Shawn reminds him that even though he's beaten all of his Wrestlemania opponent's he's never beaten Shawn, and he never will.
Smackdown 03/13/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov
This was a lot better than their first match together which was 2 week ago, Vlad still can’t punch for shit but Taker was still pissed that he lost the first match so he came out super aggressive and violent and just went straight for the striking really dominating Vlad until Vlad started using his head as a battering ram. I should also mention Vlad was bumping really well for Takers moves in the early portion; Taker did the same when Vlad began to take over too working on the head with headlocks and punches, no real moves. But yeah this was a total carry job by Taker and I might be wrong but this was Vlad’s best one-on-one match ever. The match would end when Taker would hit the “Old School†Then the chokeslam, but decides he’s not done so he picks Vlad up and ends it with the Tombstone. **3/4
Raw 03/16/2009 – The Undertaker & Shawn Michaels vs. John Bradshaw Layfield & Vladimir Kozlov
Perfectly acceptable tag match here, it was pretty much an “Angle advancement†to further put over the Michaels/Taker feud. The match starts with Vlad and Michaels in the ring and Vlad throws HBK down so he sticks his hand out for Taker to tag in but he doesn’t so Shawn goes and attacks Vlad but that doesn’t work either so he just tags Takers chest and he’s now in the match Taker comes in and rip shit up the stares down Michaels with the “That’s how you get shit done†look on his face as we go to commercial. Back and Michaels is now in full control on offense taking it to JBL so be begins to get cocky and goes for the SCM but Vlad takes a run at Michaels on the apron but he ducks and turns right into a big boot to the face by JBL, and they begin the heel-segment on Michaels which was alright JBL was pretty brutal with strikes while Vlad just does rest holds to waste time. Taker’s how tag Ruled like it always does as he quickens the pace and hit the trade mark spots, the match ends when Taker was measuring JBL for the chokeslam but Michaels blind tags himself in and nails JBL with the Sweet Chin Music and the 3 count. Post-Match: Taker is PISSED! So he stalked Shawn up the ramp, but Michaels goes into the back as Taker stops on the stage he does the “Taker look back†looks back to the ring allowing SHAWN TO COME BACK OUT AND HIT TAKER WITH THE SWEET CHIN MUSIC! ** - **1/4
Smackdown 03/20/2009 - The Undertaker vs. John Bradshaw Layfield
Before the match Taker gets on the mic and says make no mistakes about it, Shawn is the prey, and he is the hunter and when he least expects it, he will feel the wrath of the Undertaker. The match was damn good and it brings back memories of their 2004 feud together, where it was just a brutal slugfest brawl match from bell-to-bell, both men throwing awesome punches throughout. I will admit the commercial breaks hurt the pacing on the match it just came at the wrong time. But when we do comeback Taker hit the leg drop on the ring apron and he goes to whip JBL into the barricade but he reverses it and send Taker knee first in security wall and he smartly begins to work on Taker’s legs with stomps, kicks and using the ropes as a weapon too he even used the Figure-Four and they do this AWESOME! Spot where taker is laying on his back but sits up and grabs JBL’s throat and it looks like he’s gonna pick him up for the chokeslam but JBL counters with a chop block and begins to work on the leg again but only briefly because Taker starts the comeback while still selling the leg. I loved the near fall with Taker again going for the chokeslam but JBL kicks the knee and hit him with the CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL! But the match would end when JBL is going to pick Taker up be he counters it into Hell’s Gate and JBL taps. ***
Raw 03/23/2009 – The Undertaker promo
The lights go out for at least a minute then the purple light comes in and Taker is already standing in the ring, AWESOME! He says Shawn Michael’s bold and brash behavior has taken their issue to a whole new level. He tells Michaels that his obsession with being "Mr. WrestleMania" has made his ability to decipher between what is fantasy and what is reality. Undertaker said it was true he has never beaten Shawn Michaels in a one-on-one match, not even once, but he reminds him that the last time they did battle, Michaels spent five years at home in agonizing pain trying to recover. Undertaker says at WrestleMania we'll find out if HBK is really afraid of The Undertaker and he reminds Shawn that when he's standing across the ring from him at WrestleMania and he's questioning his own faith, he has to remember that he was the one that opened the gates to hell. Shawn Michaels’ music but he doesn’t come out in fact he’s shows up on the tron saying that Undertaker's streak is made to be broken. He's in a cemetery, saying that it might be sacrilegious for him to be there, but he calls it defiance. He says that he respects Taker, but he's not afraid of him and he brings up the last sixteen WrestleMania opponents that The Undertaker has left to rot in hell. He says he's not afraid and then he runs down the entire list of Undertaker's victories, complete with highlights. AWESOME! He even points out that a fresh grave has been dug, surrounding by the darkness of death, but it's not for HBK, and it’s for Taker's undefeated WrestleMania streak. It won't just be buried six feet under, but it will be buried all the way to the evil depths of hell. Michaels kicks over the gravestone and watches it fall into the freshly-dug grave, saying "Undefeated streak....REST....IN...PEACE". A new gravestone appears with a 16-1 etched into it as Michael’s shovels dirt into the grave. When we come back to the ring, Undertaker is staring a hole through the tron, pacing around the middle of the ring, showing all these emotion in a space of 15 seconds. Lawler wonders if the Undertaker is going to be the same at WrestleMania with Michaels getting into his head and if Michaels has a death wish. FUCKIN’ AWESOME STUFF HERE!
Smackdown 03/27/2009 – Shawn Michaels' Tribute to the Undertaker
A bunch of druids in white come out to the ring and surround it they even added the white smoke, then some songs plays it was the same on HBK used before he real song at WM 25, anyway. A man comes out slow walk and all dressed in white which would be Shawn Michaels AWESOME! He says in beginning, God created the heavens and Earth, and to begin, it was only darkness. And God said, "Let there be light." and there was light. He saw the light and that it was good, and divided the light from dark. He called the light day and the darkness night. Genesis, chapter 1. He says he and The Undertaker represent both darkness and light, and they've coexisted here for almost 20 years, but they've taken very different paths. Taker walks in the shadows, but he thrives in the spotlight. Taker strikes fear in the hearts of his opponents, but as he walks through the valley of the shadow of death, he will fear no evil, for thou art with me. He has eternal life, victory over the grave, but the same cannot be said for The Streak. When he faces Mr. WrestleMania, the man he has never beaten, his Streak will come to an end and only he will ascend victorious. Shawn Michaels’ music starts playing and he does hit usual dancing, but suddenly THE UNDERTAKER CLIMBS THROUGH THE MAT FROM UNDER THE RING HOLY SHIT! WIN! He goes for the Chokeslam, but Shawn slipped out to the apron and he quickly leaves and retreated to the back. Taker signals for the end. Man this just better and better each week.
