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(BELL DINGS)
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Streak vs. Career Match,
and the only way to win is by pinfall or submission.
(SEXY BOY PLAYING)
MICHAEL: As the sun sets in the Arizona Desert,
is it setting on the career of Shawn Michaels?
JUSTIN: Making his way to the ring from San Antonio, Texas,
he is the Heartbreak Kid,
Shawn Michaels!
JERRY: Guys,
I want to tell you, as upbeat as this feels right now,
you've got to realize we might be witnessing the last walk to the ring
at WrestleMania for a man who has been called "Mr. WrestleMania."
MICHAEL: For a quarter of a century, 25 years, Shawn Michaels
has entertained the WWE Universe.
This is his 17th WrestleMania,
for Mr. WrestleMania.
Is it all going to end tonight?
MATHEWS: Shawn Michaels is arguably the most decorated Superstar in WWE history.
But for the last year, Shawn Michaels has felt unfulfilled.
He has said that his career means nothing if he cannot defeat the Undertaker
at WrestleMania.
MICHAEL: The eyes of the world are on this match tonight.
The eyes of the world are on WrestleMania.
JERRY: I've gotta tell you, every fan that I've run into this week
told me that they were here to see this match.
Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker.
(REST IN PEACE PLAYING)
JUSTIN: And his opponent, from Death Valley,
weighing 299 pounds,
the Undertaker!
JERRY: Gentlemen, I don't know if there's anything
more awe-inspiring
than to see the Undertaker enter in a ring or enter this huge stadium
in front of over 70,000 of our fans here tonight.
I mean, it's bone chilling to see him rise up out of that floor
and make his way slowly and methodically to this ring.
MATHEWS: He is truly a once-in-a-lifetime Superstar, the Undertaker.
MICHAEL: There is reverence here tonight for both of these men.
But for the Undertaker, all good things could come to an end.
He is 17-0 at WrestleMania.
It is the greatest streak of all time.
During that streak, King, he has defeated 10 former World Champions.
It does not appear as if Shawn Michaels is intimidated at all.
JERRY: There's no reaction, and in my opinion,
that's the best reaction from Shawn Michaels at this point.
MATHEWS: It is written, "Blessed is the man that does not respect the proud."
Shawn Michaels is not intimidated by the Undertaker.
MICHAEL: No one's ever come as close as Shawn Michaels did last year
to defeating the Undertaker at WrestleMania.
JERRY: Oh, boy.
(BELL DINGS)
Undertaker misses with the right hand.
Shawn Michaels playing mind games as we start this match-up off.
Never before in the streak has Undertaker faced the same man two consecutive years...
He's doing it now with Shawn Michaels.
MATHEWS: Has Shawn Michaels found something?
Is there one thing that the Undertaker does that Shawn Michaels will capitalize on?
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels said he would risk everything if he couldn't beat the Undertaker.
Right now, the Undertaker is hell-bent on beating Michaels.
JERRY: This match has started all-out, and... Oh!
MICHAEL: Snake Eyes early from the Undertaker. You don't often see that.
And Shawn Michaels suddenly in deep trouble
at the hands of the Phenom.
JERRY: Oh, watch this!
MICHAEL: Michaels looking like...
He blocked Undertaker for a moment from going Old School,
and Undertaker right back on the attack.
JERRY: Let's watch the pure strength of the Undertaker here.
MICHAEL: Connected!
JERRY: It looks like the Undertaker might have done something to his knee there.
MICHAEL: Nonetheless, he's focusing on Shawn Michaels.
Michaels in trouble. Undertaker may be going for a chokeslam,
looking to put Michaels away early, and Michaels with a counter.
The Heartbreak Kid on the attack.
JERRY: Something definitely happened to the Undertaker's knee when he came off
that rope. His knee gave out as he tried to chokeslam Shawn.
MICHAEL: Notice how Shawn Michaels focused his attack on the knee of the Undertaker?
Undertaker looking to put Michaels away.
