WWE WrestleMania 30 PPV Results
April 6, 2014
New Orleans, La. at the Superdome
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WM30 Third Hour - 8:00 p.m. CST local time

The third hour started with a video package on last night's Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Back in the Superdome, Howard Finkel kept his streak alive by introducing the 2014 HOF class. The group was already on the stage to cut down on introductions. The line-up was Jake Roberts, Mr. T, Paul Bearer's sons, Carlos Colon, Lita, and Scott Hall/Razor Ramon. Suddenly, Ultimate Warrior's music played. Hall did the Outsiders pose before Warrior slowly emerged on-stage and saluted the crowd. Warrior pointed to his heart and emotionally thanked the crowd. No run to the ring to shake the ropes.

Trainer's Room: A trainer examined Daniel Bryan's shoulder in anticipation of the WWE World Title match later tonight.

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL were shown on-camera to reset the show and hype New Orleans as the host city.

Video Package: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar in The Streak match.

In-ring: Brock Lesnar emerged on-stage with Paul Heyman dressed in his fight night beanie and UFC gear. JBL listed Lesnar's accolades as Lesnar and Heyman slowly made their way to the ring. The sound of druids chanting then filled the arena before WWE showed caskets lined up representing all of Taker's WrestleMania victories through the years. Two caskets for Shawn Michaels, two caskets for Triple H, and a final casket for Brock Lesnar. Lesnar was unimpressed waiting in the ring.

Suddenly, the bell tolled and the arena went dark. Taker emerged on-stage dressed in an old-school Taker hat, long trench coat, and black pants & singlet. Taker stopped on the stage and looked toward the Lesnar casket, which popped open. Taker then called for fire, which set the casket on-fire, causing Lesnar to breathe a little faster as he waited in the ring.

Once Taker hit the ring steps and raised the lights, his look was revealed: fancy Taker hat, super-tanned body bordering on deep-fried, heavy eyeliner, and slick mohawk. Taker revealed his look and WWE cut to Lesnar turning his head as if to say, "That's interesting."

5 -- THE UNDERTAKER vs. BROCK LESNAR (w/Paul Heyman) -- Undertaker's Undefeated Streak at WrestleMania on the line

Taker and Lesnar felt each other out early on. A big early spot was Lesnar clotheslining Taker over the top rope and Taker landing on his feet, stunning Lesnar. Taker and Lesnar went to early chokeslam and F5 teases, but easily avoided the finishers. Meanwhile, the crowd was a bit subdued, a combination of patiently watching the match play out and worn out from a roller-coaster WrestleMania thus far.

Lesnar built sustained offense targeting the knee, then they moved to the floor, where Lesnar sent Taker into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Lesnar put the knees to Taker, putting him on the mat. Heyman cackled to himself as Cole dejectedly said Taker looks almost mortal here. He said it's almost a mis-match thus far. Lesnar lit up Taker with rights and lefts to the mid-section, then to the face. Suddenly, Taker responded with a DDT off the ropes to buy some time.

Reset at 12:00. Taker with Snake Eyes into a big boot, then he dropped a leg for a two count. Taker followed with a big chokeslam, then he covered Lesnar for another nearfall. Taker tried to follow with a Tombstone, but Lesnar countered into an F5. Taker kicked out and the crowd didn't buy the nearfall this early in the sequence. The crowd then came to life with an "Undertaker" chant as Heyman told Lesnar to finish Taker.

At 15:00, Taker suddenly reached up and put Lesnar in the Hell's Gate submission. Lesnar fought, then offered a feat of strength suddenly lifting Taker into the air for a powerbomb to break free. Lesnar was again slow to follow up, allowing Taker to apply his submission again. Lesnar teased tapping, but again powered to his feet for a powerbomb to break the hold.

At 18:00, the two men were slow to reach other, then Lesnar sprung on Taker with the kimura lock. Lesnar held onto the hold, but didn't wrench it like he did to Triple H to "break his arm." Taker then reversed into a kimura lock of his own. Lesnar cried out in pain, then reached the ropes for a break. Lesnar was the aggressor coming out of the ropes, delivering punishment to Taker's mid-section.

Taker came back with an Old-School walk-the-ropes teaser, but Lesnar pulled Taker off the rope into an F5. Lesnar covered Taker, but Taker kicked out again. Heyman freaked out ringside, then told Lesnar that this is his legacy. "He's taking this away from you!" he shouted to Lesnar. Lesnar followed up on Taker with right hands, but suddenly found himself in Last Ride position. Taker couldn't get Lesnar all the way up in the air, so he simply dropped him to the mat to complete the powerbomb.

Taker followed up with the Tombstone Piledriver. Taker folded Lesnar's arms, but Lesnar kicked out at two. Taker sat up, stared down at Heyman, and pulled himself to his feet for a throat-slash. Taker wanted a second Tombstone, but Lesnar reversed into a Tombstone of his own. Lesnar then transitioned into a third F5. Lesnar covered and, yes, a three count was rendered as Taker kicked out.

The crowd sat stunned and shocked as the unthinkable 21-1 record flashed on the screen. Lesnar sat stunned, too, and Heyman freaked out as it sunk in, too. WWE showed people with their mouths wide open in disbelief since no one thought Taker's Streak would ever end, especially not after the weak build-up of Lesnar for this match. No music played as WWE let the sound of a stunned crowd be the soundtrack.

Lesnar gathered himself in the corner, smiled, then left the ring to his music playing. Lesnar and Heyman hit the stage to heel boos, then left to the back. Back in the ring, Taker gathered himself and sold gathering his thoughts. "21-1" remained on the videoboard over Taker's shoulder as JBL said he thought he would never see this happen. Taker tried to collect himself one more time as the announcers were shown standing up and applauding from ringside. Lawler said it's like the wind has been taken out of his sails. Taker seemed to tear up as he finally reached his feet. Taker stood in the ring and looked down at the ground, then looked around the Superdome. Taker then left the ring to the ring steps as Lawler said he's about to take a walk that he never thought he would have to talk.

WWE cut to a wide shot of Taker walking up the entrance ramp. Cole said it's a sad day in WWE, but they will celebrate what Taker has done at WrestleMania. Taker's music played and Cole gave a big speech about Taker's contributions to WWE and going down swinging at WrestleMania. "Congratulations to Brock Lesnar, but ultimate respect to The Undertaker," Cole said. Lawler said he thinks it was the end of an era. Taker stopped on the entrance stage, kept walking, and disappeared into the fog.

WINNER: Lesnar at 25:12 to end The Streak. The story of this match was Taker looked old and worn down, which seemed to set up for Taker to make the annual comeback to prove he's still immortal, but Lesnar suddenly won. Not what I expected to analyze tonight. I suppose it sets up Lesnar back on-track to get in the WWE Title picture (sticking around with a feud vs. Daniel Bryan after this?), but how does it affect a possible Taker vs. Cena WM match? Or, was this it for Taker? Lots to process here. Concerning match quality, the problem with the match was The Streak has (now had) become such a monster that the audience didn't buy into the nearfalls and didn't buy into the story of Taker looking weak because they were waiting for the comeback. (**1/2)

WM31 video: Silicon Valley, Calif. next March.

Ringside: Cole, Lawler, and JBL were shown on-camera hyping The Streak. Cole thanked Undertaker.

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