The Undertaker’s 10 Best WWE SmackDown Matches

SmackDown has always been 'The Deadman's yard.

Undertaker Cena
WWE.com

The Undertaker is set to return to SmackDown in honour of its 1000th episode and, taking a look back at his career, it's easy to see why he is headlining the milestone instalment. WWE's blue brand may be known as the land of opportunity, but it is also his yard. 'The Demon Of Death Valley' has reigned over the show for the majority of its two-decade run, and is responsible for some of its most iconic moments.

Though he had been taking souls and digging holes on SmackDown since its inception, he took on a whole new role following the brand extension in 2002. While the majority of the company's top stars were placed on Raw, 'The Phenom' headlined the blue brand as its biggest star. In doing so, he guided the show, bringing some much-needed legitimacy to it as he nurtured the new talent, and added to his own legendary career in the process.

From taking on promising new stars like John Cena and Randy Orton to crossing paths with fellow legends Kurt Angle and Triple H, The Undertaker has provided SmackDown with some of its all-time greatest matches.

10. Vs. Jeff Hardy - SmackDown (14 November 2008)

Undertaker Cena
WWE.com

The Undertaker and Jeff Hardy crossed paths on the blue brand in 2008 when the 'Charismatic Enigma' wanted to prove that he was worthy of another shot at the WWE Championship. After attacking 'The Deadman', Hardy wanted to finish the job by taking him out in an Extreme Rules match.

The pair faced off the following week under those extreme circumstances at a special UK taping of SmackDown, and the result was a highly entertaining and rather physical main event. Despite being a major fan-favourite, the angry Undertaker exhibited quite a lot of heel behaviour during the match, with his sole intention being to punish Hardy for his crimes. Moreover, it presented an interesting dynamic, posing us with the question: who was more extreme? The thrill-seeker with nothing to lose or the tenured monster who enjoyed inflicting pain?

Though it got off to a relatively slow start, things picked up in the middle as both men hit each other with everything that wasn't tied down. There were steel chair shots, kendo sticks and even a ladder spot (not to mention interference from the Big Show) - all of which allowed Hardy to pull off a major upset by defeating 'Taker.

It may not have been in the same league as the pair's Ladder Match on Raw six years prior (which is unfortunate because 'Taker was in far better shape here), but it told an intriguing story and allowed fans to really get behind Hardy on his road back to the main event picture.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Patterson is an experienced writer with an affinity for all things film and TV. He may or may not have spent his childhood obsessing over WWE.