Raw 03/30/2009 – The Undertaker & Shawn Michaels promo
They show video highlights of the Shawn/Taker segment from Smackdown, and we go back to the ring and there is a funeral set in the middle of the ring. It has a casket and a few funeral wreaths and even pictures of his wins over Taker next to the casket. Shawn Michaels comes out all in black, and he says he stands her as a man unafraid; the entire procession is not for him, but for Undertaker. Shawn says the streak ceases to exist this Sunday and his undefeated streak at WrestleMania will cease to exist. They've fought before, and it's always been him who's come out on top, and he's never been able to beat him. Shawn says in Taker's illustrious career the only thing he hasn't accomplished is beating Shawn. Shawn promises this Sunday will be no different. He goes over what he's done the past few weeks with the superkick, the graveyard promo, and the tribute to Taker on Friday. Shawn says he's done it all without the slightest bit of consequence, and not a hint of retribution. Shawn opens the casket, and reveals that Taker is not inside and says there will not be any retribution. Taker said he uses WrestleMania as an opportunity to show what he represents, but he takes the fact that he doesn't think he can end The Streak as a personal insult. Shawn says he's Mr. Wrestlemania, and this Sunday every moment over the past 24 years will pale in comparison to what he achieves. Shawn says the next day they'll talk about the title matches, legends, ladders, and 70,000 people, but the moment everyone will remember will be when Shawn Michaels pins The Undertaker. THE LIGHTS GO OUT! TAKER IS IN THE RING, BUT SHAWN IS GONE! Taker shows his frustration that his mind games aren't working brilliantly by destroying the set, he then turns his attention to the casket, he opens it but Shawn isn't in there either. Taker turns around, but Shawn slides out from underneath the casket and delivers sweet chin music. I LOVE THIS FEUD!
WrestleMania 25 - The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
This match right here, oh boy. I loved the entrances from Shawn coming down in this elevator all in white with this lighter version of Takers theme before Sexyboy hits then Taker coming up from the depths of hell, WHAT? It’s not as good as the 26 coming up from hell cause that one had freakin’ green lasers. But this was just as enjoyable. Now on to the match, the opening Saw Shawn sticking and moving using his quickness to piss off taker and possible but doubt in Takers head that “Maybe He Can’t beat Shawn†Shawn FAKING! A knee injury 4 minutes in was hilarious, but Taker used that as motivation for when he was on offense just to beat the shit out of him. Michaels’ bumping in this match was AWESOME! A couple of minutes later Taker would miss the running big boot in the corner which would allow Michaels to begin working on the leg with a figure-four but Taker had an great break up for it, he would pull HBK towards him and punch him in the face. Takers selling post that, was spotty as fuck as he would do a bunch of power moves then remember he had his legs worked on slap it one then time and that’s all it took for the knee to be fine now. Another thing I like was it was probably mid match when Taker is going for the chokeslam but Michaels counter into the crossface and has him locked in it for at least a minute but Taker would get out of it and hit a side walk slam. They do some more great back and forth action, and they do another AWESOME! Spots where Shawn goes to hit SCM out of nowhere but Taker just falls onto his back out of instants and to ensure he doesn’t get hit by it so Michaels’ goes for the figure-four again but Taker counter that into “Hell’s Gate†Michaels ends up getting to the ropes and the fight on the outside. SHIT BEGINS TO GET REAL! First Michaels misses a moonsault or it looks like Taker just shoves him away in mid-move but then seconds later, Taker goes for the Vintage dive but Michaels pulls a camera man in front of him to take the full attack BUT! They completely miss where the dive is gonna be so Taker lands on his FUCKIN’ HEAD AND NECK, I’m shocked he didn’t break hi fuckin’ neck on that. I love the rest spot they used to cover up that Taker might be dead as the whole crowd is pretty much silent at this point and they just look at Taker on the floor, so Shawn asks the ref to count him out and he does. This is when they get the crowd back into it as they begin to get louder-and-louder as Taker slowly makes it back to the ring. AND NOW THE MATCH GETS FUCKIN’ EPIC AS THEY BEGIN TO TRADE FINISHERS! So Taker makes it in to the ring on the 9 count and Michaels goes for SCM but Taker grabs the throat and delivers a chokeslam for a great near-fall. Minutes later Michaels again goes for SCM but Taker again grabs the throat but this time Michaels’ slaps the hand away and hits SCM. Oh shit the Last Ride counter into the sunset flip just for Taker to grab Michaels with both hands and back to his and nail the last ride was another awesome false-finish. But shit gets even great with probably the best false-finish I’ve ever seen okay Taker throws Michaels’ over the top rope and Michaels being Michaels’ has to do the skinning the cat thing and try to come over the ropes again, well Taker sees this and catches him in mid-move in the tombstone position and Michaels’ try’s to fight him off but that doesn’t work and he hits the tombstone but Michaels kicks out in like 2 and 9ths of a second. TAKER’S FACE SOLD IT TREMENDOUSLY. Oh then they ruin the awesome stretch but countering the tombstone into the DDT but Taker didn’t hit his head at all and Michaels took all the punishment on the back. The Michaels tuning up the back and actually delivering SCM was a hell of a false-finish too. The match would end when they would trade offenses but Michaels would get the better of the two but he would go up to the rope and attempt the moonsault from the top but Taker would catch him in the tombstone position and connect with it for the 3 count and the win. HOLY SHIT! The finish was ridiculously smart and it helped the rematch the following year with the story of Shawn wrestling a near perfect match but made that one mistake and it costed him immortality. ****3/4
Superstars 04/16/2009 – The Undertaker vs. Matt Hardy
