-John Cena came out to his entrance music. “It’s about to get interesting,” he said. “Welcome to WrestleMania” Then suddenly Jo Jo introduced him for an unnamed match. Cole said he just heard Cena say, “He is here.” He said he must be talking about Undertaker.
A referee ran out and told Cena something. Cena didn’t seem to like what he heard. He looked dejected again. Fans chanted “Un-der-taker!” Cena left the ring and slapped fans’ hands. The lights went out. The crowd popped. Then Elias strummed his guitar and walked onto the stage. (Psych!)
Elias asked if they were expecting someone else. He said that somebody else doesn’t have his unmatched charisma and athleticism, nor does he have the unlimited talent he carries in his soul. Fans chanted “You suck!” at him. He said if they thought it’d be another walk in the park, “not with me.” Cena left and sat back at ringside, but eventually had enough of Elias’s lyrics and attacked him. Elias bailed out after his diving shoulder tackles, side slam, fist drop, and Attitude Adjustment. Elias rolled out of the ring. Cena looked discouraged as fans began chanting “Un-der-taker!” again. Cole asked if that counts as a WrestleMania Moment for Cena. Coach said this isn’t the night Cena wanted to have. “I’ve never seen him more not into something than he is right now,” Coach said. (He didn’t watch his Summerslam match against Baron Corbin last year, then.)
Cena’s music stopped halfway up the ramp. He stopped. The lights went out. The crowd cheered. And then inside the ring was the Undertaker “Dead Man” hat and robe. Then lightning struck and the lights went dark again. Then when they came back on, the ring was empty again. Cena looked a little wide-eyed. The lights went out yet again. Then came the “Dong!” and a huge pop. Pyro began blasting and the anticipation built. Undertaker’s music played. And then he appeared on the stage – as the Dead Man, not Biker Taker. Long hair. Cena’s jaw dropped. “The Dead Man has risen!” said Cole, starting to get hoarse. Cole called Taker the “most prolific” WWE performer in history. Graves said he knew all along he’d answer. Coach said everyone is in disbelief. “This is surreal,” said Graves. He added the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.” Cena kneeled in a corner of the ring. Coach said Cena brought Taker back, nobody else. Taker stared a hole in Cena. Cena hyperventilated a bit.
(6) JOHN CENA vs. THE UNDERTAKER
Taker took it to Cena as soon as the bell rang wit punches and a flying clothesline. Then he walked the top rope and came off with a forearm to Cena’s back. Cole said Taker is focused and in a zone. A fan held up an “RIP Cena” sign. Graves said Cena just be regretting callout The Dead Man. Coach said surely Cena got under the skin of Undertaker. Taker gave Cena snake eyes. He gave Cena a big boot, which showed a lot of light (blame Cena). Taker legdropped him. Cena back suplexed Taker. The crowd booed. Cena began his You Can’t See Me routine, but Taker sat up. Taker then gave Cena a chokeslam. Taker lowered his straps and signaled for a chokeslam. Then he picked up Cena and gave him a Tombstone for the three count. Cole said Taker didn’t just beat Cena, he routed Cena.
WINNER: Undertaker in 3:00.
That was crowd pleasing. The psychology, now in retrospect, makes sense. Have Cena be a jerk about it and lower expectations so when fans get Undertaker and the match lasts just three minutes and Taker wins decisively, fans feel they got more than was actually promised and the right guy lost decisively. Not the classic once hoped for, but taking into consideration Taker’s physical condition at his age, that was a special bonus chapter of his career, but to be judged differently than the rest.
