Is the Undertaker’s WrestleMania winning streak one of the most well-known stories in professional wrestling history, or is it a work of fiction? At the biggest stage of all, The Undertaker, played by Mark Calaway, won an incredible 21 straight titles between 1991 and 2013. He became a legend in the WWE universe as a result of this streak, which became a pillar of his personality.
Key Takeaways
- The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak was a real phenomenon, with 21 consecutive victories before it was broken.
- The Montreal Screwjob involving Bret Hart was a real behind-the-scenes controversy that changed the wrestling industry.
- Hulk Hogan’s victory at WrestleMania 9 was a result of backstage politics and not a genuine athletic competition.
- Macho Man Randy Savage’s disappearance at WrestleMania 7 was due to a scripted storyline and not a real-life mystery.
- The rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart at WrestleMania 12 was a well-kept secret that added drama to their match.
Whether the streak was a meticulously planned plot or if it developed naturally over time is a topic of frequent discussion among fans and experts. Since the streak was originally only supposed to last a few games, the reality is a combination of both. The Undertaker’s early triumphs were mostly ascribed to his supernatural qualities and the aura of mystery that surrounded him. The purpose of his matches was to demonstrate his power and otherworldly presence against opponents like Jimmy Snuka & Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
The streak, however, gained momentum over the years and became the main attraction at WrestleMania. This story became a marketing tool that attracted fans to the event year after year after the WWE realized its potential. In addition to being a string of victories, the streak came to represent The Undertaker’s legacy and his continuing appeal in a field that was always changing. Behind the Scenes: The True Story of Bret Hart’s Montreal Screwjob The Montreal Screwjob, which stands as one of the most contentious incidents in wrestling history, perfectly captures the relationship between loyalty, betrayal, & business. Bret Hart was scheduled to defend his WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels at the Survivor Series in Montreal on November 9, 1997.
Vince McMahon had designed a scheme to guarantee Hart’s title loss without his knowledge or approval. This betrayal resulted from Hart’s choice to switch from WWF to WCW, which made McMahon anxious about losing his biggest star without a fitting send-off. Tension was high in the events that preceded the Screwjob.
Hart had expressed openly his worries that losing the title in his native Canada would harm his reputation. Although McMahon promised him he wouldn’t lose the title that evening, he gave referee Earl Hebner the order to sound the bell too soon during the match. Unbelievably, Hart was in a submission hold when the bell rang before he could submit or even react.
The repercussions were severe & immediate. During Michaels’ triumph, which many believed was tainted, Hart famously spat in McMahon’s face and stormed out of the ring. The Screwjob’s consequences went well beyond that one evening. It sparked Hart and McMahon’s real-life feud, which would influence wrestling for many years to come. Hart became one of the highest-paid wrestlers in history after leaving for WCW, which signaled a dramatic change in the nature of wrestling.
As the Attitude Era gained popularity, McMahon took advantage of the controversy by adding realistic elements to his storylines. Many people point to the Montreal Screwjob as a turning point in professional wrestling history that made it harder to distinguish fact from fiction. The Real Story of Hulk Hogan’s WrestleMania 9 Win Hulk Hogan’s victory at WrestleMania 9 is frequently interpreted through a prism of controversy and nostalgia.
The occasion was held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 4, 1993. In the main event, Yokozuna, who had just defeated Hart in a shocking upset, faced off against Bret Hart, who was the WWF Champion. But the match itself would be overshadowed by what happened next: right after Hart’s loss, Hogan came out of backstage to challenge Yokozuna for the title. The swift triumph of Hogan over Yokozuna elicited differing responses from both supporters and detractors.
Even though Hogan was unquestionably one of the biggest names in wrestling, many believed that Hart’s arduous fight against Yokozuna was undermined by his unexpected title victory. Hogan’s comeback, according to critics, overshadowed Hart’s moment & lessened the importance of his championship run. This feeling was exacerbated by the fact that Hogan’s quick return to the top felt forced because he had not been featured in the main event photo prior to WrestleMania 9. In the background, Hogan’s win also revealed broader power structures in WWF at the time.
For years, Hogan had been a major draw for Vince McMahon, and his comeback was viewed as a means of boosting ticket sales and dwindling viewership. However, some players in the locker room felt that Hogan’s star power overshadowed their contributions, so they were also offended by this decision. Hogan regained the title following WrestleMania 9, but it also sparked a series of events that would increase tensions within the WWF as up-and-coming talent like Bret Hart tried to make their own names. Macho Man Randy Savage’s inexplicable absence from WrestleMania 7 There is a lot of conjecture and mystery surrounding Macho Man Randy Savage’s absence from WrestleMania 7.
On March 24, 1991, Savage was scheduled to compete against The Ultimate Warrior in a highly anticipated match. Both fans and insiders were taken aback by his abrupt absence from the event. Even though Savage had been a major player in WWF before WrestleMania 7, his absence was felt strongly during what was supposed to be a pivotal event in his career.
