WrestleMania Rewind: WrestleMania XIV- Kane vs The Undertaker

The granddaddy of them all, WrestleMania is just about a month away. The anticipation for the extravaganza is sky high among the WWE Universe. And since the pay-per-view is richer than Richie rich when it comes to history, we have decided to take a look back at some of the best WrestleMania matches with this latest series.Now let us move to the fleet centre in Boston, Massachusetts and recall the match between the brothers of destruction. Yeah! There you are!! We are talking about Kane vs The Undertaker at WrestleMania XIV on 29th March 1998. This WrestleMania gains prominence due to the fact that this was the beginning of the so-called ‘Attitude Era’ in WWE. Here is a small coincidence that we can observe - WM 31 falls on the same date i.e. 29th March. So let’s look at how this story unveiled.

#1 The Build-Up:

This entire thing started at Badd Blood PPV. Undertaker was involved in a hell in a cell match against Michaels and was about to close it on a victory. Kane accompanied by Paul Bearer shocked the phenom by delivering him a Tombstone Pile driver and Paul Bearer challenged Undertaker for a match against his ‘Instrument of Destruction’, Kane.

Undertaker was firm that he will not compete against his own blood and flesh. But at the Royal Rumble PPV that year, Kane locked Undertaker in a casket and set it ablaze and thought that he destroyed his brother once and for all. On March 2nd 1998 episode of RAW, Kane is involved in a fight against Austin and after the match, Paul Bearer asked the time keeper to give a ten bell salute after the match to Taker. But the ringing didn’t stop after ten. Taker appeared in the arena from a lightening, as it was projected and accepted Kane’s challenge by saying that it would be the – ‘Resurrection of a damned soul’ and ‘Tormentation of a troubled past’ and the two superstars displayed their supernatural powers for a few weeks before Mania.

The stage is all set for the match.

#2 The Match:

The match started with Kane and Taker exchanging blows and Kane took the upper hand with a clothesline. Taker was dropped on the ropes and Kane hit him on the neck and the action continued outside the ring. Kane dropped his brother on the barricade and then on the steel steps. He tried to destroy the spine of the phenom. Kane then took his brother back to the ring and suplexed him and followed it up with a choke slam and covered him but Taker kicked out at 2.

Taker came back into the match with a clothesline and a big boot. He then made a failed attempt to jump onto Kane outside the ring but instead went through the table. Kane took advantage with a high flying clothesline from top rope and followed it up with a Tombstone and covered him again. Taker again kicked out at 2.

The Phenom then came back into the match and went for a Tombstone on Kane and covered him, but Kane survived. He then jumped on to Kane from the top rope and once again delivered a final Tombstone and covered him for the victory.

Taker won the match and went 7-0 at WrestleMania.

Kane was irate after the match and delivered a Tombstone to his brother on the steel chairs.

#3 The Fallout:

Kane asked Undertaker for a rematch at Unforgiven PPV and lost it as well. He later won the 'First Blood Match' for WWE title defeating Stone cold at 'King of the Ring' and became the champion. Kane also went on to win the tag titles later that year. He continued his dominance in the later years and established himself in the company. Kane travelled from ‘The Devil’s favourite Demon’ all the way down to ‘Corporate Kane’ of the present day. Kane was involved in the ‘Andre-The Giant memorial battle Royal’ match at WM 31.

Undertaker was involved in a numerous bouts with Austin, Rock, HHH, Michaels and went from 7-0 streak of that day to 21-1 of today. He had a dream run in the later years and annihilating everyone on his way at WrestleMania. This year he was booked for a match against Wyatt at WM 31. It is hoped that Wyatt will ‘Rest in Peace’.