The Undertaker has been very open about letting fans take a look behind the curtain since he retired from in-ring competition following the Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36, and he’s been sharing some interesting stories from his career.
One of the most infamous stories from Taker’s legendary run involves him and Shawn Michaels, and The Deadman’s concern that HBK wasn’t going to drop the WWE Title to Steve Austin at WrestleMania 14.
The story goes that Taker was standing in the Gorilla Position taping up his hands as he prepared to get physical with Shawn Michaels if Michaels didn’t do business. The former WWE Champion recently spoke to the New York Post about his relationship with HBK, and he noted that he didn’t like the Hall of Famer early in his career.
“Early on in my career and when Shawn was there, I didn’t care for Shawn personally. I thought he was an arrogant little s–t. That being said, still no one I would rather get in the ring with it and work [with]. That’s just how good he is. Shawn, everyone knows the story, is supposed to drop the belt to Steve. Shawn was being Shawn in my opinion and like I didn’t know if he was gonna do it. My intention was to make sure one way or another business was done that night.”
When asked about the story during an interview with Inside The Ropes back in 2018, Michaels said that there was “no truth to that whatsoever” and that he never saw Taker that day. The Deadman admitted that he felt bad about not being honest with Michaels because they have a different relationship now.
“I felt so bad because our relationship had changed so much that he goes, ‘Were you really gonna beat me up?’ I was like, ‘No man that’s just all rumor. Taping my hands up and everything, come on.’ He goes, ‘I didn’t think so. I mean that really didn’t sound like you.’ The whole time in my head I’m like, ‘I was gonna smash you if you didn’t drop that belt to Steve.’ But yeah, he’s a completely different person, I love him to death now. But, yeah, that’s the story. I was sitting there hands taped ready to do whatever I needed to be done.”
Ultimately HBK did drop the belt to Austin, and he and Taker went on to become much better friends.
