The Undertaker's 24 WrestleMania Matches Ranked - From Worst To Best

20. Vs. Big Show & A-Train - WrestleMania XIX

Taker Mania XXX
WWE.com

Nathan Jones - a gigantic hoss with minuscule talent - was originally slated to partner the Undertaker in a tag team match opposite The Big Show and A-Train, until the extent of his cluelessness became apparent.

WWE instead opted to hastily transition the match into a two-on-one handicap affair, and in its defence, it didn’t take long to get going. Undertaker drilled A-Train with a choke slam within seconds, before The Big Show pulled him out of the cover and threw him into the corner.

Low on rest holds and build, high on impact moves and quick tags, it was as good as could be expected in the opening third (i.e., not particularly). The dynamic was explored with some inventive and unexpectedly athletic spots; ‘Taker countered Big Show’s Chokeslam with a fujiwara armbar, which A-Train broke up with a big leg drop - but the rigid format of the stipulation necessitated its more predictable tropes.

The protracted double team sequence was a heat-free formality. Even at WrestleMania XIX, years before WWE went full-tilt promoting the Streak, defeat here was inconceivable. Nathan Jones ran in to even the odds, but he waited a fraction too long to run interference, standing around aimlessly before it was time to big boot A-Train into the Tombstone.

A TV-standard match, and that is being generous.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!