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

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End of an era

The Undertaker and “The Game” Triple H have a long, storied rivalry. As two of the biggest names of their generation, ‘Taker and Triple H would cross paths many times in their careers. But it was at WrestleMania XXVII that things really started getting heated.

This no-holds-barred match saw everything from a Pedigree through the announcers table to a Tombstone finish in the center of the ring. But it’s what happened a year later that changed the course of history. Not content with his win over “The Game” the year prior, the Dead Man sought him out for another match. Triple H ultimately agreed but not without inserting stipulations into the match that clearly favored him to win.

Their WrestleMania rematch would be held inside the ominous Hell in a Cell structure with Shawn Michaels (Triple H’s long-time friend and founding member of D-Generation X) as the special referee. Undaunted, The Undertaker would agree to terms so long as The Game put his career on the line.

What followed was an instant classic that was the culmination of a 15-year epic rivalry. But when the bell sounded, and the sinister Cell raised, The Undertaker stood victorious. He’d put the last nail in coffin and closed it on Triple H’s career that night. Still, as a true show of respect The DeadMan, along with HBK, helped Triple H walk to the back. The trio of legends paused at the top of the ramp to take in the 70,000 strong standing in unison to applaud them after the grueling match.