The conversation surrounding pivotal WWE matches and their outcomes remains pertinent, with WrestleMania 30’s showdown between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar at the forefront.
Shedding light on this topic, Dutch Mantell shared his astonishment during a recent episode of Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Smack Talk.
The Undertaker’s streak of 21 consecutive victories at WrestleMania had solidified its place as one of the most iconic records in sports entertainment. Thus, when he faced off against Brock Lesnar, anticipation was high, but few foresaw the Deadman’s defeat.
There was a prevailing belief among fans that WWE would preserve The Undertaker’s streak indefinitely or that if it were to end, it would be at the hands of a rising star in need of the monumental push.
However, contrary to expectations, WWE chose to task Brock Lesnar with this historic responsibility, leaving even industry insiders like Dutch Mantell surprised by the outcome.
Reflecting on the event, Mantell expressed his initial disbelief, citing The Undertaker’s status as a creation of Vince McMahon as a reason for his skepticism regarding the streak’s end.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged the legendary reactions from both fans and critics alike following Lesnar’s victory.
In Mantell’s own words,
“Well, even without the newfound information, I still don’t think he should have lost. Because I said, since he was a Vince McMahon invention, I didn’t think it would ever be lost. But what a reaction it got from the fans. Everybody else thought it wouldn’t be broken anyway.” [30:45 onwards]
Interestingly, The Undertaker himself holds reservations about the choice of Brock Lesnar as the streak-breaker.
He believes that another WWE star could have been better suited for the historic moment, potentially resulting in a more memorable clash than his encounter with the Beast Incarnate.
In hindsight, the WrestleMania 30 showdown between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar continues to spark debate and reflection within the wrestling community, showcasing the enduring significance of this monumental event in WWE history.