Going for a Tombstone, perhaps, and Shawn Michaels with a counter.
MATHEWS: Michael, you talked about all the weapons
the Undertaker brings to the contest,
how do you feel that gives the Undertaker an advantage?
MICHAEL: It means Undertaker can put away Shawn Michaels any way possible.
Anything from a Hell's Gate submission, to the chokeslam, to the Last Ride,
to the Tombstone Piledriver.
MATHEWS: Let's not forget, I followed Shawn Michaels' career.
Shawn Michaels has used a crossface, an ankle lock...
Shawn Michaels is very apt in the art of submission grappling.
MICHAEL: He may need it in this match-up that can only end via pinfall or submission.
JERRY: Guys, let's not forget the superkick.
MICHAEL: Going for Sweet Chin Music, and Undertaker...
Notice how it's right back to the injured left knee?
JERRY: I think this does not bode well for the Undertaker,
'cause I think Shawn notices that.
MICHAEL: Did you notice the look in Michaels' eyes?
He saw Undertaker go to the knee.
And Shawn went right after the knee.
MATHEWS: Shawn Michaels has one chance at greatness,
one chance to do the one thing that no one else has ever done.
Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker one more time.
MICHAEL: This could be Shawn Michaels' opportunity.
MATHEWS: How does this change the entire scope of this emotionally-fuelled contest?
MICHAEL: It changes the entire complexion of the match.
Michaels is now focusing the attack on the knee tweaked by the Undertaker.
Look at the Phenom.
So much riding on this match for both of these men. Career versus streak!
MATHEWS: It's one of the most revered streaks in all of sports.
Think of some of the great streaks. DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak,
Orel Hershiser's scoreless streak.
Undertaker's streak is legendary.
MICHAEL: Nothing compares to the streak. The 17-0 streak
of the Undertaker.
JERRY: You guys are talking about the streak, and certainly it's impressive.
I mean, it's unparalleled,
but let's talk about the career of Shawn Michaels.
MICHAEL: Let's talk about what the Undertaker is thinking about doing here.
JERRY: Watch him baby that knee!
MICHAEL: And Shawn is back in the ring.
Michaels saw the Undertaker's look,
and he capitalized and countered
and delivered a shoulder to the injured knee of the Phenom.
JERRY: I think that...
MICHAEL: King, this is great strategy for Shawn Michaels.
When you're facing a bigger opponent, you gotta knock him down to size.
JERRY: Exactly.
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels looked like he was going for the Figure Four.
And Undertaker countered.
JERRY: I thought earlier that Undertaker was going to go for that patented dive
over the top rope. I don't know if his knee would have held up
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels wouldn't allow it to happen.
Another thing Shawn Michaels has learned over the years, including last year,
as Undertaker drives Michaels spine-first into the steel.
JERRY: There you see Undertaker focusing
on that famous back of Shawn Michaels. We all know the history there.
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels' injured back cost him five years of his career.
Undertaker knows that well.
MATHEWS: I love the strategy. An injured limb takes away the chokeslam, the Last Ride,
the Tombstone and the Hell's Gate from the Undertaker.
MICHAEL: But right now it's the Undertaker whose got strategy
as he delivers a vicious, and vintage, leg drop.
JERRY: Boy, this has got to be disheartening to the Undertaker.
MICHAEL: And remember, gentlemen, Undertaker can do anything he wants
to Shawn Michaels outside the ring because of the stipulation in this match-up.
You've got to win by pinfall or submission.
JERRY: The main thing that had to be on the mind of the Undertaker,
where you're talking about, thinking about, devising your strategy
for a match as big as this, you've got to stay healthy, you've got to avoid injury.
And what happens right off the bat?
Undertaker suffers a knee injury.
MICHAEL: And Michaels goes for the injured leg. Figure Four Leglock locked in.
will Undertaker tap out to Shawn Michaels?
JERRY: Could you imagine that?
