Undertaker wasn't ready in 2014.
The Undertaker is finally going into the WWE Hall of Fame this year and he will have the distinction of having Vince McMahon induct him.
Speaking with the Dallas Morning News, The Undertaker talked about the pressure of formatting his speech for the Hall of Fame and compared it to formatting a WrestleMania match.
“I'm honestly a bit overwhelmed right now with the speech. It's like the closest thing [pressure-wise] that I've had to do since putting a WrestleMania match together. I've been pretty much pressure free for the last couple of years since the Boneyard Match and you know there's, after a 30+ year career with WWE, the speeches — and trying to be different, and not give that same thing that most people do it's become a task all to itself,” he said. “This is the second time that I was invited into the Hall of Fame. I wasn't as shocked this time. I turned it down the first time because I knew I had unfinished business. I wasn't at that place yet where I was ready to let go and say, “It's over.’ This time, I've made my peace and I'm just honored and humbled that they would induct me.”
Furthermore, Undertaker reveals that the first offer came after he lost his WrestleMania undefeated streak to Brock Lesnar in 2014. Undertaker did not want to go out on a match that he couldn't even remember.
"My goodness. I want to say it was after the Brock WrestleMania," said Undertaker. "Yeah, I think it was after that. In my head, I couldn't end on a match that I didn't remember. You know, I got concussed and I don't remember even having that match. So I wanted to at least have a match that I could remember. I kept working here and there for the next few years and then trying to leave on that upbeat note. Fortunately, we had the Boneyard Match and I said, 'Alright, that's it. I think I'm good. It's time to call it a day.' Now, here we are."
The Undertaker would end up having several more matches with Brock Lesnar in the year 2015 all leading up to his final match at WrestleMania 36 against AJ Styles. His final farewell came at the 2020 Survivor Series event.
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