Now Streaming: The Undertaker versus Triple H – The WWE Network Collection

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The WWE does this a lot.

Make larger than life claims. Advertise “dream matches”. Tout a star as “the best of their era”.

It’s all a very successful formula to create business and sell tickets. But The Undertaker versus Triple H, there actually is something special there.

While both men dabbled in other promotions when starting out their careers, once they called WWE (or WWF) “home” there was no leaving. Both stars made their names in WWE and have endured for over 30 years. That is almost unheard of in today’s television climate of always wanting something newer or better. Yes, The Undertaker and Triple H have always been “better” and they’re really hoping to prove it once more at WWE Super Show-Down.

The WWE Network decided to compile all of the encounters between these two heavyweights and from everywhere from Kuwait to WrestleMania, Triple H and The Undertaker have battled across the globe and in every match imaginable. Now let’s take a look at some of the highlights of their decades long rivalry.

 

  • First match up is a Hidden Gem match from the Kuwait Cup tournament back in May of 1996. Triple is still Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Taker is in his purple incarnation, still with Paul Bearer by his side.
  • Looks like long-time timekeeper Mark Yeaton is the referee for this match so that’s a bit of trivia.
  • Hunter took over the match with an illegal object wrapped around his fist. When Taker caught him and used it against Helmsley, the referee caught him and disqualified the Deadman. Triple H rounded off the night by double legging Yeaton and almost Gerald Brisco while selling the knockout punch from Taker. “Baby” Earl Hebner can be seen in the background laughing.

 

TRIPLE H: 1

UNDERTAKER: 0

 

  • Another Hidden Gem from an episode of Shotgun Saturday night. Hunter is still Hunter Hearst Helmsley but he’s acquired the Intercontinental Championship. This match is for the IC Championship and it takes place… in a subway station. Ahhh, the Attitude Era.
  • Thank God they didn’t turn off the lights in Penn Station for The Undertaker’s entrance. Someone would have probably been stabbed. Ironically, Taker enters by walking down an unmoving escalator rather than letting it carry him down like it was WrestleMania. He then fights thru a sea of New Yorkers just to hit the ring at the same time as a commercial break.
  • Ref bump seconds after we return from commercial. I miss Shotgun.
  • Like in Kuwait, Hunter tries to hit Taker with an illegal object (the IC title) but Taker counters and hits the champion with his own belt. DQ win for HHH as the two legends brawl into the masses.
  • Somehow someone turned on the escalator cause The Undertaker decided to Tombstone HHH at the top and let the IC champion ride down.

 

TRIPLE H: 2

UNDERTAKER: 0

 

  • We’re still in 1997 when we see RAW IS WAR for the first time as Taker makes his way to the ring. He is the current WWF World Champion and is suffering from facial burns thanks to a new rivalry with Mankind (aka Mick Foley).
  • The budding “Triple H” (but still Hunter) enters with his newly addition, Chyna. The Champ gets a jump on the pre-“Game” but Hunter counters and controls most of the bulk of the contest.
  • Mankind interrupts this match with a blow torch and attacks Taker. Triple H and Chyna powder and are happy taking the “no contest”.

 

TRIPLE H: 2

UNDERTAKER: 0

 

  • Another special event, another Hidden Gem. This one comes from a special edition of Friday Night Main Event. Triple H and Chyna enter a nondescript arena while The Undertaker’s entrance is missing the WWF title. This match is post-SummerSlam ’97 where Taker lost the title to Bret Hart, thanks in part to budding-heel Shawn Michaels. These were the grassroots for D-Generation X so this match takes place at the beginning of the stable.
  • Rick Rude makes an appearance as Shawn and Hunter’s insurance policy. This was one of the last appearances by Rude before he left WWF for WCW. Rude distracts Taker so HBK can sneak attack the Deadman from behind. This is the first time we see HHH and HBK aligned, even if it’s not as DX yet. Their friendship has been involved with The Undertaker rivalry since practically the beginning.

 

TRIPLE H: 2

UNDERTAKER: 1

 

  • Just a few short weeks later and Triple H versus The Undertaker is featured once again on RAW. This time HHH has not only Chyna but also new WWF European Champion Shawn Michaels. DX is all but created except for the name and its interesting seeing Michaels and Helmsley with such giant chips on their shoulders.
  • Undertaker attempts his entrance but is attacked by The Hart Foundation before being saved by The Patriot and Vader, of all people. Hunter and Shawn seize the opportunity and beat-down Taker on the ramp.
  • HHH controls the match back in the ring once again until Taker does his first of a “Hulk Up.” DX isn’t going to watch this so Rude attacks Taker with a briefcase as HBK enters the ring as well. DX brings out a bodybag to stuff the Deadman in to but he sits up! Taker chases off the rest of DX and then chases Michaels up the TitanTron to close out the show.

