*OFFICIAL* Undertaker Thread: Taker It Easy
 

After. Much of the Phenom run was hampered by folks he couldn't work well with and while he was limited with a gimmick that relied on him being slow.

Starting with the Bikertaker era, he started to be able to actually god damned work, and while the gimmick sucked, his work was great.

Now it's the best of both worlds: He can move better, and has the awesome gimmick.

Before.

His Lord Of Darkness, ministry days were the best character wise of his career.

Bikertaker was best when he was heel "bigevil" taker.

I enjoyed The Undertaker character best when he was the demented cult leader. He really started to find his groove at the (original) Mankind feud.

The Bikertaker and after he started to wrestle more amazing matches than before, and his in-ring is easily better. The Biker gimmick was fine, but the current incarnation of the Paranormal gimmick is a bit ridiculous and I feel doesn't fit into the current WWE Universe. Though in a way it does because it's like he stands on a level all his own, and because of his history it really doesn't matter.

So, for character 96-99 and for wrestling ~2002-present.

Before. The character may look corny or gimmicky in hindsight, but Taker and the feuds he was in, at least storyline wise, from 96 to 99 were some of the most entertaining things in wrestling.

I think the Biker gimmick was important because it broke up the deadman gimmick in a way that allowed it to come back fresh instead of become something that people grew tired of. In this incarnation of the WWE the "powers" and such don't really work as well.

Before. I don't know how anyone can say Undertaker got stuck with people he couldn't work with after legendary feuds with Mankind, HBK, Austin and Kane. Maybe I put too much of a recent bias on that era.

When I think of Before, what comes to mind are his feuds with Kamala, Mabel, Giant Gonzales, Yokozuna, Kama the Supreme Fighting Machine, Underfaker. The feuds where he had a hard time working around folks who could barely move.

You forget there was quite a bit of shit Before. After, the extent was Great Khali and Mark Henry on the immobile useless sacks of shit. Sure, he had big man feuds, but those feuds were with Big Men who were of the more Bam Bam Bigelow/Vader mould of Big Man: Huge and mobile.

True. But even though those matches weren't the best, the build up or finishes to them were entertaining. Kamala was the first casket match, the end to the Yokozuna match was epic, Kama stole the urn and turned it into a necklace and the build up to Taker v. Taker was entertaining as hell with Dibiase and Bearer going back and forth and all the random Taker sightings.

Heel biker Undertaker is my favorite character-wise. Before, I honestly thought he sucked. Hard. The Ministry run was good, but everything before that was pure garbage outside of the Jake Roberts business.

Also, for whatever it's worth, my favorite match of his EVER (yes, I saw those Wrestlemanias) was v. Kurt Angle at No Way Out.

This is a tough one.

Pre-Biker 'Taker was pretty much seen entirely through the eyes of a mark. When Undertaker debuted it was 'OMG!!! He's a DEADMAN!!!', and then of course his Ministry days were fucking badass and more realistic in the way that he wasn't a deadman who chose to wrestle, but some kind of black-magic cult leader figure.

Biker 'Taker was great, especially as a heel, because it made him more human. He had some great feuds during this period with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam and Ric Flair, and as said before, the human-ness of the angle made for some interesting match dynamics.

Then of course, the 'real Deadman' after being buried alive by Kane. It was in this persona that I'd say Undertaker hit his in-ring pride. He had some great feuds and matches with people like Kane, Booker T, JBL, Batista, Randy Orton, Kane again, Edge, Triple H and of course, Shawn Michaels.

Overall, I'd go with 'after the American Badass' stage. Not a knock on any other period of his career, as all have been legendary, but it just feels that 2004 and onwards has produced much more memorable moments/matches.

1) After
2) Before
3) Biker

Id have to go with before Biker... well not too early but 96-99. 96 was the beginning of the Mankind feud and that was just crazy good. King of the Ring 96, Boiler Room Brawl, those two tore the house down every time. The buried alive match.

