History is full of moments that are viewed as mistakes by many, but as usual, these events are open to interpretation so there will always be conflicting opinions. On this day in wrestling history, April 6, 2014, one of these moments happened when the Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak, or The Streak, came to an end at WrestleMania 30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvBAwiIkEz4
The Streak
With all they hype around the Undertaker’s Streak that we often forget that his early matches were forgettable. In many ways, they felt like they were there to kill time instead of build the character, and it’s arguable whether there was a plan in place during this time to create the phenomena that fans loved.
For many, The Streak defined the Undertaker. It was also something we enjoyed seeing, hoping each year it would continue until the powers-that-be (Vince McMahon) put an end to it.
While most of us think The Streak should’ve stayed intact, including Jim Cornette, it was a decision Vince McMahon made because of timing and to put Brock Lesnar over.
(Special thanks @awrestlinghistorian for the following transcripts.)
“No one wants to give back to the business more than The Undertaker, more than Mark Calaway, and he knew it’s important to give back. There comes a time in which it’s time to do that so why not then when you consider who else was, looking down the line, when you look at the talent roster, who else possibly could Undertaker work with and at that time, give back in the biggest possible way he could to help someone be a star? Who was it going to be?
“There was no one on the roster potentially and the following year after that. It was timing. The one person whose timing was there at the moment who Mark thought “Okay. This is it. I need Brock.” – Vince McMahon, Stone Cold podcast November 21, 2014.
It didn’t have to end
So while it appears Vince McMahon wanted to end the streak, it’s become one of those moment where we look back and collectively shake our heads. It was a misstep considering the Undertaker didn’t retire then. People were in shock, but according to Jim Ross, the Undertaker could’ve stopped it.
(Once again, special thanks to @awrestlinghistorian)
“Look, if The Undertaker had not wanted to lose or not agreed to lose to Brock, they would have worked out something else because the story I heard about WrestleMania 30 is that it was harder to convince Lesnar to accept the victory and beat Undertaker at WrestleMania 30 in New Orleans in Superdome than it was for McMahon to talk to The Undertaker about ‘it’s time’ because that decision wasn’t made until late on the day of the show. And I don’t think that Brock was totally comfortable in breaking the streak because of his great respect for The Undertaker.” – Jim Ross, The Ross Report January 6, 2016
It still came down to one man’s decision as he had to convince the parties to do this, and many haven’t forgiven McMahon for it to this day.
What do you think about ending The Streak? Should it have ended or remain intact? Let us know in the comments.
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