When The Undertaker lost to Roman Reigns at last year’s Wrestlemania, most people presumed he had retired.
In an eerie and moving moment, he left his iconic hat and jacket in the ring.
However, over the last few weeks, John Cena began calling out Taker on TV. For many years, Cena vs Taker was considered a dream match, but many fans thought the moment for it actually happening had past. The WWE took the unusual approach of not actually announcing the match beforehand.
John Cena arrived during the pre-show, taking a seat in the crowd.
John Cena is LITERALLY in the crowd as a fan! pic.twitter.com/QXERb3wi0d
— Big B (@BTuckerTorch) April 8, 2018
For the first few matches, the camera kept cutting to him – until a referee came and called him to the back.
Uh-oh.#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/5LCfNMCuvG
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2018
Later in the show, he came back out, and the light went dark – but instead of The Undertaker, the guitar-playing Elias arrived.
The lights go out, which can only mean one thing…
WHO WANTS TO WALK WITH @IAmEliasWWE?! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/MNyxucEMtt
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
But then the lights went out again, and The Undertaker’s previously discarded garments appeared.
What a brilliant shot. WWE production team on 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vuq7Fmjy6e
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) April 9, 2018
Then finally he arrived.
HE'S BACK pic.twitter.com/osuXTbktXa
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) April 9, 2018
HE'S HERE.#WrestleMania #Undertaker pic.twitter.com/Ry29DBr4Pa
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
Then in a match that lasted lest than three minutes, Taker finally defeated Cena.
REDEMPTION at the @MBSuperdome for The #Undertaker! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/NuuDNTukMG
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
Fans probably wanted a longer match, but it was certainly a memorable Wrestlemania moment.