The five greatest moments from The Undertaker’s historic career

Not even 24 hours have passed since WrestleMania 33 and you can already sense the tone that will surround WWE programming for the foreseeable future.

On Sunday night inside Camping World Stadium, Roman Reigns became only the second man to defeat The Undertaker at the Grandest Stage of Them All and while Brock Lesnar conquered the streak, it seems as if The Big Dog has ended the legendary career of The Deadman.

LEGENDARY CAREER

A quick search on social media will tell you all you need to know; the fans can’t quite believe it just yet and have shared their disappointment at the result, and who can blame them for thinking he’d never leave as his longevity brought a sense of invincibility.

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However, this time it looks to be official and we have to prepare for a WWE without The Undertaker.

Despite that, it’s the perfect time to look back at some of his greatest moments and accomplishments with the organisation and see just why he’s so beloved by WWE fans all over the globe.

#5 – THE STREAK BEGINS

The reason WrestleMania had been the Deadman’s yard for so long was because of his knack of picking up victories when it mattered the most, and that incredible streak had to start somewhere.

The seventh edition of WrestleMania in 1991 saw The Undertaker take on Jimmy Snuka inside of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Obviously, at the time, nobody would have known how significant this victory would end up being as he went on to claim 20-plus more souls.

You always have to honour the first in anything, and it could have been so different had ‘Taker not picked up that first big win.

#4 – THE UNDERTAKER AVENGES PAUL BEARER

The streak was still intact at WrestleMania 29, but The Undertaker was missing a key figure by his side because of the sad and untimely death of Paul Bearer.

His opponent, though, saw that as a way to further build their feud as CM Punk took their rivalry to new heights by stealing the urn, scattering the ashes along with other questionable decisions. It was emotional, it was disgusting but it was the perfect way to make Punk the star you simply cannot stand and ultimately, your loyalties lie with The Undertaker.

The Phenom was angry, and that was visible in the ring and it’s why it made Punk – his latest victim at the time – the sweetest WrestleMania win to date.

#3 – THE UNDERTAKER VS. MANKIND: HELL IN A CELL

Mick Foley being thrown off the top of the Cell is an iconic image, it was historic and something we hadn’t seen before, but most of the attention falls on the victim and not on the man that threw him off the top of the 20-foot structure.

At the time, it was something fans had never seen before and walking across the weak-looking steel roof was bound to end in carnage, and that moment set the standard for future Hell in a Cell matches to follow, but nothing has really been able to match up to it.

It’s still perhaps one of the most brutal moments in WWE history, and it showed the ruthless side of The Undertaker who didn’t care for his opponent’s safety, nor his own.

#2 – SACRIFICING STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN

Despite pulling a similar stunt with Stephanie McMahon, it’s the image of Steve Austin being crucified that lives long in the memory.

It was edgy, it was something new and to this day it remains one of the most controversial things WWE has ever shown on television – but it was perfect for The Undertaker and his twisted gimmick as he used the satanic methods to convert them to his sect.

The Deadman has always been a dark character – if we forget his American Badass days – but this shocking and disturbing stunt topped them all.

#1 – RETIRING SHAWN MICHAELS

Just look at what’s happening in WWE right now with Reigns retiring The Undertaker - ending careers at the Grandest Stage of Them All is an upsetting yet brilliant way of making an impact; just ask Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair.

Before The Deadman was on the receiving end of it, he ended a career of his own when he took on Michaels at WrestleMania 26 and if fans had their way, they’d battle to a draw so the streak didn’t end and The Heart Break Kid remained a WWE competitor.

One had to go, though, and we saw The Undertaker retire HBK after an incredible match, and one many call the second greatest ‘Mania contest of all time, just behind their first encounter one year earlier.

He went 18-0 on the night, and the image of him hovering over a fallen Michaels will live on forever, just like the moment he left it all in the ring on April 2, 2017.