This was Takers first match since WM25, which was 2 weeks ago. Matt was a heel here as he turned on his brother for the 410th time and costed him the WWE Championship. The match is like 10 minutes long and the commercials really hurt the pacing of it. But from what I saw this was damn enjoyable as Taker was aggressive like always with everything he throw looked great and as for Matt he bumped like the Matt I like. The first 6 minutes was all Taker but he goes for the chokeslam but for some reason he held the choke on and looked at the crowd allowing matt to hit a neckbreaker but I also think he tried to hit the twist of fate, who knows it just looked awful. Anyway he begins to work the head and neck, cause he’s a smart man kinda and he watched the dive he took at Mania which almost broke Takers neck. Matt’s butterfly submission was pretty great, best thing he did in the whole match. Taker’s comeback was even better than normal as Matt goes up to the middle rope and he goes to leap of with an axe handle but in mid-air Taker kills him with a nasty boot. The match would end when Undertaker calls for the chokeslam again, but Matt bails to the floor and grabs a chair, then drops it, as he circles the ring. But decides he doesn’t want to get back in so he takes the count out loss. Post-Match: Jeff now hits the ring and beats Matt down. They brawl ringside, and Jeff throws him into the ring where Taker is still standing and he gives Matt the chokeslam. **1/2
Smackdown 4/17/2009 – The Undertaker vs. Shelton Benjamin
This not as good as their first match together but much better than the second. Shelton does the smart thing instead of working the legs like you usually do he works the head and neck. The early part of the match was great with instead of Shelton getting the quick start, Taker started off really quick and took it right to Shelton cause he knew the neck was hurting. So he tried to get the entire signature shit in like “Old School†but they do this great spot with Taker going for a suplex but Shelton is able to float over the top and hit the neck breaker and starts to take over. He really begins to slow the pace down with a side head lock he even threw a sick elbow and knee to the side of the head. Man Shelton’ s aggressiveness was great here, as he didn’t let up for a second and he didn’t do any silliness E.G. stop working the neck/head and target an arm for no reason. They do this awesome spot when Shelton does this awesome leap to the top rope but Taker catches him and tries to chokeslam Shelton but Shelton this time counters into a DDT for a good near-fall. The match ends when Shelton begins to get cocky and he does the cutthroat taunt, he picks Taker up for the tombstone but Taker backwards reverses it and hits a tombstone of his own for the win. ***1/4
Smackdown 04/24/2009 The Undertaker vs. The Big Show
This match fuckin’ ruled Show & Taker have that underrated chemistry, I don’t think people understand how great most of their 2008 matches were and this was on the level if not better than those. So before the match Show gets on the mic and cuts a promo about how he’s leaving SD for RAW now and he’s gonna knock the Undertaker out. Show warming up with boxing the air and shrugging his shoulders during Takers entrance to intimidate his was great. The early going in the match was Taker using his quickness to get away from show but Show was hitting these AWESOME body blows, so Taker say fuck it and starts punching away on Show. And it looked like Taker was getting the better of the strikes so Show does for the head butts. As we comeback from commercial Show head butts Taker in the back of the head and Taker sells the thing like it was a death blow, anyway Show sees this and begins to work on it. And it looks a million times more brutal due to the size of Show. The false-finish with Show hitting the chokeslam was good but I didn’t like that it didn’t mean anything, and they just did it because it’s show’s second finisher now. The slugfest leading to the finish was AWESOME! Both men know how to throw a hell of a punch and it just looked sweet. But that leads to this PHENOMENAL spot where Taker is going for the “Old School†and as he’s coming down Show catches him with a straight right hand, which connected beautifully. The sell job by Taker was ridiculously great too as he gets back to his feet like a drunk man and falls on to the middle rope so the top half of his body is on the outside of the ring. He then staggers back to his feet and just falls to the mat Taker does come back to his feet and Show punches him in the back of the head, but he doesn’t go for the pin . Show goes to pick Taker up by the hair and the ref sees Taker is clearly out of it the ref calls for the bell. Post-Match: As Show is celebrating, Taker again goes that AMAZING wobbling back to his feet with his hands up still asking show to fight. But Show acts like he doesn’t want any but tries to attack Taker, but Taker knocks him out of the ring. ***1/2
Smackdown 01/09/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Shelton Benjamin
Really good 12 minute TV match here, that really let me remember how good Shelton is/was in the ring when he needs to be. As for Taker he was pretty much winding down but still competing at a high level. This was maybe 2/3 week before the Rumble and I don’t think this had much of a backstory to it aside from both men are in the rumble. I loved the beginning of the match with Shelton doing the stick and move offense to keep taker way but gets caught which leads to Taker working on the arm soften him up for “OLD SCHOOL†and he does hit it, but he continues to work it which was pretty AWESOME! Cause I can’t remember the last time Taker actually stuck to working the arm after “Old School†Taker would then go to the bread and butter offense and attempt the big boot after the snake eyes but Shelton counters it with a chop block and begins to work on the left leg, to which Taker sold really well. The match really made Shelton look aggressive and smart with all his purpose was taking out the knee and the reason why I said smart was, I’ve seen it done quite a bit in today’s WWE is that a wrestler would start working on the leg then 1 minute later start targeting the head or an arm and just totally forget the leg. The world eventually breakdown in so a back-and-forth contest with both men trading moves but not high impact moves, anyway the match ends when Shelton does for a float over I think in the corner but Taker catches him and delivers a Tombstone for the win. ***1/2
Smackdown 01/23/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Shelton Benjamin
This is the go-home edition of Smackdown right before the Royal Rumble. This wasn’t as good as their first match together but I like that they played off moments that happen in the first like, Shelton trying to do the stick on move punches to start but Taker wasn’t having any of it and took it to him. I also liked that Shelton had a counter for Taker trying to work the arm so Taker just left it alone. Shelton was just as aggressive in this one but it was in a different way, in the first match he tried to work on the leg but in this it was like he realized the knee wasn’t gonna work so he just wanted to out punch and just try to beat him up instead, In fact. I don’t think Shelton targeted the knees at all. This was also a lot slower than the first and a lot more back-and-forth too with was nice seeing Shelton get this much offense in. The moment of the match was defiantly Taker going for the chokeslam but Shelton counters to land on his feet then hit this AWESOME! Impeller DDT but that only gets a 2 count. The match would end when Shelton gets in the mount position but he lets up for a second and Taker applies the “Hell's Gate†But JR calls it the “Devils Gate†Oh I should also add JR and Taz on commentary are pretty underrated. ***
