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Page 23 of 35
Casket Match: The Undertaker vs. Hunter
As we return to the ring area we find it shrouded in blackness, the only light being that from the stage where the familiar eiree purple glow emanates around the entrance way, the dull groaning Latin chant to the Druids filling the air as we see the first two walk out, at the front end of the casket, two more at the side and two more behind
"Well... this is what you call gutcheck time for Hunter folks. While Hell in a Cell is brutal, its horrific and career shortening... you know what to expect, its a cage for two gladiators... the casket match however is eiree, disturbing and where the Undertaker is concerned.... Satanic" claims JR as the chanting Druids slowly bring the casket down the long aisle, almost like a funeral procession
"JR... you come face to face with something you only expect to see at your death - a casket, being locked in there, no air, no room... thats a horrifying thought JR" goes King, somber and seemingly genuinely worried
"The object of the match of course is to get your opponent into the casket and shut the lid, the Undertaker vastly experienced in this environment as was mentioned on WWE.com just a few days ago. Hunter however has his strength advantage, it maybe difficult for the Deadman to close that lid unless Hunter is unconscious"
"I wouldn't bet against that happening JR, you saw what happened on SmackDown, Hunter has to be concussed already after being Tombstoned on that very casket. This is Undertakers stage, his match.... i think Hunters in for a very long night JR" worries Lawler as the Druids reach the end of the aisle, leaving the casket against the side of the ring.
"Well i believe Hunter's a fighter King, he's proved that during his alliance with Nightmare, he's stepped up to the plate and lemme tell ya, this one aint gunna be pretty, theres no catch as catch can classic here, this will be a good old fashioned physical fight between two hosses"
"Its gunna be bowling shoe ugly" laughs King
"Yessir it is, its gunna be about size and power and i really think in that department, this one maybe too close to call" finishes JR as the black cloaked Druids return back up the aisle, the camera picking out a "RIP Hunter" sign as well as one in support of the Union man before getting a good long look at the casket, the crowd suddenly erupting in ovation as the chants end and the speakers burst to life, the opening chords of The Lost Prophets Make a Move echoing around Ford Field
"So are we lost or do we know... Which direction we should go...? Sit around and wait for someone to take our hands and lead the way... Cause every day we're getting older and every day we all get colder... We're sick of waiting for our answers..." begins the music as the arena stays dark, lights and cameras flashing all around as a second pop goes up - Hunter bounding onto stage, an explosion of white pyro going off behind him as he heads across the stage
"WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE UP... YEAH SO TIRED OF WAITING, WAITING FOR US TO... WAKE UP, WAKE UP, WAKE UP... YEAH SO TIRED OF WAITING, FOR US TO MAKE A MOVE"
Hunter appears to be fine following the Undertakers actions at SmackDown as strides confidently toward the casket and ring as Lillian announces the match
"Ladies and gentlemen the following match is the CASKET MATCH, where the winner will be the first man to lock his opponent inside the casket. Introducing first, from Chicago Illinois, weighing Two Hundred and Ninety Three pounds..... HUUUUUUNTER" she cries, the man himself now stood in front of the casket. As Lillian finishes he slams both hands down on top of the oak, signaling he holds no fear of it before marching around to the steps and climbing them into the ring
"This all started over Two months ago prior to the Royal Rumble folks when Nightmare and Hunter broke away from the Corporate Ministry, upset at what they saw as the Undertaker growing influence over the group." goes Ross as Hunter poses atop the far Turnbuckles, looking ripped
"JR why don't you tell the real story? most of these fans know it - Hunter and Nightmare fell into Mr McMahons trap, he WANTED them out of the Corporate Ministry and they fell for it" claims King, Ross unconvinced still
"Well either way it led to a hell of a feud between the Union and the Undertaker and Doomsday King, Hunter costing them the World Tag Team Championships after hitting the Spinning Rack Pancake on the Deadman and ever since he's singled out Hunter, punishing him in the cage as well as the incident with the casket" he goes as the Lost Prophets cut and Hunter hops down, moving to his corner and staring up at the stage, still showing no intimidation as the Latin chants start again, the crowd somewhere between cheering, booing and simply staring in awe as row upon row of Druids with flaming torches file out of the entrance way one after the other, all in a perfect line, the flames flickering as they slowly line the stage and rampway....
