It’s easy to forget what an impression the Undertaker made when he debuted in 1990. Even when WWE was filled with goofy characters, something about this undead zombie in funeral clothes impressed fans. WWE was brilliant selling Taker as a man who felt no pain and perhaps not even human. What worked was that for the first few years, Undertaker boasted one of the best win-loss records in WWE. Indeed, they would claim he went a full year before his first-ever loss...even though that’s not entirely accurate.
Related: 10 Times The Undertaker Lost Clean
Even WWE had to let Taker lose a few times before his bigger defeats in the company. Many were not one-on-one encounters but rather tag bouts or a battle royal. Yet who actually got Taker’s first-ever defeat might be a significant surprise as are some other losses. Here are the first ten times in WWE that Undertaker lost a fight to show even the Deadman wasn’t unbeatable in the early going.
10 1991 Royal Rumble
It had been several months since the Undertaker made his stunning debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. The Royal Rumblewas his next big showing with Taker (still managed by Brother Love) coming out at #12 and lasting just over fourteen minutes. He made an impact, eliminating Kerry Von Erich, Bushwhacker Luke, and Bret Hart.
It helped sell Taker as a nearly unstoppable force as it took both Hawk and Animal to clothesline him over the top rope where he landed on his feet. It was brief, but the start of Taker’s impressive run.
9 Ultimate Warrior (MSG Show July 1st, 1991)
The feud of the Undertaker and the Ultimate Warrior helped make Taker a major star in WWE. That he was coming out the winner made it better. Many matches were “body bag” bouts where Taker shocked the crowd by pinning the Warrior and then stuffing him into a bag.
Related: 5 Wrestlers the Undertaker Loves (& 5 He Hates)
An exception with a July MSG show with Taker and Warrior fighting and Warrior winning by DQ. Taker still attacked him to put Warrior in the bag, and pretty much Warrior’s only win in their feud.
8 El Matador (Telecinco, October 5, 1991)
This may be shocking. In late 1991, Tito Santana was getting a makeover by “rediscovering his Mexican heritage.” This involved him coming in as a stereotypical matador, complete with cape. Somehow, WWE backed him to the point that Santana was able to defeat Taker at a show in Barcelona.
It appeared Santana was about to lose but took advantage of the ref down to hit Taker with the urn for the win. That’s right: Tito Santana has the honor of giving the Undertaker his first-ever pinfall loss.
7 Royal Albert Hall Battle Royal, 1991
It may seem quaint today, but the Battle Royal at the Royal Albert Hall was a huge deal with WWE doing a show at the revered concert hall in London. Seeing a wrestling ring inside the Hall was odd (and note the guys walking over regular stairs to get there), but it was a great collection of stars taking part.
The Undertaker was an imposing presence in the fight, dumping out Road Warrior Animal and brushing off others. Roddy Piper eliminated him withBritish Bulldog claiming the ultimate prize.
6 Hulk Hogan, This Tuesday in Texas
Back in 1991, PPVs only happened every few months. So for WWE to put on a show just days after the Survivor Series was a big deal. Undertaker had won the WWE title off of Hogan thanks to interference from Ric Flair, so this was the rematch.
Related: WWE: 10 Best Matches Of The Undertaker's Career
Flair once more interfered with Hogan taking advantage to throw ashes into Taker’s face and then roll him up to regain the title. The chaotic turn forced the title to be vacated, and Taker’s brief moment on top ended fast.
5 1992 Royal Rumble
A turning point in Rumble history, the ‘92 version had the vacant WWE title up for grabs. The match is famous for Ric Flair turning in a stunning performance, coming in at #3 and lasting the entire match. Taker entered at #20 and lasted fourteen minutes.
He only managed to eliminate Jimmy Snuka before being dumped out by Hogan as payback for the entire early title change mess. Even in defeat, Undertaker was a highlight of one of the best Rumbles ever.
4 Sid Justice WWE Live January 25th, 1992
Amazing as it sounds, Sid got a big win over the Undertaker in April of 1992 in what would be one of Sid's last matches in WWE. Before that, the pair battled in a live show where Sid was the face and Taker still the heel.
Related: 10 Wrestlers Who Beat The Undertaker But Didn't Become Big Stars
It wasn't a long match, just over seven minutes and sloppy as both men were still a bit raw back then. It ended with Sid winning by DQ after interference from Brother Love. Sid would turn heel just days later so one of the last time he got cheers in WWE.
3 Hulk Hogan and Sid Justice, Saturday Night’s Main Event, Jan 27th, 1992
Thie ended up being a key step toward Wrestlemania. The plan appeared to be Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair having their dream Mania main event, but backstage politics stopped that. Instead, this was set up with Sid and Hogan teaming against Flair and Undertaker.
It was all the excuse for Sid turning on Hogan and walking out on him. Somehow, Hogan still pulled off the win thanks to a DQ and set him against Sid for Mania, so Taker was just a storyline tool.
2 Battle Royal, MSG Show February 23rd, 1992
This offbeat MSG show was used as the build to Wrestlemania with the focus being Hogan, Ric Flair, and Sid in a battle royal with Taker among those also fighting. It was a good battle, although surprising Taker only managed to eliminate Bushwhacker Luke.
Related: The Undertaker: 10 Match Types He Never Competed In
In a surprise, it was the Big Bossmanwho sent Taker out of the ring with Sid ultimately winning the battle royale. Taker would turn face not long after, so this was the final notable heel appearance by him.
1 Sid Justice UK Rampage April 19th, 1992
This victory by Sidis rather bizarre. This was fresh off Sid losing against Hogan at Wrestlemania VIII, and Sid himself was on his way out of WWE. Taker was still hot after a big win over Jake Roberts at Mania, so putting Sid away would have made sense.
Instead, Sid got the win during a European tour in just five minutes. Sid would leave WWE immediately after the tour (whether he was fired or quit depends on who you talk to), and this would be the last loss by Taker for the rest of 1992.
Next: The 10 Best Survivor Series WWE Title Matches Ever, Ranked
