WWE: 10 Fascinating Backstage Facts About The Undertaker

7. Threatening Shawn Michaels

When you think of Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, their amazing Wrestlemania matches probably come to mind. Undoubtedly at this veteran stage of their career, a big respect is shared between the pair. This wasn't always the case. Dating back to 1997, Taker and Shawn had underlying tension bubbling between them. Michaels was running roughshod over the WWF, seemingly being the man who was in control of Vince McMahon rather than vice-versa. The pinnacle of this backstage politicking related to Bret Hart, who Michaels felt Vince McMahon should be diminishing in favour of progressive business. Undertaker sided with Hart, feeling that Michaels was a prima donna who was overstepping his mark. Given that Taker, Michaels and Hart wielded similar amounts of experience, it was all at a bit of stalemate €“ although things eventually gave way with Hart leaving the company. Undertaker was massively unhappy with the Montreal Screwjob, and let Vince know about it in the strongest terms. At the time, Michaels was spared of any blame. He was supposedly not in on it, with McMahon taking responsibility as the perpetrator. Nevertheless, Taker had his suspicions. The Deadman didn't trust and didn't like the Heartbreak Kid. Things came to a head in the run-up to Wrestlemania 14. Worried that Shawn wouldn't drop the WWF Title to company megastar Steve Austin, Taker decided to take business into his own hands. Taping his fists and getting in Shawn's face to imply he would knock him out, Undertaker made Michaels promise to do business right. HBK had been acting up but was now reportedly legitimately scared. Austin won the belt and went on to become the biggest star ever seen in professional wrestling.