MATHEWS: Notice Undertaker keeping his hands... He took his hands off of Shawn.
MICHAEL: And Shawn Michaels
with everything he's got.
REFEREE: What do you say?
MATHEWS: The Undertaker is writhing in pain.
JERRY: It could happen, but I can't imagine seeing the Undertaker tap out.
MICHAEL: The Undertaker's tolerance for pain is legendary.
But how much can he take? Shoulders down.
You saw the look in the eyes of the Phenom.
Look at Shawn Michaels wearing down the Undertaker.
How much more can the Phenom take?
Will he tap out? Will the streak end?
JERRY: Look at this look on the Undertaker's face.
It's pain, it's rage, it's determination all at once.
Look at the Undertaker reversing that pressure.
MICHAEL: And Shawn Michaels finally breaks the hold,
realizing he was the man in trouble.
72,219 looking on at the most anticipated match
in the history of WrestleMania.
JERRY: You can see it here.
Undertaker's going to have to come up with a whole new strategy.
He's going to have to go on the defensive if he's to survive this.
MICHAEL: Undertaker unloading with a right hand.
Michaels as well, but Michaels doesn't want to get in a slugfest
with the best pure striker in the history of the WWE.
JERRY: You're right. I doubt the Undertaker even knows how to be defensive.
MATHEWS: I think a wounded Undertaker is a dangerous Undertaker.
MICHAEL: I agree with you.
Michaels...
Shawn Michaels countering the Undertaker at every turn thus far.
MATHEWS: Michael, you say that the Undertaker is the best pure striker in the WWE.
No one will disagree with you.
But an injured limb takes away your ability...
An injured leg, you lose your base, you can't throw those big right hands as well
as you'd normally be able to.
MICHAEL: And Michaels, kip-up! And how many times have we seen that?
How many times have we seen this?
Chokeslam! Is the career over?
Is the career over for Shawn Michaels? No, and a kick-out!
MATHEWS: He has risen, and right as we believe,
the Undertaker takes it right away.
MICHAEL: That was so close, so close
for Shawn Michaels' career to be over here tonight.
JERRY: You gotta know the determination that's in the heart of HBK.
MICHAEL: And Undertaker...
MICHAEL: Look at Michaels trying to battle back, trying to battle out.
Oh, no! Undertaker was going for the Tombstone Piledriver,
And Shawn Michaels...
MATHEWS: There is the ankle lock submission!
MICHAEL: And Michaels on the injured leg of the Undertaker,
has the ankle lock locked in. Will the Undertaker now tap out?
MATHEWS: I have been locked in this hold. The pressure on the ankle and the knee...
How is the Undertaker withstanding this pain?
JERRY: Oh, my gosh. Look at the Undertaker's foot.
It's not meant to bend that way.
MICHAEL: And you can hear the Undertaker screaming, "No! No!"
as Michaels pulls him back into the center of the ring.
MATHEWS: Compounding the pressure by hyper-extending the knee!
MATHEWS: Undertaker writhing in agony.
MATHEWS: Look at the way Shawn's legs are locked as well.
MICHAEL: The determination on the face of Shawn Michaels.
JERRY: I just still can't imagine...
MICHAEL: Shoulders! Shoulders!
JERRY: Maybe even with a broken ankle, I can't imagine the Undertaker
tapping out at WrestleMania. Can you?
MICHAEL: Not at all.
Not ending the streak on a submission.
I don't think anybody could see that coming.
Undertaker trying to do what he can.
MATHEWS: A near seven-foot frame coming into play, those long legs
JERRY: And those big feet finding their mark
on the side of Shawn Michaels' head.
MICHAEL: It has been such a physical battle since the beginning of this match.
JERRY: So much emotion here. We're talking about that streak,
but what about Shawn's career... Whoa!
Gone over that side!
Shawn Michaels has been obsessing about this match for over a year,
just thinking about trying to end the Undertaker's undefeated streak.
But then suddenly this match becomes about ending his career.