BONG
The first death knell echoes through Ford Field to a pop from the crowd, Hunter still looking on impassive, not falling for the mindgames as the second knell sounds
BONG
Every light except the TitanTron and torches no cuts before a clap of thunder and the third BONG signal the start of the organs
BONG
BONG, the camera goes to the entrance as the music fully hits, the shadow of the Deadman stood in front of a blinding blue light, cracks of lightning and electricity shooting around him as he strides forward, his long coat flowing as his figure becomes clear, walking through light and dry ice like a demon rising from the depths. Undertaker stands at the top of the ramp as a massive flair of red pyro bursts off to contracts the electrical blue, again it does before one massive explosion of flame across the stage, again, again, through fire and ice the Deadman walks
"And his opponent.... from Death Valley... weighing Three Hundred and Five Pounds..... THEEEEEE UUUUUUUUNDERTAKER" calls out Lillian as the Deadman continues to walk the aisle
"The Undertaker possibly the most dominant Superstar in the history of WWE folks, his record at WrestleMania is beyond impressive, former WWE Champion, World Tag Team Champion and bah Gawd one evil sadistic son of a..."
"Now wait a minute JR..." interrupts Lawler as Ross is in full flow "You need to pay you respects to the Phenom, this guy practically runs things around here, he took out Steve Austin, took out Shawn Michaels, RVD, Sabu, MNM, the list of the Undertakers victims is endless and i believe right here tonight at WrestleMania he's gunna add Hunter to that list" he claims
"Well that maybe so King and quite frankly i'm just impressed Hunter even made it here tonight after that brutal attack on SmackDown, he's survived the physical assault, survived the legendary mindgames but can Hunter go one better and defeat the Undertaker on his own terms?" JR asks as the Lord of Darkness gazes upon the casket before robotically turning and slowly heading for the steps, climbing to the top and slowly raising his arms to bring up the lights, the crowd popping again as the big screen shows the Deadmans eyes rolled into the back of his head
"God almighty" spits the ever-stunned Ross, Taker climbing through the rope and standing in his corner, eyes already locked on Hunter who simply scowls as he moves slightly forward, our Referee Marty Elias keeping him back.
"Can ya feel this atmosphere King, its tension, expectation.... the crowd sensing either a career defining victory... or possibly a beating like he's never felt before for Hunter"
"You're right JR..." agrees King as Taker begins to remove his coat and hat "A victory for Hunter would be massive... but lemme ask ya, after defeating Austin and HBK... what would a victory do for the Undertaker?" he counters as we see our two competitors, the Phenom not taking his eyes off Hunter once, trying to still get in his head
"Well the Undertaker has been increasing his power throughout the year King and many rumors suggest he maybe gearing up to a shot at the WWE Championship, thats pure speculation however folks and right here tonight all that matters is this contest and whether EITHER man will be even fit enough to make such a challenge come next Monday" worries JR, another crack of thunder ringing out as the Undertaker drops his coat to the outside and turns back toward Hunter, stood tall as Hunter paces, the adrenaline pumping, ready for the bell. The Referee senses both men are ready and dispenses with going over the rules, simply calling for the bell and this one is suddenly underway..... and Hunter smashes into the Undertaker with a clothesline, the quick bell maybe catching the Undertaker off guard and that adrenaline of the Union man is suddenly being unleased as Taker quickly staggers up, Hunter unleashing volley after volley of right hands into the corner, right hand, right hand... and Takers countering, shaking off the blows with a right of his own, again, again, trying to fight out of the corner but the furious punches of Hunter are finding their mark, ploughing into the Deadmans head, those massive soup bones as JR calls them, one after the other..... till the Deadman switches, grabbing Hunter and spinning him into the corner instead - strike, strike, strike, perfect piston like rights from the best striker in the game today, again, again, this one a slugfest already.... and now Hunter reverses, Taker back in the corner, another right by the Union man, grabs the arm, sends Taker charging across the ring with massive velocity... and he hits the pads, staggers forward.... ducks the attempted clothesline by Hunter, around and behind, Hunter spins - Hip Toss by the Deadman... and a second as Hunter staggers up, the Phenom backing away