 

TRIPLE H: 2

UNDERTAKER: 2

 

  • There are problems in the Corporate Ministry as stablemates Undertaker and Triple H battle for the WWE Championship on Monday Night RAW.
  • This is the first time we’re really seeing The Undertaker as a heel in this rivalry. Even though Triple H is also a “black hat,” Undertaker is the top dog and HHH is playing the eager youngster.
  • You know you’re in the Attitude Era when there’s a sign in the crowd that just says “Porn”.
  • Once again, as we’ve seen in almost every contest, Triple H gets the upper hand with technical wrestling and controls much of the match.
  • The match ends in another DQ when The Rock interrupted the match and attacked The Undertaker. Triple H is disqualified and The Undertaker retains the championship.

 

TRIPLE H: 2

UNDERTAKER: 3

 

  • Another RAW, another WWF Championship match between Corporate Ministry members The Undertaker and Triple H.
  • Here is the first time Vince McMahon is show fully supporting Triple H but unfortunately the match barely gets going before Stone Cold Steve Austin interrupts the match, earning a disqualification victory for the Deadman once again.

 

TRIPLE H: 2

UNDERTAKER: 4

 

  • For the first time we are on SmackDown and for the first time, Triple H is accompanied to the ring by Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley. It’s a no-DQ match between “The Game” and the new motorcycle riding “American Bad Ass.”
  • Kurt Angle also makes his debut in this rivalry as he clocks Taker with a sledgehammer when aiming for Triple H, giving HHH the pinfall win.

 

TRIPLE H: 3

UNDERTAKER: 4

 

  • Next is their match at WrestleMania X-Seven. I won’t cover this match as its been so well documented. Taker wins.

 

TRIPLE H: 3

UNDERTAKER: 5

 

  • One half of the Two Man Power Trip team, WWF Tag Team and Intercontinental Champion Triple H faces The Undertaker on SmackDown again in a Hardcore Match.
  • After a rough match, Taker looks to Last Ride powerbomb Triple H off of the steel steps in the ring and to the outside when Steve Austin appears with the distraction. HHH is able to capitalize but Kane appears to run off the Two Man Power Trip, ending this match in a No Contest.

 

TRIPLE H: 3

UNDERTAKER: 5

 

  • We skip a couple of years and end up on London, England at Wembley Stadium for this encounter. At this Insurrextion event, the story is Undertaker cost Triple H the WWE Undisputed Championship to Hulk Hogan at the previous PPV. HHH is the babyface in this battle while Taker will be playing the bad guy.
  • England must be good luck for the former “blue blood” as Taker is hit with a massive Pedigree for a decisive three count.

 

TRIPLE H: 4

UNDERTAKER: 5

 

  • We’re very close to the brand split here but we still have an Undisputed Champion in The Undertaker after he defeated Hulk Hogan. It’s King of the Ring 2002 (the crowning of Brock Lesnar as King) and its champion The Undertaker versus challenger Triple H.
  • A bloody Triple H had the win and the championship but the referee was knocked out. The evil Undertaker took this opportunity to low-blow Triple H and school boy him for the pin.

 

TRIPLE H: 4

UNDERTAKER: 5

 

  • The Beast Brock Lesnar is reigning supreme as WWE Champion but that doesn’t mean HHH and Taker are out of the conversation. They meet here for the chance to challenge Lesnar for the WWE Championship.
  • These two combatants start out strong and continue until referee Hebner gets squashed in the corner. Lesnar enters to confront Taker but Triple H is the one with a low-blow this time around. Lesnar eventually recovers and strikes Taker with the Undisputed Title behind the referee’s back, leading to a Triple H victory.

 

TRIPLE H: 5

UNDERTAKER: 5

 

  • It took SIX YEARS for these two men to meet in a ring again. We’re post WWE Draft and Triple H & The Undertaker are already at legendary status. Triple H is a 12-time WWE Champion and The Undertaker is back to being dead.
  • Probably the best back-and-forth match between these two legends played like a “greatest hits” of the two stars. Finisher teases and near-falls kept the excitement level at a fever pitch before The Big Show interrupts the contest to attack The Undertaker and eventually Triple H as well. No Contest.

 

TRIPLE H: 5

UNDERTAKER: 5

 

  • WrestleMania 27 is next up so we’ll skim over it. Undertaker defeats Triple H at WrestleMania for the second time.

 

TRIPLE H: 5

UNDERTAKER: 6

 

  • It’s the “End of an Era” as Triple H challenges The Undertaker again at WrestleMania, but this time in Hell in a Cell.
  • This is also the third time we see Shawn Michaels involved with this feud as he is the special referee for this HIAC match.
  • Both men destroy one another in a 40-minute epic that saw The Undertaker standing tall at WrestleMania once again.

 

TRIPLE H: 5

UNDERTAKER: 7

 

The “last match ever” between The Undertaker and Triple H sees the Deadman favored at -165 according to SportsBettingDime.com. Taker beat HHH the last two times they squared off, but the pair haven’t met in the ring since 2012 with The Undertaker leading their series of matches 7-5.  But these legends aren’t rolling thru their primes right now. If anything, this year has seemed a bit of a farewell tour of sorts for Undertaker and Triple H has no problem doing “what’s best for business.” The Deadman should emerge victorious in a match that leaves the potentially record-setting crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground smiling.

Follow Matthew on Twitter @HTCHarrak Visit his site at HTCwrestling.com Email him at MHPulse@4sternstaging.com Become a fan on Facebook