MICHAEL: Let's face it, we know what the Undertaker's
undefeated streak means to him.
But it can't mean as much as it does to the career of that man.
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels was caught in mid-air.
MATHEWS: Unbelievable strength and resiliency from the Undertaker!
MICHAEL: Look at Shawn Michaels trying to fight out! Oh, my God!
Tombstone Piledriver!
MATHEWS: This could be it! WrestleMania, the chance to live forever!
JERRY: Could be it. It's gotta be it, Shawn's head bounced off the floor!
MICHAEL: Remember, you cannot win this match-up via count-out.
You've gotta win the match via pinfall or submission.
The Tombstone Piledriver has damaged Shawn Michaels,
but it's not allowed the Undertaker to take advantage yet.
A Tombstone Piledriver outside the ring.
That's how much the streak means to the Undertaker.
JERRY: Somehow the Undertaker's got to get Shawn Michaels...
Shawn's unconscious. Barely moving now,
but the Undertaker's got to get him inside the ring somehow.
MICHAEL: Like I was saying before, King,
we know how much the streak means to the Undertaker.
But not as much as what the career means to Shawn Michaels.
Undertaker not even allowing
the doctors, the medical staff to attend to Shawn Michaels.
Getting Shawn back in the ring.
Looking to put Michaels away.
Into the cover, hook of the leg. Is the career over?
No! Not there!
MATHEWS: Emotionally, there's so much at stake.
We may never have this opportunity in this environment with these two
Superstars ever again.
Thank you, gentlemen. Look at this!
JERRY: Watch this. Watch Shawn's head hit the floor. Oh!
If the Undertaker had been able to get Shawn in the ring immediately after that,
this would be over right now.
MICHAEL: Remember, Undertaker and Shawn Michaels
have had a storied rivalry over the years,
perhaps none bigger than last year's 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania,
until this moment, streak versus career
as Undertaker looks to put Shawn Michaels away.
Michaels in trouble! Going for the Last Ride is the Undertaker.
Michaels is in deep, deep trouble.
MATHEWS: Michaels was able to counter.
MICHAEL: But wait a minute! I don't know if it was a counter,
or the fact that the Undertaker's leg buckled.
Here's the cover. Two-count kick-out!
JERRY: I don't know what happened either.
They both fell awkwardly. Let's take a look again.
MICHAEL: I think it's the Undertaker's injured leg, looked like it buckled there.
JERRY: No, and I think Shawn grabbed the Undertaker's hair
and drove his face into the mat.
MICHAEL: Perhaps a combination of both.
MATHEWS: Shawn Michaels.
MICHAEL: Oh, boy.
To the top rope!
JERRY: He's trying to capitalize here.
MICHAEL: With the WWE Universe in the background, looking on, Shawn Michaels...
The elbow!
MICHAEL: A counter!
MATHEWS: But how much did that take out of the Undertaker's injured leg?
MICHAEL: Undertaker countered, preserving an elbow to the heart.
Oh, what a match.
JERRY: Yeah. I don't know what it took out of the Undertaker's legs,
but it looks as though Shawn Michaels is now injured as well.
Watch the legs come up. Oh!
Right into the ribs of Shawn Michaels.
But desperate times call for desperate measures.
MICHAEL: Oh! Hell's Gate! Hell's Gate! Hell's Gate! Hell's Gate!
Undertaker looking to lock it in. And Michaels counters.
Shoulders down! And a kick-out at two.
Can you believe that?
What a counter by Shawn Michaels.
No one has ever countered the Hell's Gate, I believe.
MATHEWS: I've been in that move. You immediately pass out.
And Shawn Michaels knew the severity of the situation.
JERRY: Shawn just grasping for any part of the Undertaker he can get his hands on.
Thrown off.
MICHAEL: Sweet Chin Music! From out of nowhere!
MICHAEL: Is the streak over? Is the streak over?
Is it over? No! Kick-out at two and a half!
JERRY: What?
