Why John Cena vs. Undertaker Was Such A Short Match

[@jameseaton2393]

I do wish that match was longer. Taker looked like he was in really good shape that night. Even with as short as it was, you could how much better he was moving compared to the year before.

[@pjleon8391]

Hey was definitely in shape & it's freakin' WrestleMania AND most importantly he was wrestling Infront of his wife & daughter. Their daughter attended the Royal Rumble aswell & seen her momma Michelle wrestle. It wouldn't surprise me if she grows up to become the greatest women's champion of all time! 💯👍

[@windmaster9]

I saw it too that should have been one last world title run but alas didn't pan out that way still I respect the Deadman ministry taker will always be my favorite heel turn miss the theme hhhs old theme too my time

[@cbacigaluppi]

That could a been a good long match, but it was so cool seeing Cena get squashed. Loved it.

[@goldenwolf8081]

I just watched that match again taker was moving so quick and agile he also looked a lot healthier especially in his face he didn’t at one point in those 3 minutes look slow or out of breath he was moving like he was wrestling shawn Michaels again at wm 26!

[@lane5686]

As a kid, we wanted to see Undertaker vs John Cena main event wrestlemania. As an adult, we understand that they had to work around Undertaker’s injuries. Thank you to them both.

[@cs77smith67]

But they should had done it around 2010 especially since both John Cena and undertaker were undefeated

[@windmaster9]

​@@cs77smith67 that would have been great build up

[@adityabute2107]

That match should have happened in 2011 or 2013

[@mayiborrowadollar]

But did you hear what he said though? His hip was fixed, he could move again, he trained hard and was ready. They could have done at least 15 minutes. I was so salty at that match.

[@windmaster9]

@@mayiborrowadollar that's what I'm saying taker was ready willing to tear it up

[@HahahahaKez]

I'd have loved a longer match, but Cena was spot on tbh

[@mmmmm-gg8gt]

Was he? I thought it made both look weak

[@HahahahaKez]

@@mmmmm-gg8gt was a classic case of theory over execution. Taker was supposed to blow over Big Match John to show he wasn't washed up. Sadly the match was poor and it didn't have the desired outcome, but from a story point of view, it was the right decision at the time

[@metalhammer5]

What did Cena say? Didn't quite follow what Taker was saying there

[@EliRetroVHS642]

I'm fine with Undertaker winning but Cena should have at least been looking strong

[@MasterX14]

They should have made at least 10 or just over 10 minutes.

[@abe1323]

Can we take a minute to appreciate how much of an awesome interviewer Chris is? Seriously, you are an inspiration, Chris.

[@daninbox]

Sounds like Vince and John were trying to protect him without being insulting.

[@100Stratusfiedx]

“That’s not what we need” I honestly have no idea what Vince’s thought process is sometimes.

[@Fantasyremix]

He didn't have confidence in Taker's ability to go 30+ in a great match at that point.

[@RicDollars]

He needed to solidify takers Mania record with a cap off with a legend like Cena. To bury Cena in 5min at mania is remarkable and a true testament to Cenas character.

[@shahidnyker2900]

He was right tho. Not everything needs to go 20 minutes like on AEW

[@alexknight81]

@@shahidnyker2900 no one is saying that they should have gone 20 mins, the only thing people wanted is that the match lasted more than 2 mins, thats all

[@shahidnyker2900]

@@alexknight81 there is no happy medium. You either do a quick squash match or you go 20minutes. Imagine if they went 9-11minutes? People would have been furious

[@burnthetrolls5971]

Man out of all the people The Undertaker could've wrestled at Mania in a classic match Taker vs Cena would've been great, its ones of those matches we never got at Mania like Sting vs The Undertaker or Randy Savage vs The Undertaker at Mania

[@user-dq6se6er8j]

Randy Savage? Lmao. Nobody’s asked for Savage v Taker

[@coreyh6140]

@@user-dq6se6er8j If Savage could get a classic out of Warrior, a match with Taker in 92 would have been pretty good.

[@davefarlow]

Yeah one thing I never understood about the streak was we never got Taker vs any of the 3 faces in their primes at Mania (Hogan, Austin, Cena). Or just more star power in general. Like the streak could have included names like Mick Foley, Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, The Rock, Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Bret Hart, Vader, rvd, along with the names mentioned and it could have been even better. Instead things that hampered it were matches with guys like Shane McMahon, Big Boss man, Mark Henry, handicap match with big show and a train, sid vicious, giant Gonzalez.