Then when he came back he was a bit more agile and mobile, he talked more and everything. Plus he had his best entrance theme during this time and thus the conversion into the Ministry of Darkness cult leader Undertaker began and that was beyond good. Character wise... the evolution of Undertaker to that was top notch. Best, darkest, just all round good character. Only bad part about it was that he was so broken down by that time that he could barely do anything in the ring.

Biker was a good break inbetween but I just never really got into it. It was good but it was... ehhhh. It just didn't feel like Undertaker.

After Biker, then it got pretty good. Character wise was kinda bland but match wise he really hit his stride and was on top of everything as long as he was healthy.

So for me... before is the best. Then after, followed by Biker.

I think after he came back at wrestlemania 20 was his most memorable run for me

His gimmick was better before, but his best matches have arguably been after the biker gimmick.

I'll say before

he was a complete bad ass during the ministry era

Where's my sticker? FFS

I actually agree with this except reverse what is said and you will find the correct answer.

Ministry and before overall for Undertaker. He had some great feuds and managed to get some good matches regardless of the talent quality, especially during his early run. He also managed to make a group of wrestlers who lacked any real quality or names to become a legit stable. He also managed to tie in well with the Austin-McMahon feud for a good amount of time and had a classic-worthy feuds with Mankind.

Biker Taker was amazing for the fact of how well it refreshed his career and some of the feuds during his Undisputed title reign. Wasn't too much of a fan of his theme song but he made it work.

Late-era Taker was good for providing some of the recent classic feuds and Mania matches but at the cost of being too injury-prone for long term stuff.

Before, During & After

Too close for me to call on all those fronts.

Has to be before. Like Next Big Thing said the Biker gimmick was only good for a break away from the same old. And when he came back to the deadman, the biker gimmick kinda killed his badassness O.o not a word .. i know.

2006 - now

Taker's just the best. He's adapted to the times so well and has never gotten stale in 20 years at the main event level in the same company. Easily the smartest wrestler ever. Always changing something, whether it was the color of his attire, his facial hair, his ring jacket, his hair, his moveset, his theme music, etc.

The question though is pretty much, "Do you enjoy Taker more when he was more character oriented, or ring work oriented?"

I'm gonna have to go with the 2nd half of his career though. His "legendary status" in the 2nd half has led to some amazing matches and feuds :y:

Pierre is on the money. Definitely loved the 98-99 Taker specifically, too, though.

Best thing about the Undertaker?

The Annual Plancha usually gets a bigger reaction than folks who do 900 flips in a match.

Before, His Ministry character is very underrated.

I thought he killed himself with the one he took vs. HBK in WM25.

I been thinking about something and nearly made a new thread but was not really sure if it was "worthy". With all of this "Before, During, And After" talk: Do you guys feel Undertaker would have "survived" as strongly as he has to this day had he never taken the "break" with the Biker run?

Who Do You Want to Face 'Taker at WrestleMania?
 

Up until Saturday, I was pretty certain it would just end up being Triple H vs. Taker again, maybe even Kane. But now, I'm not convinced. I was thinking...

Foley is back
His feud with 'Taker was one of the best feuds of the 90's.
He and 'Taker have yet to have a match at 'Mania.

It only makes sense that The Undertaker goes against Mick Foley at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Book it.

I love Foley but his knees are fucked and after his stint in TNA he isnt quite the name he was,at least HHH still has possibilty of ending the streak which is all 'Takers matches amount too really.

I think they would do it solely for nostailgic feeling and to draw back viewers from that era.

I still think they could drag a decent match out of it,a gimmick match would suit them both, but i would be shocked if its anyone other than HHH.

Watch a man who can barely walk tape sick bumps!

Yeah Foley can sort of barely move these days.

Would like Sheamus v Taker.

Would like Cena v Taker nxt yr even more.

Y2J

Pretty sure he can use a VHS recorder even though he cant walk. ;)

I would prefer Y2J over Triple H.

Cena vs. Taker I really want to see before Taker retires, and next year would have to be the year.

I agree, this must happen.

