Ranking all 25 WrestleMania matches of The Undertaker

2. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania XXVI

The story here was that Shawn Michaels had become obsessed with ending The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania after coming up short the previous year, even going so far as to cost ‘Taker the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber after The Deadman had refused his request for a rematch. This led ‘Taker to take the match but only if Shawn would put his career on the line. When this match went on last at WrestleMania XXVI, the outcome was never in doubt but that didn’t mean these two didn’t go out and put on a show one more time.

The two had an amazing staredown to start things off and Michaels did the throat slash right in The Undertaker’s face as things got going to build the intensity of this bout. The two went back and forth for a bit with some vintage spots and the story for a while ended up being The Undertaker’s leg, which Shawn focused on with a Figure Four and an Ankle Lock — the signatures of two of his own past WrestleMania opponents — but there was no way the match was ending with either one of those. The action eventually went to the floor and ‘Taker hit a nice Tombstone on the floor and rolled Shawn back into the ring for a two count. The Deadman then went for the Last Ride but HBK countered with what almost looked like X-Pac’s finisher and then went to the top rope for the flying elbow but The Undertaker got his knees up just in time.

‘Taker would eventually lock in Hell’s Gate but HBK turned it into a pinning combo and then hit Sweet Chin Music for a great near fall. Shawn went for another but ‘Taker turned it into the Last Ride for a two count before the action headed back to the outside. Shawn hit Sweet Chin Music on the floor and then set up The Undertaker on the announce table and hit an amazing moonsault that really got the crowd going. There were no countouts or disqualifications in this one so they were able to take their time getting back in, and once they did, Shawn hit Sweet Chin Music yet again — one of the best I’ve ever seen — but was still only able to get a two count. Great drama here.

Shawn went for another superkick but The Undertaker countered it with a chokeslam and a Tombstone, then folded the arms for the cover but only got two and couldn’t believe it. Great storytelling. Shawn was spent at this time and The Undertaker went to do the throat slash but stopped as Michaels could barely even get to his feet. ‘Taker told him to stay down but the ever-defiant Michaels got to his feet, did the throat gesture right to ‘Taker’s face and then slapped him. Infuriated, The Undertaker hit one last Tombstone and ended Shawn’s career. The Undertaker would eventually help Michaels to his feet and they embraced before the crowd gave Shawn a standing ovation to send him off right. Great story. Great match. Great ending. Great everything. 18-0.