and allowing his opponent a little time to get up, allowing him to think about being taken off his feet - more mindgames by the Deadman. Hunter seems unaffected however as he uses the ropes to get up, making the most of the opportunity to recover before standing and reapproaching the Deadman, both competitors looking for the Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Converted into the Side Headlock by the Undertaker, both men backward into the ropes... and Taker sends Hunter running, across the ring, rebounding - hits the Phenom with the big Shoulder Block and this time its Hunter strolling away as if he had all the time in the World, tapping his head and giving the Deadman a little something to think about. The Undertaker has a sadistic smile on his face as he rises, probably just deciding how he's going to punish his opponent for that suggests Ross as the two circle and hook up again, into the ropes once more and for the second time the Deadman sends Hunter running, off the ropes, Taker bends for the Back Body Drop.... kicked under the chin, Hunter seizing the opening and following with a right, another, one from the Undertaker as he tries to fend off this string early offense from his opponent. The right hand is struck well and Hunter staggers... but comes back with one of his own, again, again, three more rights in all before Taker goes into the ropes, springing off, the momentum assisting him as he strikes back, unbalancing the Union man and allowing him to grab the arm - Taker sends Hunter into the corner and heads for the opposite one. Hunter hangs limp as the Deadman takes a run..... Turnbuckle Clothesline, big time impact. The Phenom backs up, allows Hunter to stagger forward before scooping him up... Snake Eyes onto the top pad. The Undertaker quickly goes running into the ropes as Hunter staggers backward, rebounds off the, charging at his opponent.... Big Boot, a CRACK sounding out around Ford Field as Hunters head snaps back, collapsing to the canvas. The Deadmans charging into the ropes again, measuring Hunter as he rebounds at him flattened form... Legdrop, almost shades of Hulk Hogan as the big leg is dropped across the throat. The Deadman doesn't stand, wiping his hair from his face he gestures for our Referee on the outside to open the casket lid, the Deadman rolling him toward the ropes, thinking of putting him out under the bottom rope it seems but Hunter is uncooperative, grabbing the ropes to stop himself. Taker stands, annoyed and stomping Hunter, putting is foot over his throat, bending his head back over the edge of the apron and all legal. The Deadman finally breaks and grabs the Union man, helping him to his feet and after another right hand he grabs the arm, twisting it around for the Arm Wringer, totally in control now as he backs up to the corner, mounting the Turnbuckles backward as thousands of cameras seem to flash in unison... the Phenom walks the ropes, Hunters arm in his hands... and he leaps off -
"OLD SCHOOL.. THE UNDERTAKER CONNECTS WITH THE OLD SCHOOL" spits Ross, his opponent hitting that mats. Taker staggers a few steps forward before tossing his hair back and strolling around behind Hunter whos just rising to his feet. The Deadman holds his hand aloft, the Chokeslam imminent as the Union man stands, back to Taker... he turns.... SLAP, the hand is thrust around the throat.... Gut Kick by Hunter, the hold broken with the quick counter. The Undertaker staggers back to the ropes, his opponent grabs the arm - Irish Whip, Taker runs and rebound, flying at Hunter.... trademark Flying Lariat, both men down and Hunter rolling out under the bottom rope to recover well away from the Deadman. Taker takes a few moments to recover, getting up and looking irritated as he exits, grabbing the rising Hunter by the back of the head and walking him around to the casket... and he slams his head down onto the wood - CRACK, the Union man staggers back, Taker grabbing it again.... CRACK, Hunters head smacks off the unforgiving oak once more before scooping him up.... and Hunter is laid on top of the casket, the Deadman shoving the second Referee away as he position his opponent correctly, legs in the ring and head dangling over the edge of the coffin, horizontally facing the entrance way. The Deadman backs up, measures Hunters exposed head, charges at him... Running Elbow from Taker, the Lord of Darkness giving a sadistic look at his opponent, getting an idea in his Satanic mind as he heads for the ring steps, slowly climbing them onto the apron
"Oh now wait a minute...." begins JR, suspecting whats in the Deadmans mind as he measures up Hunter whos still laid over the casket, head dangling off the end in thin air. Taker runs along the apron, leaps diagonally toward Hunters head...
