WWE: Ranking The Undertaker's Various Returns to the Ring

Last week on Monday Night Raw, The Undertaker made an unexpected return to the ring, seemingly challenging Triple H to another match at WrestleMania.

People were very happy with the way the Deadman returned, but how does it compare to all the others?

The Undertaker must have had the most returns in WWE history, but people still lap them up like he’s been gone for years.

The pop The Undertaker gets when his gong echoes around the arena is close to what Austin would get when the glass shattered.

Needless to say, The Undertaker can make hairs stand on end and send chills down spines.

I have ranked The Undertaker’s various returns to the ring from worst to best.

I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane!

The Debut of the Deadman

This is just an introductory slide to remind you of how The Undertaker debuted in the WWF.

He was a mystery partner of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar team and put on a display that helped to earn him the reputation he holds today.

Running with the Deadman gimmick he was given, The Undertaker managed to suspend the audience’s disbelief in the supernatural and make it seem like he actually wasn’t human.

By non-selling moves and showing great agility, he showed he was a one-of-a-kind performer and is the longest running employee of the WWE today.

16. SmackDown 2010 (May 28)

Well one had to come at the bottom of the list!

Having not been seen since his WrestleMania match against Shawn Michaels, in which he ended his career, The Undertaker returned to SmackDown for a match against Rey Mysterio.

Despite coming back in an awesome hooded attire, this mini-return wasn't very impressive as it wasn't built up very well.

It wasn't a surprise and it wasn't a special return in general.

He broke his nose in this match, setting him up for yet another return in the later months of 2010.

15. Royal Rumble 2003

The Undertaker had been out of action since The Big Show had thrown him off the stage, allowing him to heal a broken hand he had picked up.

His return at The Royal Rumble was met with a huge pop as he entered at number 30.

Sticking with his biker gimmick, The Undertaker rode to the ring on his Harley and made an impression on the Rumble match, even eliminating Cena.

Maven tried to eliminate him in a similar fashion to the 2002 Royal Rumble, but the Undertaker was ready this time and eliminated the Tough Enough winner.

14. Unforgiven 2007

The Undertaker returned at Unforgiven 2007 to settle a score with Mark Henry, who had previously assaulted him a few months previous and cost him the World Heavyweight Championship.

However, this return was not really ominous or unexpected and The Undertaker beat Mark Henry, as everyone expected.

Although, I would like to think this return would have been made a whole lot better had he been facing the Mark Henry we know now.

13. SummerSlam 2008

The Undertaker had lost a match to Edge at One Night Stand 2008, banishing him from the WWE.

However, when Vickie Guerrero found out that Edge had been cheating on her, she re-instated the Deadman so she could exact her revenge on the Rated-R Superstar.

This led to The Undertaker returning to action at SummerSlam 2008 and competing in what many have labelled the last great Hell in a Cell match.

12. SummerSlam 2010

The Undertaker likes returning at SummerSlam.

This time, it was his brother Kane he came back to torment, as it was revealed that Kane had been the one to place The Undertaker in a "vegetative state."

Although it looked like The Undertaker was about to attack Rey Mysterio (whom Kane had tried to frame for the attack) he soon turned his attention onto his brother, attempting to chokeslam him.

Despite this great return, The Undertaker had no power and Kane easily overpowered him.

This feud led to the return of Paul Bearer and the infamous urn, which eventually restored The Undertaker's powers.

11. SummerSlam 1994

Yes. another SummerSlam return.

This is the event where the infamous Undertaker vs. Undertaker match took place.

Highly regarded as a huge failure, it should have been an epic encounter as it looks awesome on paper.

But as all us wrestling geeks know, superstars fighting themselves never works out.

Nevertheless, The Undertaker's return here was brilliant.

Wearing slightly new attire, he came out and created the buzz and chills that the impostor couldn't dream of causing.

It's a shame this feud was not very well received.

10. SummerSlam 2009

Don't worry, this is the final SummerSlam return.

CM Punk and Jeff Hardy fought a hard match at this event, which ended with Punk standing proudly over Hardy with the World Heavyweight Championship lifted above his head.

He probably should have been watching what was going on below him as Jeff was swiftly switched with The Undertaker and it was really well done.

I remember watching this PPV and I didn't notice the switch at first, but as soon as The Undertaker reached for the throat, it was pretty darn obvious.

9. Survivor Series 1996

In a match where Paul Bearer had to be suspended above the ring.

If The Undertaker won, he would earn the right to get his hands on Paul Bearer.

Mankind cuts an incredible promo that precedes The Undertaker's return, highlighting the fact that he buried him alive at the aptly named Buried Alive PPV.

Madison Square Garden erupted when The Undertaker made his return, and it is easy to get goosebumps watching this video.

His ring attire changed to what he wore throughout the Attitude era, changing from the trenchcoat and hat he had become famous for, opting for a leather costume.

Not only was the return great, but the match was brilliant as well.

8. Survivor Series 2005

This was a brilliant return for many reasons.