The intense rivalry between Savage and The Ultimate Warrior, which culminated in a match that promised high drama and athleticism, was the plot point of WrestleMania 7. But Savage skipped the event because of what turned out to be personal problems relating to his relationship with Miss Elizabeth. For years, viewers were enthralled with their on-screen romance, but their relationship was turbulent off-screen. Savage reportedly withdrew from WrestleMania due to emotional distress stemming from their personal lives.
Savage would return to WWF later that year, but not before leaving fans to wonder what might have happened if he had taken part in such a significant event. His disappearance brought attention to the human element that is frequently disregarded in wrestling plots—the ways in which personal hardships can collide with work obligations. This episode serves as a reminder that real-world problems can still affect even fictional characters like Macho Man. WrestleMania 12: The Hidden Rivalry Between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart The rivalry between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart peaked on March 31, 1996, at WrestleMania 12. Many people consider their WWF Championship Iron Man match to be among the best in wrestling history.
Nevertheless, a lot of fans might not be aware that this match was a reflection of their actual hostility toward one another as well as the conclusion of their rivalry on screen. Tensions between Michaels and Hart had been building for years before WrestleMania 12. During a period of intense competition, both wrestlers were fighting for the top spot in the WWF. Their opposing styles—Hart’s technical skill and Michaels’ aerial athleticism—created a fierce rivalry that enthralled spectators.
But behind-the-scenes arguments frequently turned into personal ones that impacted their interactions at work. Before Michaels won unexpectedly in sudden death overtime, the Iron Man match itself lasted an hour without any falls. A first.
In addition to showcasing their wrestling prowess, this match represented their continuing rivalry, which would last long after WrestleMania 12. Eventually, their hostility would result in more altercations inside and outside the ring, which would culminate in incidents like the Montreal Screwjob a year later. Their rivalry’s legacy is still important in wrestling history because it shows how interpersonal disputes can influence plots and change careers.
The Unbelievable Backstage Feud Between Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock at WrestleMania 17 The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, two of WWE’s biggest stars, engaged in an epic backstage brawl at WrestleMania 17, which is frequently regarded as one of the greatest wrestling events ever. On April 1, 2001, their rivalry peaked at this event, but many fans might not be aware that a fierce backstage feud was simmering between them, which further complicated their on-screen personas. At the vanguard of WWE’s Attitude Era, Austin & The Rock each embodied distinct aspects of wrestling fandom.
Austin was the rebellious anti-hero, and The Rock was the epitome of charm & theatricality. Behind closed doors, tensions were high as both wrestlers fought for top billing within WWE, despite the fact that their divergent styles made for captivating television. Their rivalry reportedly resulted in heated backstage arguments as they tried to outdo one another in matches and promos. Fans were left in shock when Austin turned heel and sided with Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 17, the culmination of their rivalry.
Their backstage interactions played a role in this choice; Austin felt that his character & The Rock’s reputation as a babyface hero would both benefit from turning heel. Although this tactic ultimately succeeded in telling a compelling story, it also demonstrated how intense rivalries can influence important plot points in professional wrestling stories. Unexpected circumstances surrounding The Ultimate Warrior’s contract negotiations with WWF led to his last-minute replacement at WrestleMania 8, one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history.
Warrior was supposed to face Randy Savage on April 5, 1992, but his absence confused fans and caused the match card dynamics to change significantly. Warrior left WWF because of continuous disagreements with Vince McMahon about compensation and artistic direction. Days before WrestleMania 8, when talks broke down, McMahon decided to replace him with Sid Justice for what would turn out to be a memorable main event matchup with Savage. Fans who had been expecting Warrior’s comeback were confused by this last-minute change, which also affected the promotional materials leading up to WrestleMania and changed the dynamics of the matches. Sid Justice and Savage put on an outstanding performance during their match at WrestleMania 8, despite being thrust into an unexpected spotlight.
However, a lot of fans continued to bemoan what might have happened if Warrior had taken part in this crucial occasion, demonstrating how contract disputes can significantly alter professional wrestling plots. The Untold Story of the Famous “Plane Ride from Hell” Event That captured the excess and chaos of professional wrestling culture in its heyday, the “Plane Ride from Hell” incident that followed WrestleMania 19 on March 30, 2003, is still one of wrestling’s most infamous stories. WWE stars took a chartered flight home from Seattle to Connecticut after a demanding weekend of matches and media appearances, but what happened on this flight would go down in history for all the wrong reasons. Due to the wrestlers’ excessive drinking after their exhausting performances at WrestleMania 19, tensions were high on the plane. Numerous wrestlers reportedly acted in a rowdy manner, arguing loudly and getting into physical altercations, which created a tense and unpredictable environment.
Notable individuals like Brock Lesnar & Ric Flair were among those involved; Flair allegedly paraded around in nothing but his underwear, while others acted recklessly. Years later, the effects of this incident were felt throughout the WWE; some wrestlers were disciplined, while others were shunned by the locker room culture for their roles in this chaotic incident. The “Plane Ride from Hell” is a warning about excess in professional wrestling and a reminder that, despite wealth and fame, there is always a chance for catastrophic outcomes on both a personal and professional level.