"LEGDROP, GOD ALMIGHTY HIS NECK MUST BE BROKEN" screams Ross as the massive frame of the Deadman smashes down across the exposed head, cracking it back and sending Hunter sliding off the wood down to the mats, seemingly unconscious. Ross is already calling this one for the Undertaker as the lid of the casket is lifted, Taker bending to grab Hunter by the head, pulling him up..... and tipping him into the casket from to top end... Taker makes to shut the lid.... but Hunter is just up enough to put his arms up, blocking it from coming down. Taker struggles with it, trying to slam it on Hunter but the Union mans strength wins out and with a huge shove he pushes the lid up and Taker away. The Deadman is quickly back though, going for a right as Hunter stands - blocked and Hunter strikes Taker so send him staggering into the aisle before he climbs out of the casket and grabs the Deadman, rolling him back under the bottom rope into the ring and following. The Undertaker is already on his feet as Hunter re-enters - right hand by Taker, again, again, Hunter swaying into the corner where the Deadman hits a nasty looking Back Elbow, grabs the arm, looks for the Irish Whip... reversed by Hunter into the Short Arm Whip, pulls Taker back toward him... scooped up into an amazing Body Press, the stunned crowd gasping and shooting their cameras as Hunters legs start to give way under the weight, the big man crying out with a roar before planting his opponent - Body Press Slam and Hunter goes down to his knees next to the Phenom, exhausted. After a long pause, Hunter stands, the Deadman also getting to his knees, helped fully to his feet by his opponent who hits a big right, another clubbing blow to send Big Evil back into the corner where a rush suddenly overtakes the Union member, left, right, left, right, left, right, almost Undertaker style ballistic punches as Hunter strikes his opponent about the face and torso. Hunter steps back and allows his opponent to stagger a few paces forward- Spinebuster in the corner, big time impact and Hunter leaps to his feet, the crowd roaring as he moves away, calling for their support and sensing that the end maybe near for the Deadman . Hunter turns and moves into the stalking position as the Phenom begins to slowly rise. Takers half up, Hunter pounces, scoops him up over his shoulders as the crowd roar, anticipating the Pancake.... counted by the Undertaker who slides down the back, on his feet behind the Union man, Hunter quickly spins.... SLAP, the hand goes around the throat, hoisted....
"CHOKESLAM, THE CHOKESLAM TA HELL" spits Ross as Hunter is drilled into the canvas, Taker staggering back under the momentum of the impact before he sweeps back his hair and slowly draws his thumbs across his throat, calling for the Tombstone. The Phenom slowly turns, that evil look in his eyes as the seemingly oblivious Hunter starts to struggle to his feet, back to the Deadman. Hunters on his knees, his feet... he turns..... scooped up by the Undertaker, the crowed on their feet, holding their breath as Hunter goes over the Deadmans shoulder, Taker trying to center him..... but Hunters struggle, manages to slide down the back himself this time, behind Taker as he spins, the crowd erupting as now its the Deadman whos scooped up, onto the shoulders....