Talk about out of nowhere. Listen. Whoa!
Nobody saw that coming.
Certainly not the Undertaker. But he felt every bit of it.
How did the Undertaker kick out of that?
MICHAEL: Sweet Chin Music connecting.
Now Shawn Michaels tuning up the band again.
Gentlemen, he may have the opportunity to do what no other man has ever done
at WrestleMania, end the streak of the Undertaker, as he tunes up the band.
MATHEWS: Could it be a graveyard symphony?
JERRY: Blocked it.
Caught him.
Uh-oh.
MICHAEL: Oh, no.
Michaels up high.
MATHEWS: This is it!
Oh!
MICHAEL: Is it the end of Michaels' legendary career?
MATHEWS: We've auditioned our entire lives for this moment.
MICHAEL: Well, the Undertaker said Shawn Michaels' obsession would cause him to pay
the ultimate price. Is that price the Last Ride?
JERRY: I don't think I've ever seen that Last Ride delivered more emphatically,
more perfectly, and it didn't get the job done.
MICHAEL: Undertaker. You can almost see the wheels turning.
What does he need to do to put away the legendary Shawn Michaels?
JERRY: I mean, so many thoughts have got to be going through the Undertaker's mind.
I saw him slap his own knee a second ago.
It's like he's mad at himself for that injury.
He's frustrated.
It's pent-up emotion. What's he going to do here? Whoa!
MICHAEL: Well, remember, King, Shawn Michaels has no alternative
but to defeat the Undertaker.
This isn't about winning a match.
This is about saving a fabled 25-year career.
JERRY: Oh, no.
Watch out here, guys.
MICHAEL: Oh, Lord.
JERRY: Well, there goes our announce table.
MICHAEL: Well, this is just an example of what keeping the legendary streak intact means
to the Phenom.
Trying to knock feeling back into his leg.
The Undertaker knows he must win via pinfall or submission.
No count-outs, no disqualifications here.
And I don't know if you picked that up, ladies and gentlemen, I believe the Undertaker said,
"I'm going to end this thing right here, right now."
Going for the Last Ride.
JERRY: No, no, no, not there! Oh!
MICHAEL: Michaels from behind. Whoa! Sweet Chin Music!
Sweet Chin Music.
JERRY: Yeah, but the Undertaker's not in the ring.
He can't pin him out here on the table.
MICHAEL: But what can he do?
Michaels crawling to the apron.
The Undertaker's body strewn on the announce table.
Michaels gingerly making his way to the top rope.
JERRY: What is he doing?
What is Shawn thinking here?
JERRY: Oh, my God!
MICHAEL: Moonsault! Oh, my God!
A thunderous moonsault!
Undertaker, ladies and gentlemen, right here in front of us, grabbing and grasping
at that injured leg, in pain.
JERRY: I think Undertaker's leg is broken.
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels flailing around before coming to a stop.
JERRY: Look at the Undertaker's face. I swear I think his leg's broken.
MATHEWS: Shawn Michaels putting it all on the line.
Could this be the moment that we have all been waiting for?
MICHAEL: Undertaker, battle wounds and scars have formed on his body.
JERRY: Get out of the way, Michael, get out of the way.
MICHAEL: Undertaker's trying to crawl away up the barricade.
Michaels trying desperately to take advantage of an injured Phenom.
JERRY: I don't think Undertaker knows where he is.
MICHAEL: It doesn't matter. This is what this is about, King.
Michaels is trying to take advantage,
trying desperately to take advantage of the injury to the Undertaker.
He's looking to put the Undertaker away!
JERRY: I think this streak is over.
I think Undertaker's leg has snapped.
MICHAEL: Undertaker can't stand.
Neither can Michaels.
Shawn Michaels.
MICHAEL: Sweet Chin Music!
It's over! The streak is over!
The streak is over! Michaels has done it!
JERRY: What?
What?
MICHAEL: How on earth did the Undertaker kick out of Sweet Chin Music?