Randy Orton as it appears he doesn't have anything to do at the moment and he's come a long way from the last time he faced him at Wrestlemania.

Cena faced Taker before when Taker was in his biker gimmick right? Not ever after though I think.

Wade Barrett.

Foley, HHH and Orton have been done already. With the build that Barrett has had lately, I think he'd be an intriguing matchup for Taker and be someone the fans and smarks both would view as legit threats to break the streak.

He did help Kane bury Taker and they had that one off encounter on Raw where Barrett gave Taker the Wasteland so there's a bit of favorable history for Barrett. It's fresh and intriguing.

Anyone but HHH please.

John Cena is the only answer to the question......

i wonder if taker will be at this wrestlemania they need time to build a fued i can see him skipping it this year.

:shifty:

Shaq-Fu?

Considering the Triple H v. Taker match last year stank, I'm really hoping NOT to have a repeat.

I think, if they do it to break the streak, it should be someone like a Wade Barret or a Shaemus. Cena doesn't need it, and any of the old names wouldn't be worth seeing. Including, much as I love him, Foley.

I don't have high hopes for it to happen but I'd love to see "Orton v. Taker II" at WM XXVIII (I believe the first time they fought at Mania was WM 21).

http://www.universalwwe.es/wp-content/18ce96920g.jpg

Book it.

I enjoyed the thought of Foley vs. Taker, but the more I think about it, it just wouldn't be the match that anyone would be hoping for. I think we're going to see Triple H take on the streak again, but the rumors of Shawn Michaels as the ref seem possibly intriguing. I have loved The Undertaker since I started watching years ago, and I'm a fan of both Triple H and Michaels, and to me, having Michaels referee the match gives it that "impending screwjob" vibe, which I feel we haven't seen one of those that actually mattered in a bit. DX shenanigans could cost Undertaker the streak, but it wouldn't really hurt his rep, everyone would know he got screwed. OR this same scenario, but Undertaker beats the odds, which WOULD be a surprise considering the circumstances, and solidifies that 20-0 record. I agree that last year's match was far from the best, but the dynamic would be totally changed with Michaels refereeing. Could be cool, but who knows?

The build to Taker v HHH last year started on February 21st...

Jericho
Punk

But I was thinking along the same lines as NBT, Barrett would make a great opponent. He only needs to come close to ending the streak to get the rub and that, in my opinion, is what the streak should be used for.

Problem is, everybody is hung up on this "after HBK/HHH it needs to be another huge name" idea. Which is kinda baseless IMO.

Punk, Jericho, Orton, Triple H & Cena are the only ones that I think could have a big feel Mania type match with taker at this point

You are a fucking idiot.

Jericho would be the best match possible with the roster right now. Triple H is the obvious choice even tho they did absolutely everything in that match i really have no idea what they would do with a return match tbh.

^ Sorry James but that match did suck.

i dunno, personally i was annoyed by the fact they spent 2/3s of the match doubled down but it was so fucking over...hard for me to say it sucked just because i didnt like it. and hell, if you get a match considered for MOTY when all you did wa slay on the mat for 30 min you must be doing somethign right.

LOL true..I guess I was just so amped for it..and I cant help but compare it to Undertaker's bouts with HBK since it was somewhat part of the storyline.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eM-XZv3SCjw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

bad call to compair anything with HBK in it to anything that doesnt have HBK in it

Punk Taker year long build to Taker's retirement match at WM 29. Either Punk ends the streak or no one does.

Yeaaah I know..couldn't help it though..cause Triple H wanted to break the streak and HBK was involved in the storyline..HBK was one of a kind for sure.

I'm thinking the "new" Kane.

Or Hornswoggle.

From a person who only JUST got back into wrestling.

Punk. If he wins, holy shit. They just cemented a young guy, known to be one of if not the best in the word as an elite main eventer until the day he retires.

If he loses, we are still in for one hell of a match.

I've said it before the streak really has no meaning if taker ever loses.

Nah no matter who it is, they won't win. Taker's last match won't be a loss.