Royal Rumble 2009 – Rumble Match
The pack I downloaded has the match when Taker comes in at number 16, and I’m too lazy to download the whole show so I’m just gonna watch this one. The guys in the ring so far are Orton, Triple H, Jericho, Mysterio, Knoxs, Finley, Cody, Ted and JT “FUCKIN’†G Anyway Taker is in a #16 and he immediately throws JTG out As you know I really don’t like reviewing rumble match as far too much shit happens at once or nothing happens so I’m just gonna mention the stuff I liked. Like Jericho/Punk interaction, Punk/Regal interactions and Taker also got busted open the hard way I think it was a Finley punch or Punk Kick. But the real moment of the match was KANE coming in at #23 and the BROTHERS OF DESTRUCTION! Reform and kill everyone. OH SHIT! I totally forgot RVD’s surprise entrance in this match too, the reaction was fuckin’ great and I LEGIT laughed when it took JR like 3 seconds to realize RVD was back, anyway RVD gets his usual stiff kicks and normal spots in and boy it looks sloppy. The Brian Kendrick #26 he eliminates Kofi then Triple H throws him out like seconds after so I think he was in for a total of 20 seconds #27 is Dolph and he has quite possible the worse generic song ever, anyway he starts beating on guys and as he’s doing the “Hi! I’m Dolph Ziggler†gimmick he tries to shake KANE’s hand be KANE just throws him out and I think he’s total was 20 seconds too. BUT SHIT GETS EVEN MORE HILARIOUS WHEN SANTINO COMES IN AT #28 AND BREAKS WARLORD'S RECORD! Not much happens for a while until Show comes out at #30 and he and Taker start interacting with one another. Actually forget what I said before the moment of the match so far was the 30 seconds that Jericho/Taker had together it started with Jericho eliminating RVD and he has a huge smile on his face until he realizes Taker is standing right behind him. He tries to eliminate him but Taker counters him with a whip into the rope but Jericho gives him a codebreaker and tries throw taker out but Taker gets the better of him and throws him out. OH SHIT! I forgot about the spot when Show does the “Close Elimination Spot!†you know the Michaels spot when his feet almost comes close to touching the floor but it doesn’t. Anyway Orton hits Show with an RKO into the top rope, and he falls out. And Taker begins to fight Orton off but Show pulls Taker down to the floor and the match cuts off here thankfully.
Smackdown 01/30/2009 – Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: The Undertaker vs. Mark Henry (w/Tony Atlas)
Taker does his usual 3 minute EPIC entrance and the Mark comes out AMPED AND PUMPED UP! Water all over him and he’s just shouting. For what 5/6 minutes this was great, Taker tried to gain control with a headlock early on but Mark was like fuck this and gave him a nasty shoulderblock so Taker when to the striking game, but again Mark said fuck this and took the power strikes to him. Taker going for “Old School†but Mark catches him in mid-air with ease was great, he would continue to use power moves to keep Taker down. Taker’s comeback was the usual moves punches, flying clothesline and he also hit a Chokeslam on Mark then puts him in the “Hell’s Gate†for the tapout. **1/2
Smackdown 02/06/2009 The Undertaker & Triple H vs. Edge & The Big Show
All 4 men get full entrances, so Show and Edge take like a combined 2 minutes to come down, but Taker and HHH take at least 5 minutes combined. But as for the match it was really good just wish it was longer than 9 minutes, Show and Taker starting the match off with the usual quick and AWESOME! Striking. Triple H was beating on Edge in the corner and show yells out “EDGE WHAT ARE YOU DOING†:lamo as you would expect this was mostly Edge/HHH with Triple H being in control for the majority of it until Show got the blind tag and they started the hot-tag segment which was good but not great. I think the only reason it was good was Show and Edge wasn’t aggressive enough like a Benoit/Eddie would be or a well-oiled team but they would just get some moves in then tag out with no real communication, but I guess because they are not a LEGIT team I’m over exaggerating this, and the 2nd reason it was good was the lack of crowd caring at all about this. That really hurt it. They did do an AWEOMSE! FAKE hot tag moment that kind of got the crowd into it. But they would just die down again. Taker’s hot tag ruled too as everything he hit was on point and was great, the moment of it was defiantly Edge hitting him with a spear but doesn’t go for a cover with allows Taker to apply the “Hells Gate†but show Breaks it up with a leg-drop, AWESOME play off the WM 24 match. The match would end when Triple H would try a Pedigree but Big Show stops him with a Chokeslam! He would then pick Edge up but Edge would shove him away and say “What the hell is your problem?†and shoved him, Show would reply back with a KNOCKOUT PUNCH! Triple H would then tag in The Undertaker and Taker finishes it with the Tombstone. **1/2
Raw 02/09/2009 – The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton
OH SHIT! Michael Cole mentioning that these two feuded in the past AWESOME! Back-and-forth striking to start match these two have chemistry together, I really do need to watch this feud back again. I was so pissed that this match started off this fast then cut to commercial just to comeback and have Orton headlocking Taker, but that doesn’t last long. Jesus! Orton’s heel work is so basic that I forgot how much I loved it, he was doing the “headlocks†and the stomps you remember them he would stomp the arm, chest, leg and head. Oh shit he even pulls out the uppercut. I loved Taker’s comeback too with usual moves but what made it great was Orton’s bumping for the, the match ends when Taker goes for a Chokeslam but Orton counters it and tries the RKO but that doesn’t work he then tries the Tombstone but Legacy run down for the 3-1 beatdown, BUT OUT OF NOWHERE YOUNG SIMBA RUNS DOWN AND ATTACKS ORTON! This allows Taker to chokeslam Cody and Shane hits the Cost-To-Cost on Ted. Orton stares down Shane from the ramp and “Here comes the money†plays WIN! Dammit though the match needed more fucking time. **
Smackdown 02/13/2009 – WrestleMania 13 Video package & Undertaker promo
They show a WrestlerMania 13 rewind video showing Rocky Maivia and the Bret/Austin match. They then Show Taker beating Sid for the title and the video cuts into Taker cutting a promo about he will only have one ally in the Chamber match, the chamber itself which he will use to inflict the maximum amount of pain. Victory is his destiny. As for the others; their fate is sealed. Six will enter and five will rest in peace.