[@bbb_888]

​@@davefarlow I think the logic is to spread out the great matches at each Mania. Austin, Hogan, The Rock, Eddie, etc. had other matches at Mania and Taker had his.

[@davefarlow]

@@bbb_888 True, also I don't think they even considered the streak until he got to 10 at WrestleMania 18. If they had the streak in mind from the start things could have been different. Cena vs Miz instead of Cena vs Taker and Taker vs Angle not happening at WrestleMania 22 is still a head scratcher to me. Then again Eddie's death and rocks return in 2011 definitely had an impact. With that being said WrestleMania 23 to WrestleMania 29 was a perfect score for Taker match wise imo. That's when the streak was the number one thing everyone looked forward to at Mania. What a time!

[@OscarASevilla]

I'll always respect Cena for doing that.

[@simenzelwedlamini]

oh plz like u care of cena

[@Geeil]

i respect your opinion but come on man its wrestlemania and taker was ready to go. dont you think it would of been better to just lem em have a real match? we COULD be talking baout how that match was Shawn Micheals vs The undertaker 2.0 but instead we got elisa getting aa taker doing his signature moves and thats it. idk i think they drop it on this one

[@OscarASevilla]

@@Geeil but Taker was coming off a run of shitty matches, and from being unfit for wrestling for like 3 years. No one knew how much he could go, even though he worked out and got in decent shape for it. He also hadn't had a match in so long, so big time ring rust. Cena's goal was to do him a solid and have Taker squash him, giving ego and confidence boost to Taker. They didn't want to risk showing Taker in a bad light. Wanted to give him a last hoorah. I wouldve loved a longer and actual match, but I don't think Taker was able to deliver at the time. And I think everyone, like Vince and Cena, knew that.

[@Brimst0ne_XB]

Love hearing all Marks war stories now that his wrestling career is over. I wish he would do a series and just tell all the crazy shit he's seen on the road.

[@DynastyIcon]

if only Triple H was running things back then.. he would've given Taker and Cena at least 15 mins, a match between two legends shouldn't be a squash match

[@JosephGuitar_2000]

Exactly!!

[@justsomeoldyoutuber6093]

Triple H is not doing anything better if you are think like this because you solely hate Vince. Stop acting like you are a executive and act like a fan damn man. It’s annoying when smarks nowadays think their views matter when you should be the equivalent of a tv series fan.

[@krks99]

It's kind of sad that Vince basically threw this match under the bus for a laugh. That should have been a 15 minute match, even with the one-sided build. If Taker says he can really go then i trust him. Should have never been a squash!

[@Lateralus665]

Vince really was an asshole for this. A waste of a possible real twilight for Undertaker.

[@FrozenAngel4173]

Jesus Christ man. I wanted a longer match too but this is dumb AF. Cena wanted to give back to the undertaker's reputation by getting squashed as one of the biggest stars in the business. He did that out of respect for taker. Vince was on the same page too. Plus they need to build on young stars. They've ignored that long enough. Just appreciate the match for what it was.

[@Rengokuo4o6]

​@@FrozenAngel4173 here the thing though, it didn't give the undertaker any credibility at least in my eyes, it was just a disappointing match period.

[@FrozenAngel4173]

@@Rengokuo4o6 they're not catering to you. To the casual fan and kids that's a big win.

[@cngotham4111]

Yea people payed to watch that match to be 5 fucking mins.

[@JohnSmith-wh2ob]

Undertaker looked ready to go you can tell how he moved in comparison to the previous year it was night and day. I can’t believe Cena didn’t push for more time.

[@windmaster9]

Imagine the back and forth the counters damn he should have

[@adityabute2107]

The match would have been a classic if they did that from 2010-14 both are tremendous in ring performers.

[@windmaster9]

@@adityabute2107 I agree so many missed chances

[@adityabute2107]

@@windmaster9 right

[@yamomma5053]

@@adityabute2107tremendous for John cena ? U must be blind. He has 5 moves if that

[@doubles7533]

Another legendary interview

[@flexingtonsteele82]

Great interview thanks Chris

[@michaeluphoff4749]

It makes me sad that Taker and Cena never got the WM match they really deserved to have.

