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Ten years ago, Triple H was coming off the best year of his career, having established himself as a main-event player that would be around for years and years to come. He had changed gears with his persona and become “The Game.” Doing so allowed him to do what so many have tried to do in the wrestling business – tweak their personas to help themselves take the next step from upper mid-card status to consistent main-event player. He worked hard and earned the respect of both the fans (whether they booed him or cheered him) and his peers. In the process, he became “That Damn Good.” Perhaps his greatest performance came almost exactly ten years to this day at No Way Out 2001, when he and Stone Cold Steve Austin had their classic Three Stages of Hell match. Triple H emerged victorious that night, but Austin’s destiny was already set for the Mania main-event against The Rock. The Game, perhaps in the heart of voicing his displeasure at being left out of the top spot at the biggest show of the year, cut a scathing promo that reminded everyone that he’d beaten Rock and Austin and everyone else that there was to beat. Then, like an answer to the fans’ prayers for someone to shut him up, one man in particular took exception to Triple H’s words: The Undertaker. His year 2000 was all about redefining himself; only for him it was to stay relevant in an ever changing climate. Letting go of the Deadman persona that had defined his career, Taker returned as an extension of his motorcycle loving self. The Biker Taker picked up right where the Deadman left off, challenging for the World title and being heavily involved in top programs. Yet, when Triple H said he’d beaten everybody that there was to beat, Taker saw an opportunity and went for it. He engaged in a heated rivalry with the Game that night that became very personal, so by the time Mania X-Seven rolled around, it was almost as if we had two main-events. In main-event atmosphere, grandeur, and style, Triple H and Undertaker fought a memorable battle in the Houston Astrodome that April. It was the closest that Taker had come to defeat at Wrestlemania in years – if not ever – but in the end, the Decade of Destruction continued and Taker improved to 9-0. On February 21, 2011 (2-21-11), the rematch was all but signed. Triple H vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVII… Examination History has a way of repeating itself. The Undertaker and Triple H have crossed paths a few times since April 1, 2001, but never in an overly meaningful setting. Their last one-on-one encounter on PPV was King of the Ring 2002. Make no mistake about it, the Triple H vs. Undertaker rematch at Wrestlemania is a huge match. There is quite possibly no bigger match that the WWE has left amongst its stable of top stars from the last decade (only Cena vs. Taker is its rival). Just looking at what the two of them have done at Wrestlemania alone since their last Show of Shows encounter makes this a match of epic proportions, but combining it with the rest of what they’ve accomplished during that time period makes it, historically, on par with some of the bigger Wrestlemania matches in recent memory. Triple H, since April 2001, has won 9 more World Championships, pushing his total to an unbelievable 13. He became the WWE’s unquestioned top superstar after the departure of Rock and Austin. He won, challenged for, or defended the World Championship at the next seven Wrestlemanias of which he was healthy enough to take part. During that span, he helped elevate Chris Benoit, Batista, and John Cena, putting each of them over clean but never losing his status as one of the WWE’s elite. He’s also married to Stephanie McMahon and is the heir apparent to Vince’s throne. And don’t forget the Degeneration X connection Undertaker’s greatest Wrestlemania rival: Shawn Michaels. Undertaker, since April 2001, has pushed his Wrestlemania undefeated streak to iconic status. The 18-0 “Streak” has become as synonymous with Wrestlemania as anything ever has been and he is destined to be known as one of the all-time great performer in the history of the “Granddaddy of Them All.” Two of his wins in the Streak added World Championships to his collection and, outside of Mania, he’s added two more. Despite his victories, his matches at Mania with Randy Orton, Batista, and Edge went a long way toward solidifying their careers as top guys. He is quite possibly the most respected man in the business today. Analysis Last night, the Undertaker made his return from injury and said not one word before Triple H made his return from injury and also chose not to say so much as one word. The atmosphere was electric as the long-time locker room leaders of Raw and Smackdown, respectively, stood face-to-face with the Wrestlemania marquee in the background. The crowd was decidedly pro-Triple H, but one could speculate that it was simply because his return was unannounced. The surprised crowd helped set the stage for an epic encounter, saying all the words that needed to be spoken during that segment. Trips and Taker remained silent, using their expressions to tell their story. HHH wants another shot at the Streak…Taker does not appreciate being interrupted upon his return. A throat slash and a DX chop were all that were necessary to ignite this feud. What an amazing start it was… How the remainder of this story plays out? I have no doubt that it will be something special, but last night – without either man speaking – was enough to sell me on that match. I will anxiously await the opportunity to see the Deadman and the Game go at it one more time. If you looked closely at the two of them – especially with the benefit of an HD television – you may have noticed that Trips is beginning to look his forty-one and a half years of age. Taker is beginning to look more like the dead man he portrays on television with each passing year. Make no mistake about it, the best of their careers are behind both of them and this could be their last chance to give a memorable performance that will live on through Wrestlemania lure. Taker’s peak was his match two years ago against Shawn Michaels and the toll that it took on his body, particularly the dive over the top rope where he landed on his head, cannot be understated. Triple H’s peak was probably his matches that helped get Jeff Hardy over as a main-event player going on three years ago. Yet, they are both still capable of, in the right setting and atmosphere, stealing the show one last time and telling a story that no one else can rival in the business today. Doctor’s Orders I hope that as we get closer to Wrestlemania, people will start to understand just how special this match can – and in my opinion will – be. It is akin to Ali and Frazier stepping in the ring long past their primes, but still capable of one last, legendary piece of art. It is that kind of match that defines Wrestlemania and it is the potential of their performance level that will be at the top of my list of most anticipated things to watch at Wrestlemania XXVII. At the heart of this story that will develop in the coming weeks is the tale of two battle tested veterans with all the experience in the world. That’s recipe for something special, if you ask me. My orders today are to sit back and enjoy the ride as two of the greatest of all-time take us on a 6-week journey culminating in a showdown that we’ll never forget at Wrestlemania XXVII.
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