The Undertaker not being at WrestleMania 35 isn’t the worst thing

Ending HBK’s career

“The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker, streak vs. career, has become so iconic that many consider it the greatest WrestleMania match in history, if not the greatest match of all time.

Over their respective careers the two men had met a total of five times in the ring. But the match at WrestleMania had the biggest stakes of them all. The year before in Houston, Texas (the respective home state of both men), Michaels and The Undertaker stole the show at WrestleMania 25. Going into another match needed something extra special. The Undertaker had been riding a winning streak at ‘Mania the likes of which had never been seen before. Beating The Undertaker’s streak became almost as important as winning a title. So when HBK challenged ‘Taker to another WrestleMania match The Dead Man obliged so long as Michaels put his career on the line.

What followed was two of the greatest performers in the history of professional wrestling leaving it all in the ring to the delight of the raucous crowd. Despite a valiant effort, Michaels would come up short in victory, falling prey to The Undertaker’s Tombstone for the three count.

Having been a locker room leader for so many years, and a performer that many look up to this day, Undertaker showed why he commanded respect by lifting Michaels to his feet and shaking his hand. He then left the ring to let Michaels have his last moments on The Grandest Stage while the Dead Man would fight another day.