[@crashpal]

Vengeance 2003 was awesome. Perhaps i dare say the Undertaker vs cena match followed by the match they had on Smackdown in 2004👌

[@Strangepete]

and raw october 2006 was short but fun too

[@mann1efresh93]

The match they had together on Smackdown in 2004 was the first time Taker fought John Cena as the Dark Version. That match was really good and pretty long.

[@the_uncannyzebra5143]

To be fair John and Vince probably had no idea if Taker would be able to go that long based on the Roman match, I do wish they called an audible and went a bit longer just to give us what we wanted

[@henrygucci360]

We were robbed of a 30 minute classic by Vince McMahon and John Cena

[@anupambaglari]

If it makes you fell any better Cena allowing himself to be jobbed by the Undertaker at WrestleMania of all shows is a bigger moment than a 30 min classic.

[@PBandShayne]

@@anupambaglari lol John Cena allowing himself to be jobbed by the undertaker.

[@anupambaglari]

@@PBandShayne I didn't know of a better way to phrase that 😂

[@leonturner2598]

How did John Cena rob you of a thirty minute classic?

[@joemckim1183]

I don't think it had to be 30 minutes long but it should've at least been about 12-15 at minimum.

[@LuigiTheItalian]

Undertaker is Vince's favourite superstar of all time. He worked that poor man to the end. He wrestled one too many matches.

[@Fierce77551]

Tears of gratitude for this wrestlers who put their life on the line to entertain us..

[@HulkVahkiin]

I actually feel more upset now for Undertaker training for nothing, rather than the disappointing match now. Any athlete who trained hard just not to compete at the end of the day knows how he feels.

[@johnrigs6540]

Yea I had always heard it was a squash because of his injuries!

[@jamesstewart8377]

Fuck I can’t believe he is retired. He was always the one thing you could count on.

[@risboturbide9396]

Wow, great chat! You're so lucky, being able to talk with the Phenom.

[@CVVCLIPS]

What a great guy!

[@risboturbide9396]

@@CVVCLIPS glad for ya!

[@JayBurris100]

Cena, Taker , & Vince my childhood I love this story 😂❤️‍🔥

[@rokaanalzeer7148]

A legend in the making talking with a legend

[@jayrob121]

I used to live in Kentucky and this reminds me a little of Derby week. Lots of fanfare. Lots of height and build up. Lots of preparation. Actual event.... 2 minutes.

[@davidfreeman8902]

I can't believe that John Cena was on board with having to lose in 5 minutes on the biggest PPV

[@maplelino8619]

He's an actor now ofc, he can't make risk like before

[@ucantcme1851]

He was enough humble for that that's it

[@robertpalatsky5017]

I remember thinking that match would be a classic, atleast 15-20 minutes abd being like “what was that?”

[@George_Francis]

HHH Wouldn't have let that happen.

[@Justin-zs9zc]

The more broken down guy was the one that wanted the longer match. Respect.

[@dustinrhodes4793]

Vince only wanted that match to make Roman's win look more impressive.

[@EliRetroVHS642]

I know and Cena was suppose to find Undertaker at THAT wrestlemania but they were just so desperate for Roman to be the top guy And trust me the match would have been better

[@KingsNerdCave]

People talk about how Cena was the face of the company for 20 years, and yeah he was the guy but in the shadows behind him was Taker putting on amazing matches and being just as big of a draw. They worked in tandem while never coming to blows. It's a real shame we never got a full blown war, especially since Taker felt so good at Mania 34, even just 10 minutes would have been great.

[@florianklink2961]

Taker was wrong by saying, he and John never wrestled on a ppv before WM 2018. They had a match at Vengeance 2003 and it was really good too. Was comparable with Lesnar vs Daniel Bryan at Survivor Series 2018, where the underdog (Cena in this case) got beat up badly, where Taker could've ended the match early, but hesitated and then got almost beat by his opponent for underastimating him.

[@NoNonsense77]

Yeah, this is where I really liked Cena too before he became the new Hulk Hogan with predictable matches most the time.