I haven't even thought of who else I'd like to see go up against the streak because it's blatantly obvious it's going to be Triple H/Undertaker III, which I'm totally okay with. Triple H/Undertaker last year was one of the matches that had me on the edge of my seat. It told a damn good story and anyone that says otherwise is lame.

On watching it a second time, HHH vs. Taker from last year was a very good match. It was easy to underrate it first time round because we were all expecting so much...

Having said that - please let's not have HHH again. People are talking about HBK as ref but does anybody else hate the whole fucking concept of special guest referees? It doesn't make logical sense, it gets overused, and it does not hype the match itself. So I hope that doesn't happen at WM.

I forgot all about the Nexus interfering in the Buried Alive match! Now this would make for a good feud, as long as Barrett has a good explanation why he did it. Otunga did threatened to expose the real reason for the Nexus attacking him, and Barrett seemed... troubled. Still wonder what that was leading up to.

The rumoured matches look like Taker vs. HHH and Jericho vs. CM Punk...but I'd rather see CM Punk vs. HHH and Taker vs. Jericho.

Jericho is the obvious Choice at the Moment.

With alot of people saying Y2J Im thinking thats what Y2J was talking about when he said its the end of the world as we know it. So thionk about he would be the perfect fit and he has never faced taker at mania and they have chemistry together. So my vote goes to none other than Y2J Chris Jericho.

I've never understood the argument for ending the streak,it only makes someone a star if they follow up with it. Its a huge risk to give someone the streak ending win only for them to do a Lesnar 6 months later,and 20-0 looks better on a dvd case than 19 -1.

Either Barrett or The Miz

I would want to see Y2J or Punk vs Undertaker.
I really don't want to see HHH vs Undertaker for the third time....or Kane for that matter.

The Patriots know that pretty well.

Barrett vs. Undertaker would have been better when Wade was a part of the Nexus or the Corre. With a stable backing him, the threat level would have been a lot higher. Alone, it doesn't matter how much he's been pushed lately, there's no threat whatsoever in Barrett.

Brodus Clay

Cody Rhodes

I want to see Undertaker challenge Cody for the IC title. Not only will that allow Taker to retire after finally completing his Triple Crown, it would add more prestige to the title by having Undertaker want the title.

all i have to say is it would be epic, won't happen but one more match one more match one more match:

I guess it could be anybody really.

lol...well i guess i should just lock this

i wont tho, juan can do that. i only use my mod powers for humorous reasons

I do quite like how it looks like Taker will be the one trying to convince the other person to have the match this time round.

i dig it, nice spin on it.

Too bad it is still a match that I don't really want to see.

Would even rather he face Kane for the 13,000th time.

Then don't watch it, don't post here, and go rot in your boring fucking hell of an existence.

Don't like Triple H, don't post here - James Steele

Sounds like a great policy to me.

bans for all H haters. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.

The Destor Era has begun...again!

Damn straight

It's kinda weird how I highly value Triple H vs The Undertaker at WM 17 and 27 as stand out Wrestlemania matches in their respective era's, yet I wasn't excited at the prospect of a third until tonight when I saw them face to face... it was another WWE magic moment, and they are creating the next feud that will follow The Rock and Steve Austin as the second pair of legends to face off three times at Wrestlemania.

It's kind of a big deal.

Really liked the Taker vs Triple H match last year. Had the same big match feel as the HBK matches, but turned out to be a very different kind of match. Much more brutal and hard hitting.

I am probably one of the only people who would like to see it again this year. Only if HBK is reffing though, to add that fresh dynamic to it. It wouldn't be your typical special ref match, as there would obviously be a lot more emotion involved. Maybe have Nash interfere even, forcing Taker to essentially take on the kliq.

Also what was with Triple H giving such care to the touch of The Dead Man's arm? Does he have love for him now? Is he scared? Was he totally taken off guard or did he see Mean Mark meandering in the halls of the arena tonight? I guess we will have to tune in next week to find out the answer.