First of all, the lightning bolt that hit the casket (reminiscent of a return yet to be listed) was extremely effective.

It set the stage and the casket on fire, and a bearded Undertaker emerged from the flames, representing hell.

This new look made The Undertaker appear more rugged and vicious and why he didn't keep it I'll never know, I think I actually prefer it to his famous goatee.

Randy Orton did a good job of looking scared to death, screaming to his buddies to put him down before The Undertaker could get to the ring.

When he did arrive at the ring, all hell broke loose and The Undertaker dished out some almighty chokeslams.

As returns go, this was one of the better ones.

7. Raw 2012

The most recent return comes in at No. 7.

Though some thought he would make his long awaited return at the Royal Rumble, The Undertaker waited until the next night to make his presence know, challenging Triple H to another match at WrestleMania.

It was a good return as it was reminiscent of the famous 2011 silent promo, but it just didn't have that certain something for me that could have placed it a bit higher.

Plus, the fact that he was clearly wearing a wig spoilt it for a large number of the people who spotted it.

6. Survivor Series 1995

This return ranks high because of the ominous presence The Undertaker had when he returned at the 1995 Survivor Series.

Wearing a protective white mask, he had an eerie look to him that had not been present before.

Foreshadowing the frightening mask that Kane would wear on his debut, The Undertaker with his face covered is even scarier than when he is bare-faced.

I'd love to see him wear a mask like that at WrestleMania XXVIII, regardless of the lack of sense it would make.

It makes him look even more inhuman, which is brilliant for his character.

The mask is what gets this return a high place on this list.

5. Raw 1999

WWF RAW 11th January, 1999 Part 4 by MyWrestlingForum

Please click the link above to see the clip I am discussing.

When The Undertaker returned after only a month away from the WWF, his intentions were more than clear, he wanted to rule the WWF with a huge, dominant stable.

This stable was known as the Ministry of Darkness.

Sitting in a huge throne, he spoke in what seemed like an aged language.

Prophesying and making himself seem like a higher power, this was yet another successful gimmick alteration for the Deadman. Speaking in tongues, he carried out sacrifices on certain members of the WWF.

By recruiting Farooq and Bradshaw and renaming them The Acolytes, The Undertaker already had some big, powerful men on his side.

He then recruited Dennis Knight, renaming him as Mideon.

This is possibly the creepiest return The Undertaker has done.

4. Judgment Day 2000

"

"Are you scared?"

"We're scared..."

"

How predictable this return was, I don't know, but I bet no-one guessed The Undertaker would return under the gimmick of a biker!

As much as I hate this return, I recognise it had to be high on this list as it was the birth of the American Badass, and the first glimpse people got of the new Undertaker.

Interfering in an Iron match between The Rock and Triple H, The Undertaker made his intentions clear, when he took out the entire McMahon-Helmsley faction on Raw the next night.

Returning as a face after being a heel throughout 1999, was as refreshing as his new gimmick and though I don't personally like it, it is definitely one of the best of The Undertaker's returns.

It also had a brilliant build-up, with vignettes airing for weeks before his return at Judgment Day.

3. Raw 2011

Last year's return was immense because of the implications.

Not only would we see Triple H face The Undertaker, but we all knew it would be much closer than his previous two matches with Shawn Michaels.

The fact that Triple H had the audacity to interrupt the umpteenth return of the Deadman just added to the tension and excitement.

All they had to do was look at the WrestleMania XXVII sign.

This is how to do a wrestling promo.

Perfect.

2. WrestleMania XX

WrestleMania XX marked the second WrestleMania match between The Undertaker and his brother Kane.

It also marked the return to the Deadman gimmick for The Undertaker.

The Undertaker had been taunting his brother for months, even causing him to be eliminated from the Royal Rumble.

Paul Bearer also made a return for this epic occasion.

The entrance was magnificent, complete with druids, torches and the eerie singing.

Let us not forget the urn.

The crowd erupted when the heard The Undertaker's old-fashioned music and even more so when they laid eyes on the Deadman.

If we were being picky, I'd say his hair looked a bit short for the Lord of Darkness gimmick, but I was just thankful he wasn't Big Evil anymore!

"

OHHHH YEEEESSS!

"

1. Raw 1998

This is, without a doubt, the best return The Undertaker has ever made.

A lightning bolt hits the coffin like the one Kane set on fire at the 1998 Royal Rumble and The Undertaker appears out of nowhere.

This marked a change in attitude for the Undertaker, as he had previously declined any physical altercation with his younger brother.

This return was preceded by a long promo by Paul Bearer, when he was at his best.

Kane stood tall and silent, looking unafraid as The Undertaker said he would walk through the fires of hell to face him.

The pop is unrivalled for any other Undertaker return as the crowd go absolutely mental.

This was when supernatural reigned supreme in the WWF and the people were so invested in the characters, everything seemed out of this world, yet ordinary at the same time.

How anyone can say any other Undertaker return is better than this is beyond me.

I get goosebumps every time I watch this, and just as you think the crowd can't get any louder, The Undertaker sits up!