[@HistoryMakerDJS]

The Undertaker was in the right here. Vince McMahon should have understood with the build that Cena gave to the match, to have it end short is a spit in the face to Mark’s training. At least give them 15 minutes.

[@ElMundoDeHadesOK]

its a shame it was such a short match... Taker vs Cena.. the two biggest icons from the 90s to this era.... such a shame

[@yogeshrane3609]

Off the ring..he seems like gentle soul ❤

[@Mr.DontOverThinkIt]

"Never worked on PPV." Guess Vengeance 03 never happened to him lol

[@Evs78101]

Must have slipped his mind. Matches were 15 years apart, that first match was awesome though :) I remember being 9 when it happened…and I was a Cena fan at the time…word life lmao..don’t hate me I was his demographic 😂

[@Mr.DontOverThinkIt]

@@Evs78101 Oh yeah definitely. I just find it funny that both matches are in John's showcase this year for 2k, but Taker himself only remembers one. And he's like "this is the first time we're working together and it's a squash? No no no no no"

[@Olipop2]

Well he's never faced the Cenation leader in a PPV before

[@Evs78101]

@@Mr.DontOverThinkIt I just finished that showcase last night. Such a good game. Crazy how they showed all the people that beat ‘em. Kinda played off the whole Cena wins lolz thing

[@Mr.DontOverThinkIt]

@@Evs78101 Also shows how much of a good person he truly is. Like he doesn't need to give credit to people like Brock, Hunter, etc... But he does anyway

[@Chloe1OxHP]

This was a great interview/video, CVV! When I think back to WrestleMania 34, I think both Cena and Taker could have gone 15-20 and relied on spots and false finishes instead of a squash. But much like we never saw The Rock and Shawn Michaels go 1-on-1 in their primes, we can only imagine what could have been. After all, they only ever had 3 1-on-1 encounters. Vengeance 2003 RAW 2007 WrestleMania 34

[@Chloe1OxHP]

also, I'm the 1000th like!

[@GeWi97]

They had a match on Smackdown during the build-up to backlash 2003

[@renegadecomic7577]

I believe they also had a one one on smackdown June 2004 where baby face taker uses cenas chain to win.

[@LordRaptor]

I was so disappointed by this match, I wanted a longer match, as these two were my favorites growing up and their Vengeance match is one of my favorite matches of all time, it was just too little too late I guess...

[@QuynhNguyen-zw8uv]

The best part was Taker calling in Cena thinking he'd be on his said.. but swerves him by saying.. 'oh yeah.. i been talking smack on you hard. you need to squash me'.. 😅

[@elioridacow]

Undertaker: NO! 30 minutes or we aren't doing this

[@VegetaAlex]

The way takers eyes glossed over talking about his redemption... 😢

[@superbaggio87]

Too bad I haven't got NY Chance to see my WWE idol performing live. MR Calloway thank you for entertaining us for all this year and sacrifice so much. God bless you and your family 🙏🏾🍀

[@TheOnlyMJS]

13-15 minutes at least would’ve been awesome. If ‘Taker was in the shape he was in as he claimed, it probably would’ve been his retirement match altogether and he didn’t have to retire in the Thunderdome. What a shame.

[@joeyeldrecht27]

Was glade we got the match both truly legends

[@BeastNationXIV]

Vince turned Taker into Austin. "What?...What?" 😂

[@rjmq433]

At least taker got himself in great shape. Even if he couldnt have a long match he still benefited from it

[@Otterbruce]

A friend of mine delivered all of his gym equipment here in Texas and got to meet him. Said he was a super nice guy.

[@MrAnythingForSelenas]

After the scare from WrestleMania 30 this was probably the best for Undertaker. He's proved everything for over three decades he doesn't need to prove anything anymore.

[@connorredshaw7994]

No matter either it was going to be a short or long match we can all agree that he looked and performed a hell of a lot better than he did against Roman reigns.

[@synthsolutionmusic]

"We never worked on PPV" Apparently he forgot Vengeance 2003

[@mohammedashian8094]

Hey 15 years (from that to WM34) is a long time it probably slipped his mind

[@Geojr815]

It always surprises me to hear about how unprepared wrestlers are and how they make it all work last minute

[@bbb_888]

Taker was prepared tho, he trained a lot for this match.