Smackdown 02/13/2009 – Fatal Four way match: The Undertaker vs. Triple H vs. The Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov
Really enjoyable match here, with all hell breaking loose early on instead of doing that Blue having wrestlers tag in during a 4-way match, GOD! That fuckin’ annoying. The early part was Show/HHH in one corner and the other was Taker/Vlad but Taker says the hell with this and throws Vlad out so he and HHH can double team show and takes him out, which leads us to some HHH/Taker interactions which ruled the back-and-forth stuff with counters, OWNED! But show would cut it off and attack both men, which would lead to Show and HHH in the ring and Vlad/Taker on the outside before going to a commercial. When we come back Vlad & Show are now double teaming HHH while Taker is selling on the outside, which was pretty boring due to Vlad sucking and Show not doing much. Thankfully Show turns on Vlad and hits him with a chokeslam but Taker breaks it up and turns it up with his AWESOMENESS! The match really featured the basic 2 wrestlers in the ring, while one is on the outside selling and the other is in the ring selling. But they did manage to keep my attention which was nice, that was mainly because the cut out rest holds and went, move-move-move alright a different wrestler in the ring move-move-move. The match would end when Kozlov takes Show down with a running head butt. But Triple nails him with the Pedigree! But he turns right into a Tombstone from the Undertaker! Undertaker goes for the pin but Big Show stops him and hits the Chokeslam! Suddenly, Edge comes out of nowhere and Spears the Big Show, the ref calls for the bell IDK why because I thought all 3-ways and 4-ways were NoDq/No Countout but I guess not. My rating would have been higher if this would have gotten a LEGIT finish. **3/4 - ***
No Way Out 2009 - Elimination Chamber Match for the WWE Championship: The Undertaker vs. The Big Show vs. Vladimir Kozlov vs. Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Edge
Jeff and Edge start the match and they do some stuff, with Jeff looking somewhat motivated and Edge did a great job with his eyes selling being worried about the other guys in the pods. But the shocking moment of it all was Edge going for the Spear but Jeff catches him with a small package for a 3 count that was like 3 minutes into the match. Vlad is in next and for the first time he doesn’t look awful in the ring, maybe it’s because Jeff was bumping around for which made his offense look a million times more brutal. Vlad pretty much dominates this with throws, shoulder blocks and using his own head a as a weapon. Until Show comes out next and he and Vlad work over Jeff which lasted way too long, but it was pretty hilarious seeing them play the “whatever punishment you can do I can pull out a even more violent moveâ€. While keeping their eye on the other man, hey would eventually start to brawl and exchange blows with Show’s punch looking great while Vlad’s forearms look awful. Thankfully Triple H is out next and he murders everyone, until Show cuts him off and stuff gets boring again. Taker is last out of the pod and he begins to rip shit up punching the fuck out of Show and Vlad, he then tries to pick up Vlad for snake eyes but Vlad fucks it up so the move looks awful. Oh shit I also forgot about the AWESOME! Moment when Taker is goitng for the “Old School†on Triple H but while walking the ropes he sees Show getting to his feet on the outside so he leaps on to him but show catches him by the throat and tries the chokeslam but Taker counters with a DDT on the steel and sits up, back in the ring and then hits the “Old School†on Triple H. Vlad begins to attack Taker and mounts him in the corner, but Taker gives him the Last Ride coming out and pins him. Lol the elimination was 20 minutes after Edge’s, the match really begins to pick up again with HHH and Jeff bumping like crazy for Show and another AWESOME! Moment was Jeff climbing the chamber onto one of the pods and Show goes up to get him but Taker cuts him off and delivers a superplex from the top/middle rope H gives Show a Pedigree and Hardy leaps off the top of the pod for a Swanton to a great pop and he pins Show. I was kinda hoping we would get more Jeff/Taker interaction before he was eliminated but that wasn’t the case moment after Show was gone Jeff crotches Taker on the ropes and as Taker is getting back to his knees Jeff uses his back as a springboard and does the “Poetry emotion AKA Air Hardy†to Triple H on the outside. Jeff gets back to his feet and is against the ropes, which allows Taker to pick him up with the Tombstone and the pin. TRIPLE H VS. THE UNDERTAKER! FUCK YEAH! The mini-match here was good but it really didn’t great until they started trading finishers. However I did love the Snake Eyes spot but as Taker is going for the big boot Triple H manages to hit a spinebuster which only gets 2. But that would be topped when Taker picks up HHH up and it looks like he’s gonna use him as a battering ram but that gets reversed over the top rope and back into the ring for a Tombstone position only for Taker to reverse again and hits the Tombstone that would only get a 2 count, a minute later Triple H would hit the Pedigree which also only gets a close 2. Then the match would end when Triple H mounts Taker in the corner, and Taker would pick him up for the Last Ride, the same spot he and Vlad did earlier but this time Triple H counter but leaping over his head and hit the 2nd Pedigree for the win. ***1/2 - ***3/4
Smackdown 02/27/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov
Vlad is still undefeated at this point, the match pretty much starts out with Taker wanting to strike with him so Vlad gets him in a headlock and Taker gets out, but Vlad catches him with a shoulder tackle they do that spot twice so Taker says FUCK THIS and kicks Vlad in the head. WWE also hurt this match with having a commercial 3 minutes into the match and when we comeback they showed us all the good back and forth action we missed with Taker going kidney first into the barricade and then Taker throwing him into the ring post Anyway, Vlad begins to take over with power-moves then slows it down with a side headlock. Takers comeback was really good too not much to really write about apart from he got his normal moves in which got the crowd popping, Vlad also fucked up the snake eyes spot again. Another problem I have with the match was the ending which came out of nowhere as Taker just about to hit the “Old School†but Vlad pulls Taker off towards him and catches him in mid-air for a powerslam and the 3 count, WHAT! A powerslam. **1/2
Raw 03/02/2009 – The Undertaker Appearance
So after Michaels beats Vladimir, Undertaker comes out and stares down Michaels from the ramp.
Smackdown 03/06/2009 – The Undertaker promo
The Undertaker comes down to the ring and gets on the mic, He says for most of his existence, others have chosen to stay clear of his path – he was the one in pursuit of the hunt. But times have changed. And that angers him. WrestleMania is the night he has chosen to show his peers what the Undertaker represents. Yet people need to feed their egos and endless souls line up to make a name for themselves at his expense, and he takes it as a personal insult. He says he accepts Shawn's challenge for WrestleMania (They air a video package of WrestleMania moments featuring Shawn Michaels) The Undertaker then says Shawn Michaels was very clever but chose the wrong man to play mind games with and it will make things worse for him. He says Shawn is an icon, but for 16 WrestleManias, they have come and fallen, and his fate will be no different. Shawn claims to have inner peace, but the time for prayer has only just begun. Undertaker then finishes it with the “sometimes it is hell trying to get to heaven†line.
