20 Greatest Undertaker Entrances
The Deadman’s spellbinding arrivals made WrestleMania what it is today.
In honor of his 30th anniversary, let’s look back on the 20 greatest Undertaker entrances.
20. WrestleMania XXX
A video of all The Streak victims played, which in retrospect, should have tipped us off that something was up. Each victim had a casket on the stage, including one for Brock Lesnar (who, of course, didn’t need it). As Undertaker walked out, he turned back to that casket and it went ablaze.
19. WrestleMania 34
We weren’t sure if Undertaker would actually show up, especially when Elias got involved with John Cena. But Elias was simply a red herring; as Cena marched up the ramp, the lights went out. A spotlight in the ring showed Undertaker’s garments left from last WrestleMania. Then, the gong hit and the Superdome erupted.
18. WrestleMania XXV
This entrance is plain on its own, but it bookended Shawn Michaels’ entrance in some brilliant storytelling. Whereas Michaels descended from the heavens cloaked in white, Undertaker rose from the depths of hell, all decked out in black.
17. WrestleMania XXVII
Flames, smoke and in a unique twist, rain falling on an LED board with an abandoned shack as a nod to Undertaker’s mysterious comeback vignettes from the past few months.
16. Survivor Series 1996
Batman/Undertaker is the crossover we’ve always needed.
15. WrestleMania 21
As druids surrounded the ring with torches, Undertaker levitated down the aisle. With the long ramps for WrestleMania these days, it couldn’t be done, but it was neat at the time.
14. WrestleMania 36
Shot like a movie, the American Badass returned on his motorcycle, riding through the night to the tune of Metallica’s “Now That We’re Dead.” Nobody knew what to expect from the Boneyard Match, but that epic entrance whet our appetite.
13. Survivor Series 2015
The Brothers of Destruction reunited for Undertaker’s 25th anniversary. Kane came out first and did his arm raise to set two Undertaker symbols on fire. Then, there was a giant opened door on the screen showing the different versions of Undertaker through the years, as the Deadman sauntered to the ring.
12. SummerSlam 1992
The casket match wouldn’t happen until Survivor Series, but Undertaker still rode into Wembley Stadium on the back of a hearse.
11. WrestleMania IX
It’s weird seeing the Deadman arrive in daylight. However, his entrance was very creative, being carted in a funeral chariot with a vulture by his side.
10. SummerSlam 1994
After nearly eight months away, Undertaker made his triumphant return – the real Undertaker, by the way. Paul Bearer and two hooded men in dark robes wheeled a large casket to ringside. As a cloud of smoke escaped, Bearer lifted a giant golden urn from the casket and the arena went dark. Removing the lid, a beam of bright illuminated Bearer’s creepy face. The light swirled around as if Undertaker’s spirit escaped. And then, cloaked in darkness, the Grim Reaper made his presence felt.
9. WrestleMania XXVIII
You always remember your first. This was my first time seeing an Undertaker WrestleMania entrance in person and it was awe-inspiring. The smoke, the flames, the gong and the roar of the crowd.
8. WrestleMania 33
The stage itself was one of the coolest designs in WWE history, complementing Undertaker’s traditional entrance elements perfectly. Since the ramp was 80 yards long, everyone wondered if WrestleMania would stretch into Monday morning for the entrance. Thankfully, the Deadman emerged halfway to a gigantic pop.
7. WrestleMania XX
You might be surprised at how low this is ranked, but aside from the return of the druids and Paul Bearer’s “Oooooh Yeeeeeessss,” Undertaker’s return to the Dark Side was underwhelming.
6. Unforgiven 07
A hidden gem. For Undertaker’s return to fight Mark Henry, WWE spared no expense. The Gregorian Chant played before the gong, and a lightning bolt knocked down the Titantron wall. Three Undertaker symbols were revealed, two of them on fire, as The Phenom rose from the ashes.
5. WrestleMania XIX
A totally different vibe from all the others. In a rare case of live entrance themes sounding great, Limp Bizkit performed “Rollin’” in the ring, as the American Badass rode into Safeco Field with pyro.
4. Judgment Day 1998
He hasn’t used it since the ‘90s, but the Darkside theme is my favorite. The hard rock and guitar riffs fit the Attitude Era nicely, especially as Undertaker evolved into the satanic cult leader. The Deadman doesn’t flinch as fire blasts over and over – he’s hellbent on defeating his brother for the richest prize in the game.
3. WrestleMania 23
This inspired Donald Trump’s entrance at the 2016 Republican National Convention. As druids held torches along the stage, pyro sprinkled and the gong rung. Then, Undertaker’s silhouette appeared as he walked into battle at Ford Field.
2. WrestleMania 29
Easily the most over-the-top Undertaker entrance: walking through fog as shadowy hands of the departed reached out for him, flames rising over the Brooklyn Bridge, fireworks exploding in the sky. This is the elaborate pageantry that makes WrestleMania a success.
1. WrestleMania XIV
Similar to the entrances telling the story at WrestleMania XXV, Undertaker’s entrance before fighting his brother added even more gravitas to the historic encounter. Druids bearing torches filed out from the tunnel, creating an arch of flames as “O Fortuna” played. Then, lightning struck and Undertaker appeared in his “Lord of Darkness” garb for the first time. Bonus points for the perfect camera shot of Kane’s mask while the lightning flickered and thunder rumbled.
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