In 1996, Undertaker engaged in a heated rivalry with Mankind that stretched from the night after WrestleMania XII all the way until December, solidifying the feud as one of WWE's all-time best. After being beaten more than he won and seeing his longtime friend and manager Paul Bearer betray him, Undertaker was not in the best of places as the calendar switched over into the new year. Following the Royal Rumble, however, he began gaining a bit of momentum and it appeared as though the Deadman would be hanging around the championship picture as WWE embarked on its road to WrestleMania. He was the last man eliminated from the Final Four match to crown a new heavyweight champion and, when Sid defeated Bret Hart to capture the title the following night on Raw, it set up a main event match between the Sycho and the Phenom for WrestleMania 13. The story was not as strong as one would have liked but the match was a hard-hitting heavyweight battle. Interference from Bret Hart hurt it but could not dampen the moment for Undertaker, who planted Sid with a Tombstone and won his first WWE Championship in nearly six years. The moment was a well-deserved one for the Undertaker character, who had endured so much the previous year and was finally able to celebrate something. For the performer behind the character, it was a reward for the hard work, dedication, loyalty and leadership he provided the company over the previous seven years.
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.
