Why The Epic End To A Classic Undertaker Match Almost Didn’t Happen

The Undertaker has given a look behind the curtain at one of his most famous matches.

At WrestleMania 25, The Undertaker took on and defeated Shawn Michaels in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in history.

For half an hour the momentum swung back and forth, but as the clash reached its final stanza, it seemed that Michaels was closing in on a famous victory. After a series of near falls, Michaels went to the top rope looking for a Moonsault, but ended up being caught and hit with a Tombstone, enabling The Deadman to get the win.

The story that Michaels was close to beating the legend but made a single mistake that cost him played into their rematch a year later.

However, the famous sequence almost never happened.

Speaking on his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker recalled the pair practicing the spot the day before, and being unable to get it right. Despite the frustration, they decided to try it again in the match hoping that it would be alright on the night.

“Only did it once. We practiced it and we could never get it. We just said, ‘Fuck it, we’ll do it tomorrow, and we hit it. We tried it three times the night before, I missed him every time. We do it in the show and [it was] perfect.”

The Undertaker Took WWE Legend’s WrestleMania Spot

The Undertaker made his most recent WWE appearance at WrestleMania 40 where he made a short cameo in the main event between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. In the match which featured run-ins galore, ‘Taker confronted and then Chokeslammed The Rock before the pair disappeared.

However, it’s since been reported that The Undertaker’s spot was originally planned for Steve Austin. Despite the plans, Austin was said to have missed the show as he couldn’t agree a “financial agreement” to appear.

During an interview in February, Steve Austin refused to rule out getting back in the ring for one more match.

H/t to Fightful