JERRY: How on earth does Undertaker do anything he does in the ring?
MATHEWS: Take a look here. Where else will you find this kind of emotion,
this kind of passion?
It only happens at WrestleMania.
JERRY: The fans behind me are chanting, "This is awesome."
And you are right.
MICHAEL: Ladies and gentlemen, we are so close to the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels
you can literally see their bodies shaking,
twitching in pain, in emotion.
Michaels back to his feet first. He is stalking.
He is tuning up the band. He is looking to put the Phenom away.
Sweet Chin Music.
JERRY: No, no, no, no!
MICHAEL: Chokeslam!
JERRY: Oh, my God!
How did he do it on that leg?
How did the Undertaker deliver that chokeslam?
Can he get the cover?
MICHAEL: Can Undertaker pin Shawn Michaels here?
Will he end the storied career?
JERRY: I don't even know if Undertaker can even stand on that leg.
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels has not moved since the chokeslam.
Oh, my.
How is Undertaker still standing?
JERRY: I don't know why he doesn't just try to cover him.
MICHAEL: Oh, no.
Undertaker, again, going for a Tombstone Piledriver.
Trying to drive the career of Michaels into the burial plot.
MICHAEL: The career of Shawn Michaels is over!
No!
He kicked out!
MATHEWS: 70,000-plus on their feet!
MICHAEL: Shawn Michaels will not surrender.
Shawn Michaels has no quit.
JERRY: The Phenom cannot believe it!
Nor can I!
Nor can the 70,000 fans.
MICHAEL: Undertaker, disbelief for the first time in his career, crossing his face.
You can feel the emotion
seeping through the pores of over 72,000 fans here in Phoenix.
No one wants this streak to end.
No one wants their career to end.
Something has to give at WrestleMania.
JERRY: I'm just trying to read the thoughts, the emotion, on the face of the Undertaker.
What is he thinking now?
Is he having self doubts?
Is he wondering if he has what it takes to put Shawn Michaels away?
Or is he just trying to think of his next assault?
MATHEWS: I think the Undertaker realizes
he is in the ring with his toughest opponent ever.
JERRY: Uh-oh.
MICHAEL: Michaels is twisted.
Michaels' body is bent.
JERRY: Oh!
Perhaps respect shown for the career of Shawn Michaels.
Stay down!
JERRY: Listen.
MICHAEL: Oh!
Well, if Shawn Michaels is going out, he's going out as defiant as ever.
JERRY: That look of disbelief on the face of the Undertaker
has turned into a look of rage!
MICHAEL: Tombstone!
Here's the cover!
REFEREE: One, two, three.
(BELL DINGS)
Shawn Michaels' career is over.
JUSTIN: The winner of this match, the Undertaker!
(REST IN PEACE PLAYING)
MICHAEL: Ladies and gentlemen, defiant to the end,
Shawn Michaels.
Rarely does a match live up to expectations, does a match live up to its hype.
I believe tonight we saw that, and much, much more.
JERRY: Oh, way surpassed what anyone could have expected.
A match of this magnitude,
so much riding on it.
And what a match it was. A classic for all time.
Both of these great Superstars completely spent.
I just can't believe that Shawn Michaels' career is over.
MICHAEL: The Undertaker's legendary 18-0 streak is intact.
But at what cost?
The cost of the legendary Shawn Michaels' career.
JERRY: I mean, in the end, we saw, we heard Shawn Michaels
being told by the Undertaker to stay down. Look at this.
We saw, we heard, we actually heard the Undertaker telling Shawn Michaels to stay down.
But Shawn, as you said, Michael, defiant.
You know, signaling the end himself and then slapping the Undertaker in the face.
Oh, now what?
(INAUDIBLE)
You guys, there is the ultimate show of respect.
MATHEWS: There are moments that will live forever.
(INAUDIBLE)
JERRY: I don't know if I've ever seen a moment like this.
This might be the ultimate WrestleMania moment.
(INAUDIBLE)