Raw 03/09/2009 – The Undertaker & Shawn Michaels promo
Shawn Michaels comes down to the ring and gets on the mic, he says 16-0 at WrestleMania a a streak so extraordinary, no one could even think of replicating it. But said when it comes to show-stopping performances, he is no slouch himself. That's why on Friday he interrupted Taker's promo with a video package of his greatest Wrestlemania moments Shawn says he respects The Undertaker, but he's not afraid of him. He says Taker may be 16-0, but he is Mr. Wrestlemania. He says he's never been outperformed on the grandest stage and he never will. And that streaks are meant to be broken, good things must come to an end and nothing lasts forever. Michaels said at WrestleMania, something’s gotta give. The lights go out and an Undertaker video package airs of all his 16 Mania wins. When the video ends the lights came back on, AND TAKER IS IN THE RING BEHIND SHAWN! AWESOME! Without even turning around, Shawn said “hello Undertaker, I’ve been expecting you.†Taker says Shawn's arrogance has clouded his judgement he respects Shawn, but he’s fought many people he’s respected and they’ve all fallen. Shawn said he and Taker have taken very different career paths and different life paths. Shawn says he shouldn't have to qualify for anything at Wrestlemania. He says he revolutionized the ladder match, wrestled for an hour to win the title, and retired Ric Flair. He says he's still the showstopper and he can't wait for this. Taker then says Shawn has had epic victories at WrestleMania, but then again he’s had bitter defeat, despite all of his achievements, the dream of beating him at WrestleMania is a dream that will be soon laid to rest. Taker says Shawn concerns himself with being the showstopper, and with winning a match and breaking the streak. Taker says he should concern himself with what he's going to do with him physically, and what he will do to his soul. He says he doesn't need to steal the show, but Shawn will realize that he is the most dangerous entity to enter the ring. He says Shawn should have been more careful with what he wished for, because he's opened hells gates. Taker is just about to say Shawn would REST IN….. But Michaels would cut him off and say he'll rest quite comfortably because he'll know he did the impossible, and that's ended Taker's streak. Shawn reminds him that even though he's beaten all of his Wrestlemania opponent's he's never beaten Shawn, and he never will.
Smackdown 03/13/2009 - The Undertaker vs. Vladimir Kozlov
This was a lot better than their first match together which was 2 week ago, Vlad still can’t punch for shit but Taker was still pissed that he lost the first match so he came out super aggressive and violent and just went straight for the striking really dominating Vlad until Vlad started using his head as a battering ram. I should also mention Vlad was bumping really well for Takers moves in the early portion; Taker did the same when Vlad began to take over too working on the head with headlocks and punches, no real moves. But yeah this was a total carry job by Taker and I might be wrong but this was Vlad’s best one-on-one match ever. The match would end when Taker would hit the “Old School†Then the chokeslam, but decides he’s not done so he picks Vlad up and ends it with the Tombstone. **3/4
Raw 03/16/2009 – The Undertaker & Shawn Michaels vs. John Bradshaw Layfield & Vladimir Kozlov
Perfectly acceptable tag match here, it was pretty much an “Angle advancement†to further put over the Michaels/Taker feud. The match starts with Vlad and Michaels in the ring and Vlad throws HBK down so he sticks his hand out for Taker to tag in but he doesn’t so Shawn goes and attacks Vlad but that doesn’t work either so he just tags Takers chest and he’s now in the match Taker comes in and rip shit up the stares down Michaels with the “That’s how you get shit done†look on his face as we go to commercial. Back and Michaels is now in full control on offense taking it to JBL so be begins to get cocky and goes for the SCM but Vlad takes a run at Michaels on the apron but he ducks and turns right into a big boot to the face by JBL, and they begin the heel-segment on Michaels which was alright JBL was pretty brutal with strikes while Vlad just does rest holds to waste time. Taker’s how tag Ruled like it always does as he quickens the pace and hit the trade mark spots, the match ends when Taker was measuring JBL for the chokeslam but Michaels blind tags himself in and nails JBL with the Sweet Chin Music and the 3 count. Post-Match: Taker is PISSED! So he stalked Shawn up the ramp, but Michaels goes into the back as Taker stops on the stage he does the “Taker look back†looks back to the ring allowing SHAWN TO COME BACK OUT AND HIT TAKER WITH THE SWEET CHIN MUSIC! ** - **1/4
Smackdown 03/20/2009 - The Undertaker vs. John Bradshaw Layfield
Before the match Taker gets on the mic and says make no mistakes about it, Shawn is the prey, and he is the hunter and when he least expects it, he will feel the wrath of the Undertaker. The match was damn good and it brings back memories of their 2004 feud together, where it was just a brutal slugfest brawl match from bell-to-bell, both men throwing awesome punches throughout. I will admit the commercial breaks hurt the pacing on the match it just came at the wrong time. But when we do comeback Taker hit the leg drop on the ring apron and he goes to whip JBL into the barricade but he reverses it and send Taker knee first in security wall and he smartly begins to work on Taker’s legs with stomps, kicks and using the ropes as a weapon too he even used the Figure-Four and they do this AWESOME! Spot where taker is laying on his back but sits up and grabs JBL’s throat and it looks like he’s gonna pick him up for the chokeslam but JBL counters with a chop block and begins to work on the leg again but only briefly because Taker starts the comeback while still selling the leg. I loved the near fall with Taker again going for the chokeslam but JBL kicks the knee and hit him with the CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL! But the match would end when JBL is going to pick Taker up be he counters it into Hell’s Gate and JBL taps. ***
Raw 03/23/2009 – The Undertaker promo
The lights go out for at least a minute then the purple light comes in and Taker is already standing in the ring, AWESOME! He says Shawn Michael’s bold and brash behavior has taken their issue to a whole new level. He tells Michaels that his obsession with being "Mr. WrestleMania" has made his ability to decipher between what is fantasy and what is reality. Undertaker said it was true he has never beaten Shawn Michaels in a one-on-one match, not even once, but he reminds him that the last time they did battle, Michaels spent five years at home in agonizing pain trying to recover. Undertaker says at WrestleMania we'll find out if HBK is really afraid of The Undertaker and he reminds Shawn that when he's standing across the ring from him at WrestleMania and he's questioning his own faith, he has to remember that he was the one that opened the gates to hell. Shawn Michaels’ music but he doesn’t come out in fact he’s shows up on the tron saying that Undertaker's streak is made to be broken. He's in a cemetery, saying that it might be sacrilegious for him to be there, but he calls it defiance. He says that he respects Taker, but he's not afraid of him and he brings up the last sixteen WrestleMania opponents that The Undertaker has left to rot in hell. He says he's not afraid and then he runs down the entire list of Undertaker's victories, complete with highlights. AWESOME! He even points out that a fresh grave has been dug, surrounding by the darkness of death, but it's not for HBK, and it’s for Taker's undefeated WrestleMania streak. It won't just be buried six feet under, but it will be buried all the way to the evil depths of hell. Michaels kicks over the gravestone and watches it fall into the freshly-dug grave, saying "Undefeated streak....REST....IN...PEACE". A new gravestone appears with a 16-1 etched into it as Michael’s shovels dirt into the grave. When we come back to the ring, Undertaker is staring a hole through the tron, pacing around the middle of the ring, showing all these emotion in a space of 15 seconds. Lawler wonders if the Undertaker is going to be the same at WrestleMania with Michaels getting into his head and if Michaels has a death wish. FUCKIN’ AWESOME STUFF HERE!