[@slothymotivation]

Love that story….that is hilarious. Thanks Chris.

[@arnauld188]

I love cena and taker

[@emperortrevornorton3119]

I feel like my father is like The Undertaker on work ethic dude nearly never took a sick or injury day

[@catdog12204]

I loved that the undertaker squash cena ! That literally made me so happy lol

[@brianrichter409]

I was there live and imo the shock value of him squashing Cena made his return feel even more special. I loved it.

[@tommydileo6900]

Take, you and Cena did go one ppv. Was vengeance back in 2004

[@SaVeUsJ]

The more i wanted that match to go on longer, the more i realized that it was definitely necessary. John had been talking a lot about him for weeks leading to WM. The only way IMO that i could see the outcome of this was for The Undertaker to come out and completely squash Cena. Not only would this remind Cena but the entire world to know not to mess with him & that he still got it!

[@bradcarver8127]

A 30 minute back and forth would’ve been great a few years earlier. Maybe WrestleMania 29. Cena does the job to Taker. Then Punk regains the title from Rock and you can blow off the Punk/Cena feud at Summerslam or even before at MITB.

[@sithersproductions]

They did work in a ppv though. Vengeance 2003

[@obsessivefanboy7]

Must have slipped Taker's mind, match was 15 years apart.

[@GABRIELA-ACEVEDO.]

And No way out 2007, even though it wasn't a one on one match.

[@richdude8150]

Here I am as a 36 year old bodybuilder with an injured foot and the flu feeling like my days are over. Gosh I'm a lazy fuck. Thank you Taker. I am Gettysburg my back the work

[@Lopez03Eduardo.]

Correction Taker and Cena did work ppv before vengeance 2003

[@bayleyaustin2202]

A longer match could’ve been awesome! But I also liked the way they did it too! Cena was right. He talked all this trash thinking he could goad the Undertaker and it made sense after all that big talk he’d get his ass beat! 🤷‍♂️ Plus Cena being willing to job to Taker like that says A LOT!!

[@SuperEcwchampion]

I watched that WrestleMania, and remember being pissed that it was a squash match. I wanted to see a longer match.

[@darrensmith1152]

Taker vs Cena deserves redemption!

[@ryodavinci4894]

“i know i’m giving you more than you asked for” um wtf can somebody let the undertaker know we could hear him tell stories all day 😭😂

[@ConorKhabibBrunson]

Taker looks like a sober Stone Cold in this with the hat on

[@Squeakypickles619]

And that was the same mania brock threw the title at vince The old man's a fool at times.

[@durrclips746]

Why is Vince like this

[@yousef97dx40]

he is old

[@ThunderForce2000]

I’ve always thought that the match with Undertaker vs. John Cena wasn’t the original plan for Cena at WrestleMania 34 because WWE was clearly teasing a match with John Cena vs. Samoa Joe but then Joe got hurt prior to the Royal Rumble.

[@jordanellis3615]

I was one of those taker fans who always believed cena would be the top guy to give undertaker his last match and with condition that taker was in that year. It could’ve been a 30 minute slugfest and more than likely takers last match. It feels so, disappointing even today that my dream match happened but was extremely short.

[@ashconbeats8414]

Cena and undertaker didn’t have enough matches together. I think they had 3 against each other in 15 years.

[@mikeb105]

Match should’ve happened at WM 27, title vs the streak. Nobody wanted Miz and Cena

[@jmreeves89]

They worked on PPV at Vengeance 2003.

[@nickgwyn1225]

Being in attendance, his entrance was longer then the actual match..

[@IterImpiusnp]

Ever since that match happened I was saying this had to be Cenas idea for the match to be that quick. Wouldn’t surprise me one but if Cena pitched the squash match to Vince. Props to Cena there and I’m not a Cena fan

[@ryaj2356]

Taker vs cena shoulda happened much sooner. When taker was younger to really blow the roof off the place

[@ChungLiHungMe]

Vince will have known Taker was in his best shape for years and would have wanted him to leave the match the same way

[@Njbear7453]

Should’ve been a solid 10-12 minute match.

