9. The Undertaker vs. Jake Roberts - WrestleMania VIII
When The Undertaker entered the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis for WrestleMania VIII, he did so as a former WWE champion. One assume a victory over Hulk Hogan for the top prize in wrestling would be all the breakout performance a competitor would need but, when factoring in Ric Flair's interference and the controversy surrounding that match, it becomes fairly apparent that the young Phenom was simply in the right place at the right time. Anyone in The Undertaker's position would have won the title from Hogan at the 1991 Survivor Series, and the fact that he lost the title one week later only validated that belief. Five months after his first heavyweight championship victory, the Deadman dismantled WWE Hall of Famer Jake "the Snake" Roberts in one of the most impressive performances of the early portion of his career. He withstood a vicious DDT on the arena floor, something that left fans in awe, then delivered a spine crushing Tombstone on the same floor and easily pinned his opponent for his second WrestleMania win. Roberts was still very much an icon in the industry by the time 1992, a featured player in Vince McMahon's company. For him to be dispatched of so easily signified the end of one era and the passing of the torch to the Undertaker by one of wrestling's most cerebral performers. From that moment on, the Phenom was a made man in WWE and one of its marquee stars, something he can attribute to his definitive win over the future Hall of Famer Roberts on the biggest stage known to sports-entertainment.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