Smackdown 03/27/2009 – Shawn Michaels' Tribute to the Undertaker
A bunch of druids in white come out to the ring and surround it they even added the white smoke, then some songs plays it was the same on HBK used before he real song at WM 25, anyway. A man comes out slow walk and all dressed in white which would be Shawn Michaels AWESOME! He says in beginning, God created the heavens and Earth, and to begin, it was only darkness. And God said, "Let there be light." and there was light. He saw the light and that it was good, and divided the light from dark. He called the light day and the darkness night. Genesis, chapter 1. He says he and The Undertaker represent both darkness and light, and they've coexisted here for almost 20 years, but they've taken very different paths. Taker walks in the shadows, but he thrives in the spotlight. Taker strikes fear in the hearts of his opponents, but as he walks through the valley of the shadow of death, he will fear no evil, for thou art with me. He has eternal life, victory over the grave, but the same cannot be said for The Streak. When he faces Mr. WrestleMania, the man he has never beaten, his Streak will come to an end and only he will ascend victorious. Shawn Michaels’ music starts playing and he does hit usual dancing, but suddenly THE UNDERTAKER CLIMBS THROUGH THE MAT FROM UNDER THE RING HOLY SHIT! WIN! He goes for the Chokeslam, but Shawn slipped out to the apron and he quickly leaves and retreated to the back. Taker signals for the end. Man this just better and better each week.
Raw 03/30/2009 – The Undertaker & Shawn Michaels promo
They show video highlights of the Shawn/Taker segment from Smackdown, and we go back to the ring and there is a funeral set in the middle of the ring. It has a casket and a few funeral wreaths and even pictures of his wins over Taker next to the casket. Shawn Michaels comes out all in black, and he says he stands her as a man unafraid; the entire procession is not for him, but for Undertaker. Shawn says the streak ceases to exist this Sunday and his undefeated streak at WrestleMania will cease to exist. They've fought before, and it's always been him who's come out on top, and he's never been able to beat him. Shawn says in Taker's illustrious career the only thing he hasn't accomplished is beating Shawn. Shawn promises this Sunday will be no different. He goes over what he's done the past few weeks with the superkick, the graveyard promo, and the tribute to Taker on Friday. Shawn says he's done it all without the slightest bit of consequence, and not a hint of retribution. Shawn opens the casket, and reveals that Taker is not inside and says there will not be any retribution. Taker said he uses WrestleMania as an opportunity to show what he represents, but he takes the fact that he doesn't think he can end The Streak as a personal insult. Shawn says he's Mr. Wrestlemania, and this Sunday every moment over the past 24 years will pale in comparison to what he achieves. Shawn says the next day they'll talk about the title matches, legends, ladders, and 70,000 people, but the moment everyone will remember will be when Shawn Michaels pins The Undertaker. THE LIGHTS GO OUT! TAKER IS IN THE RING, BUT SHAWN IS GONE! Taker shows his frustration that his mind games aren't working brilliantly by destroying the set, he then turns his attention to the casket, he opens it but Shawn isn't in there either. Taker turns around, but Shawn slides out from underneath the casket and delivers sweet chin music. I LOVE THIS FEUD!
