While the first ever casket match was between Dusty Rhodes and Ivan Koloff in Houston Wrestling, this gimmick match is a WWE staple through and through. The casket match is seemingly custom-built for The Undertaker, who was a participant in almost all of them.
There are some duds out there when it comes to casket matches, but for the most part, this gimmick always delivers. Providing a good mix of hardcore wrestling, and a fearful reminder of our own mortality, it's a boost to any feud if used correctly. The match is often centered around dark characters, but they become the bright spots of any event it's advertised.
10 The Undertaker Vs Kamala - SummerSlam 1992
If there's one way to intimidate an opponent, build a casket and threaten to put them in it. That's exactly what The Undertaker did as the WWE debuted the gimmick match at 92's SummerSlam. "The Ugandan Giant" Kamla and The Undertaker would slug it out in a short but sweet match, as the stipulation kept fans on the edge of their seats. Armed with the power of the urn, and in the end, the actual urn, the Deadman was able to take out Kamala and put a literal nail in his coffin.
9 The Undertaker Vs Mabel - In Your House 5: Season's Beatings
By the time Undertaker met 1995's King of The Ring winner Mabel, he already had five televised casket matches under his belt. Lacking in experience, Mabel was a man on a mission as he tried to avoid being the next wrestler placed in the coffin.
However, a mask-wearing Undertaker had payback on his mind as his Phantom of The Opera get-up was due to a (legit) crushing blow from Mabel. Taker would shake off interference from Mabel's manager Mo, chokeslam the 400-pounder, and place the duo in their new resting place.
8 Daniel Bryan Vs Kane - SmackDown (January 29, 2015)
In a rare casket match that didn't involve The Undertaker, Daniel Bryan and Kane would use the gimmick as they main evented SmackDown. Being Undertaker's brother, Kane was more than familiar with caskets. As ex-tag team champions, Bryan and Kane were more than familiar with each other. With The Big Red Machine dishing out the punishment, and Bryan flying around like a mad-man, the two put on a stellar performance, especially for a free TV match. In the end, "The Yes Movement" helped Bryan score an upset win, and he closed the lid on The Devil's Favorite Demon.
7 The Undertaker Vs Kama - SummerSlam 1995
Messing with The Undertaker's urn is a good way to end up on The Phenom's bad side. But if you melt it down and turn it into a big gold necklace, you better come ready to fight for your life. Kama would do just that as he and Undertaker had one of the longer casket matches in existence. Most casket matches tend to trend hardcore, but this one showcased the two big men standing toe to toe and slugging it out in an epic fight. Kama held his ground, but he was no match as Undertaker defended what was essentially his home turf.
6 Chavo Guerrero Vs The Undertaker - SmackDown (October 31, 2008)
When SmackDown fell on Halloween in 2008, the stage was set to pull out one of the spookiest matches WWE had in its arsenal. Most of Undertaker's casket match battles are with a super-heavyweight, but we got a pleasant mix-up when former Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero was called to action. The clash of styles made for a fun pairing, especially with Chavo being a bumping and selling machine. Undertaker would pull out the victory, despite interference from The Big Show, who has his own casket match coming with The Deadman.
5 The Undertaker Vs The Big Show - Survivor Series 2008
Possibly suffering from PTSD from when The Big Boss Man wrecked his father's funeral, The Big Show was quite fearful of the stipulation on the build up to 2008's Survivor Series. Big Show would even go on to destroy the casket mid-match. Unfortunately for the giant, Undertaker rolls several caskets deep. The druids dropped off another, leading to a great spot. With the coffin standing vertical, Undertaker whipped the big man in, causing it to topple over, and the lid to close perfectly shut behind him.
4 The Undertaker Vs Yokozuna - Survivor Series 1994
Following a hokey mess of a casket match at 1994's Royal Rumble, Mean Mark and the mighty Yokozuna would get a do-over at the '94 Survivor Series. With an entire heel locker-room worth of interference costing the Deadman the first meeting, WWE employed the talents of "Walker Texas Ranger" Chuck Norris.
As special guest enforcer, Norris was a perfect choice to watch the crypt as he doesn't fear death, because death fears him. Even though I.R.S. was still able to sneak by and cause trouble, Undertaker rebounded and got the win in what would be a much better showdown than the first.
3 The Undertaker Vs Mark Henry WrestleMania 22
When the World's Strongest Man cost The Demon of Death Valley a World Heavyweight Title win, there was going to be hell to pay. That hell would come in the form of a pre-mature burial for the former Olympian, Mark Henry. In the only casket match to ever take place at WrestleMania, the two behemoths went to war. After Undertaker was impressively able to get the over 400-pound Henry up for a Tombstone piledriver, it was game over as Henry would taste The Reaper's revenge.
2 The Undertaker Vs Randy & Bob Orton - No Mercy 2005
In 2005, a young Randy Orton was building a legacy for himself, and a mostly healthy Undertaker still had the goods. The two would meet at No Mercy, with Randy bringing his dad, Cowboy Bob, along for the ride. With this being the first handicap casket match, the gimmick got a new twist after 13 years in the WWE. This match has it all: action, drama, and the bond between a father and son who do not want to be put in a casket. The numbers game would help The Orton Family score a win, and lead to Randy living up to his "Legend Killer" nickname when he set the casket on fire.
1 The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels - Royal Rumble 1998
If you've watched professional wrestling anytime in the last thirty years, you know that when The Heartbreak Kid, and The Phenom step into the ring together, something great is going to happen. By the time Shawn Michaels and Undertaker squared off in a casket match, they already had a five stars match between them. Despite Michaels severally injuring his back just minutes into the match, the two put on yet another an instant classic. Shades of 1994 Royal Rumble, a group run in ended the match, before Kane came came to the aid of his brother. However, we were in for a swerve bro, as Kane turned on Taker, put him in the coffin, and set it ablaze.