For years, no matter how crazy things got in WWE or how dire the creative aspect of the shows became, there was one guarantee fans could take solace in: The Undertaker would return at WrestleMania time and vanquish whomever stepped up to the plate to challenge his undefeated streak at the Showcase of the Immortals. It is only fitting, then, that in a year of change, it was The Undertaker and his storied streak being vanquished. 70,000-plus fans watched as Brock Lesnar did the unthinkable and pinned the Deadman. Silence echoed throughout the arena, the disbelief on the faces of the WWE Universe becoming vivid imagery from that night's festivities. No one truly believed what they were seeing was real until graphics sporting "21-1" appeared on the giant screens around the Superdome. The Undertaker, a broken and beaten man, struggled to his feet, then made the long walk up the ramp alone. There was no celebration, there was no standing ovation. It was shock and disbelief that accompanied him on his way out of the building. In the wake of the contest, conspiracy theories emerged. "The referee accidentally counted three," "Vince McMahon changed the finish at the last second and Undertaker didn't even know," and "he was too hurt to kick out" were a few of the favorites but at the end of the day, the finish went as planned and the reaction was exactly what the company was looking for. The jaws dropped, the teary eyes and the deafening silence helped make the moment not just one of the most defining of 2014 but one of the most memorable in WWE history.
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.