[@thekrazyhatter5063]

Bro Undertaker went with the mentality of surpassing his WM25 match If i was vince i would of told cena Gimme Super Cena Circa 07 and let lose for 25 minutes

[@RetroGamerBB]

Wanted to see Taker vs Stinger. 😭

[@grid462]

Nobody: Vince: yeah it's just so funny to treat ultra loyal legends like they're a pos.

[@raygowan1968]

I thought the squash was the perfect match. For the reason Cena gave. After all the smack talk having Taker just walk straight through him was great. I know I am in the minority, but I loved it.

[@kelseykjarsgaard5774]

Damn would been good match

[@EliRetroVHS642]

Undertaker wanted a 30 minute match with you John

[@KasirRham]

A long 30 minute classic would've been amazing... but Cena was probably right, Undertaker has had some rough injuries over the years.

[@puertoriconnect4611]

Still ridiculous. Should’ve given them at least 15.

[@johnrigs6540]

So funny. He is right - Two of the biggest names in WWE HISTORY. Undertaker /Cena should have been a classic legendary match that we were all waiting for that we would still talking about today. But I think, because of the nature of Takers injuries they set up a story where Cena was so awful and talked such smack that in order for the story to make sense - they HAD to do the match this way. I think Mark surprised them by being in as good a shape as he was. But by then it really was too late. If they had had a classic 20-30 minute battle it just would not have fit in for the story they were telling - which was Cena being as close to being a pure super heel as he ever has. So as unsatisfying and as bad as the match was - it did feel like it was the right way to go under those circumstances. But boy - It definitely would have been great if they did it with a different story with both legends going at it doing their best instead of a squash!

[@noahpyke6091]

Honestly I saw it disrespectful to John. A squash match to one of the greatest of all time?

[@MrJjburgess11]

Yeah I thought it didn't make sense. John was still in his prime. Taker was in the twilight of his career. And he destroyed Cena?

[@ucantcme1851]

Exactly Cena should not be that humble 😑

[@elioridacow]

Undertaker wanted a 45 minute match with Cena, Just imagine

[@slumpdawg4156]

I was there at mania, that match was so weird 😅

[@ItsFalloutz]

I’ll never understand why they didn’t do this match before like 2015

[@shardagaikwad6394]

John Cena only wanted The Deadman Undertaker to be back in the ring.Therefore he did his job ...Whereas talking about the match..That match was totally scripted...WWE also wanted Undertaker to be in the ring...Therefore they planned and made John Cena as a source of medium to recall Undertaker.

[@angelrosas408]

The cool thing is Undertaker vs John Cena Wrestlemania exist

[@elioridacow]

Yeah but it sucks

[@joshuaglover3785]

The match between John Cena and the Undertaker was supposed to happen at Wrestlemania 33, but Vince mcmahon decided to cancel the biggest dream match we all wanted to see.

[@ThunderForce2000]

Ironically what The Undertaker and John Cena ended up doing at WrestleMania 33 was all for nothing. Cena and Nikki Bella beat The Miz and Maryse with Cena then proposing to Nikki only for them to split up a year later while Undertaker lost to Roman only for Roman to lose to Brock the following year while Taker came back like the ending to WM 33 never happened.

[@elioridacow]

The only canceled it because they wanted Roman to get over so bad

[@anthonybell5666]

That match did not need to go past 5 minutes. Vince and cena were absolutely correct

[@understandthat9817]

Miz should have Lost the Belt at Elimination Chamber before WrestleMania 27 to Cena and we could have had Cena lose to Undertaker at WrestleMania back then if Cena was gonna take a Loss for the Championship,That was the Right time to do it. Then they could have did the whole Taker/Triple H feud at 28/29 instead of 27/28.

[@DaSkarekrow]

After it ended, I was like, that is it?????? for weeks of Cena calling Taker out and the hype of the match to end so quick sucked....didnt have to be 30 minutes, but 20 would of been awesome

[@shamarheadley6935]

Come to think about it he's right they never work on a ppv together

[@unfixingbowl5454]

A classic Cena/Taker match would’ve definitely helped that mania. The 2nd half of that mania was awful

[@darrensmith1152]

Undertaker vs John Cena at Wrestlemania 34 should’ve been longer. I’m not saying it should have been 30 minutes because Undertaker was getting older. It shouldn’t have been 3 minutes long either, it should have been at least 10 minutes long. Taker vs Cena deserved another match.