WrestleMania 25 - The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels
This match right here, oh boy. I loved the entrances from Shawn coming down in this elevator all in white with this lighter version of Takers theme before Sexyboy hits then Taker coming up from the depths of hell, WHAT? It’s not as good as the 26 coming up from hell cause that one had freakin’ green lasers. But this was just as enjoyable. Now on to the match, the opening Saw Shawn sticking and moving using his quickness to piss off taker and possible but doubt in Takers head that “Maybe He Can’t beat Shawn†Shawn FAKING! A knee injury 4 minutes in was hilarious, but Taker used that as motivation for when he was on offense just to beat the shit out of him. Michaels’ bumping in this match was AWESOME! A couple of minutes later Taker would miss the running big boot in the corner which would allow Michaels to begin working on the leg with a figure-four but Taker had an great break up for it, he would pull HBK towards him and punch him in the face. Takers selling post that, was spotty as fuck as he would do a bunch of power moves then remember he had his legs worked on slap it one then time and that’s all it took for the knee to be fine now. Another thing I like was it was probably mid match when Taker is going for the chokeslam but Michaels counter into the crossface and has him locked in it for at least a minute but Taker would get out of it and hit a side walk slam. They do some more great back and forth action, and they do another AWESOME! Spots where Shawn goes to hit SCM out of nowhere but Taker just falls onto his back out of instants and to ensure he doesn’t get hit by it so Michaels’ goes for the figure-four again but Taker counter that into “Hell’s Gate†Michaels ends up getting to the ropes and the fight on the outside. SHIT BEGINS TO GET REAL! First Michaels misses a moonsault or it looks like Taker just shoves him away in mid-move but then seconds later, Taker goes for the Vintage dive but Michaels pulls a camera man in front of him to take the full attack BUT! They completely miss where the dive is gonna be so Taker lands on his FUCKIN’ HEAD AND NECK, I’m shocked he didn’t break hi fuckin’ neck on that. I love the rest spot they used to cover up that Taker might be dead as the whole crowd is pretty much silent at this point and they just look at Taker on the floor, so Shawn asks the ref to count him out and he does. This is when they get the crowd back into it as they begin to get louder-and-louder as Taker slowly makes it back to the ring. AND NOW THE MATCH GETS FUCKIN’ EPIC AS THEY BEGIN TO TRADE FINISHERS! So Taker makes it in to the ring on the 9 count and Michaels goes for SCM but Taker grabs the throat and delivers a chokeslam for a great near-fall. Minutes later Michaels again goes for SCM but Taker again grabs the throat but this time Michaels’ slaps the hand away and hits SCM. Oh shit the Last Ride counter into the sunset flip just for Taker to grab Michaels with both hands and back to his and nail the last ride was another awesome false-finish. But shit gets even great with probably the best false-finish I’ve ever seen okay Taker throws Michaels’ over the top rope and Michaels being Michaels’ has to do the skinning the cat thing and try to come over the ropes again, well Taker sees this and catches him in mid-move in the tombstone position and Michaels’ try’s to fight him off but that doesn’t work and he hits the tombstone but Michaels kicks out in like 2 and 9ths of a second. TAKER’S FACE SOLD IT TREMENDOUSLY. Oh then they ruin the awesome stretch but countering the tombstone into the DDT but Taker didn’t hit his head at all and Michaels took all the punishment on the back. The Michaels tuning up the back and actually delivering SCM was a hell of a false-finish too. The match would end when they would trade offenses but Michaels would get the better of the two but he would go up to the rope and attempt the moonsault from the top but Taker would catch him in the tombstone position and connect with it for the 3 count and the win. HOLY SHIT! The finish was ridiculously smart and it helped the rematch the following year with the story of Shawn wrestling a near perfect match but made that one mistake and it costed him immortality. ****3/4
Superstars 04/16/2009 – The Undertaker vs. Matt Hardy
This was Takers first match since WM25, which was 2 weeks ago. Matt was a heel here as he turned on his brother for the 410th time and costed him the WWE Championship. The match is like 10 minutes long and the commercials really hurt the pacing of it. But from what I saw this was damn enjoyable as Taker was aggressive like always with everything he throw looked great and as for Matt he bumped like the Matt I like. The first 6 minutes was all Taker but he goes for the chokeslam but for some reason he held the choke on and looked at the crowd allowing matt to hit a neckbreaker but I also think he tried to hit the twist of fate, who knows it just looked awful. Anyway he begins to work the head and neck, cause he’s a smart man kinda and he watched the dive he took at Mania which almost broke Takers neck. Matt’s butterfly submission was pretty great, best thing he did in the whole match. Taker’s comeback was even better than normal as Matt goes up to the middle rope and he goes to leap of with an axe handle but in mid-air Taker kills him with a nasty boot. The match would end when Undertaker calls for the chokeslam again, but Matt bails to the floor and grabs a chair, then drops it, as he circles the ring. But decides he doesn’t want to get back in so he takes the count out loss. Post-Match: Jeff now hits the ring and beats Matt down. They brawl ringside, and Jeff throws him into the ring where Taker is still standing and he gives Matt the chokeslam. **1/2
Smackdown 4/17/2009 – The Undertaker vs. Shelton Benjamin
This not as good as their first match together but much better than the second. Shelton does the smart thing instead of working the legs like you usually do he works the head and neck. The early part of the match was great with instead of Shelton getting the quick start, Taker started off really quick and took it right to Shelton cause he knew the neck was hurting. So he tried to get the entire signature shit in like “Old School†but they do this great spot with Taker going for a suplex but Shelton is able to float over the top and hit the neck breaker and starts to take over. He really begins to slow the pace down with a side head lock he even threw a sick elbow and knee to the side of the head. Man Shelton’ s aggressiveness was great here, as he didn’t let up for a second and he didn’t do any silliness E.G. stop working the neck/head and target an arm for no reason. They do this awesome spot when Shelton does this awesome leap to the top rope but Taker catches him and tries to chokeslam Shelton but Shelton this time counters into a DDT for a good near-fall. The match ends when Shelton begins to get cocky and he does the cutthroat taunt, he picks Taker up for the tombstone but Taker backwards reverses it and hits a tombstone of his own for the win. ***1/4
Smackdown 04/24/2009 The Undertaker vs. The Big Show
This match fuckin’ ruled Show & Taker have that underrated chemistry, I don’t think people understand how great most of their 2008 matches were and this was on the level if not better than those. So before the match Show gets on the mic and cuts a promo about how he’s leaving SD for RAW now and he’s gonna knock the Undertaker out. Show warming up with boxing the air and shrugging his shoulders during Takers entrance to intimidate his was great. The early going in the match was Taker using his quickness to get away from show but Show was hitting these AWESOME body blows, so Taker say fuck it and starts punching away on Show. And it looked like Taker was getting the better of the strikes so Show does for the head butts. As we comeback from commercial Show head butts Taker in the back of the head and Taker sells the thing like it was a death blow, anyway Show sees this and begins to work on it. And it looks a million times more brutal due to the size of Show. The false-finish with Show hitting the chokeslam was good but I didn’t like that it didn’t mean anything, and they just did it because it’s show’s second finisher now. The slugfest leading to the finish was AWESOME! Both men know how to throw a hell of a punch and it just looked sweet. But that leads to this PHENOMENAL spot where Taker is going for the “Old School†and as he’s coming down Show catches him with a straight right hand, which connected beautifully. The sell job by Taker was ridiculously great too as he gets back to his feet like a drunk man and falls on to the middle rope so the top half of his body is on the outside of the ring. He then staggers back to his feet and just falls to the mat Taker does come back to his feet and Show punches him in the back of the head, but he doesn’t go for the pin . Show goes to pick Taker up by the hair and the ref sees Taker is clearly out of it the ref calls for the bell. Post-Match: As Show is celebrating, Taker again goes that AMAZING wobbling back to his feet with his hands up still asking show to fight. But Show acts like he doesn’t want any but tries to attack Taker, but Taker knocks him out of the ring. ***1/2