"THE PANCAKE... THE SPINNING RACK PANCAKE, HUNTER HITS IT" screams JR, the crowd deafening as Hunter quickly gestures for the casket to be opened, rolling the Deadman toward it....and the Deadman falls into it from the ring,Hunter sensing the victory, rolling from the ring so he can shut the lid. He looks victorious as he tries to do just that.... but suddenly a hand shoots up from within, the Union man with a look of shock on his face as the Undertaker sits bolt upright in the casket, rising to his feet with Hunters neck still in his hand. He steps out of the casket, throws the arm over, planning on Chokeslamming his opponent on the mats it seems... elbow by Hunter, another, another, again, desperately trying to break away, knowing its all over if the Deadman hits this..... Taker breaks, staggering away into the aisle, his arm left open to be grabbed by Hunter..... Irish Whip into the Casket, the Phenom looking in pain as he hits back first and Hunter goes down to his hands and knees, desperately trying to get his wind back before the Undertaker recovers. Hunter looks up and you can almost see the disbelief in his eyes as the Deadman is seen to rise. The Union man is desperate and charges wildly, head down and looking for the Shoulder Thrust into the casket.... the Phenom has is it scouted... CRAAAAAAAAAAAACK, the Undertaker scores with the Back Body Drop, Hunter sailing over his huge frame and onto the top of the casket behind him, a crack echoing out as Hunters back hits it, his legs tangled in the ropes. The Deadman wastes no time, climbing up after him and after just a moment to gain his strength he reaches down and picks up Hunter, just about untangled from the ropes, both men perched precariously on the over sized casket, no much room... but Taker managers to scoop up Hunter, over his shoulder as the crowd anticipate it....
"OH MY GOD... WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE...." cries Ross as Hunter is centered, head between the Deadmans legs.....
CRACK
"TOMBSTONE, TOMBSTONE ON THE CASKET, SON OF A BITCH"
Takers off the casket, pulling the unconscious Hunter off with him and yanking open the lid of the casket, the crowd sensing this most now surely be over as Hunter is hauled up and over into it. Taker grabs the lid....... and shuts it
BONG, The Darkest Side hits as the lights cut and the bell sounds out, the crowd booing as the casket is bathed in that purple light
"And the Undertaker has won it, son of a bitch" spits Ross, the Deadman down to one knee in front of the coffin and praising it as Lillian officially announces him as the winner
"Ladies and gentlemen.. the winner of this match... THEEEEEE UNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDERTAKER" shes cries as we see the Druids coming down the aisle, Taker rising to his feet and slowly bringing up his arms in front of the casket
"Well the Undertaker has won it folks, Hunter locked inside that damn casket after another sadistic Tombstone on the wood...." goes Ross as the screen cuts in half, showing us the replay of the finish, Hunters head cracking onto the thick oak of the casket
"That is pure sadism folks, Hunter could have a concussion or who knows what else besides" states the grim Ross as we see the Druids now leading the casket back up the aisle
"Oh come on.... Hunter needs help Godammit.... this isn...."
JR cuts himself off as we see the Undertaker now following the procession back up the aisle, seemingly directing proceedings
"You've won the match dammit, Hunter needs to be got out of that casket and got some medial attention" spits Ross but the Ministry pays his words no attention as they head backstage
"Hunter seemingly at the mercy of the Undertaker folks, this is NOT scheduled, only WWE designated officials were meant to open that casket, get the loser of this match medical aid which quite frankly i suspect Hunter may need, it was a hell of a hardhitting match as we suspected it would be, Hunter a hell of a hoss as we know, the Deadman putting him away with that vile shot onto the wood"
The Undertaker follows the procession backstage and his music cuts, JR promising to bring us an update on the condition and status of Hunter later in the show if possible before we fade away and head to the parking lot here at Ford Field....
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WrestleMania 23