The mathematical constant pi (π or 3.14) has been a favorite of mine because it is attached to some of my favorite things and moments ever. And in celebration of today, Pi Day, I would like to share my favorite pro wrestling entrance ever, that took place on March 14, 2004: The Undertaker’s WrestleMania XX entrance.
But before I share the entrance proper, let me take you back to Survivor Series (2003).
Survivor Series (2003) and the SmackDown After
The Undertaker, in his Big Evil phase, was beating the hell out of a bleeding Mr. McMahon in their Buried Alive match, and McMahon was seconds away from getting buried in the grave site. When Taker approached the front loader, there was a sudden explosion. Surprisingly, the evil chairman had assistance from Taker’s half-brother Kane, and Mr. McMahon was able to bury his larger opponent. That was the last time we saw The Undertaker as the biker-riding, bandana-wearing American Badass.
On the episode of SmackDown! after Survivor Series, Kane gave a “eulogy” to his half-brother, explaining that Taker is no longer his brother. He said, “He betrayed himself. He became one of you.” He then mocked his own flesh and blood by saying his signature catchphrase, “Rest in peace,” and he laughed.
Kane at the 2004 Royal Rumble Match
Fast-forward to the 2004 Royal Rumble match, where Kane entered at No. 12. He delivered Chokeslams to Chris Benoit (the eventual winner), Booker T, and Matt Morgan, a sidewalk slam to Matt Hardy, a big boot to Rhyno, and another Chokeslam to Randy Orton. With The Big Red Machine the only man standing, he picked up Matt Hardy and delivered a series of strikes in the turnbuckle corner. Then the countdown was heard. Everyone stood up and waited for the 13th entrant.
After ten seconds, the lights went off, and two deep, ominous Undertaker gongs echoed through the arena.
Kane shook his head in disbelief, shouting, “I buried you alive!” Booker T took that as an opportunity to attack the distracted Kane, and he eliminated the demonic giant from the match.
The Mind Games
In the next few weeks, Kane is haunted by The Undertaker’s mind games—from creepy flickering videos of graves, rats, and snakes, flaming Undertaker symbols, lightning striking ring posts, rain pouring on the ramp, and Kane not being able to execute his signature pyro.
In the final Raw before WrestleMania XX, Kane was greeted with a dirty casket and an urn inside it. Kane then went ballistic, throwing the casket out of the ring, and frantically proclaimed, “I am not afraid of you!” In one final ominous message, the ring where he was standing lifted and shook, and the entrance ramp showed these words:
This Sunday (March 14), it all begins again. Rest in peace.
The Moment at WrestleMania XX
Fast-forward to the event itself, WrestleMania XX at the legendary Madison Square Garden. Kane made his way to the ring, while the city landscape entrance stage was in flames. After The Devil’s Favorite Demon’s entrance, the lights went off, and a very familiar voice was heard around the arena: “Oooh, yes!” It was Paul Bearer, Kane’s father, and he had the signature urn. He seemingly reunited with his first client in WWE, and Mr. Bearer did not come alone. Torch-bearing cloaked druids slowly followed the creepy holder of the urn.
When Mr. Bearer reached near the ring, he told Kane in disapproval, “My son… you’re no son of mine!” He turned his back on Kane, surveyed the arena, kissed the urn, and the lights went purple. One more time, the deep, ominous gong was played, and thunder rumbled throughout the arena. Slowly, a new, richer version of The Undertaker’s theme song was heard. Mr. Bearer nodded in approval, Kane shook his head in doubt and fear, while a man in black walked out of the ramp. The Undertaker has returned.
The entire arena roared with cheers while the purple lights clashed with lightning. The Phenom returned with a hybrid style that looks back at the past while moving forward. Passing through the torch-bearing druids slowly, he wore the black hat and leather coat inspired by the Deadman of old, and he kept the same inner attire and MMA-style gloves from his American Badass/Big Evil days. As the reinvigorated Undertaker walked up the stairs, he slowly raised his gloved hands, and the entire crowd cheered further. Everyone saw the classic Undertaker trait once again: the terrifying eye roll.
Kane still couldn’t believe it. He saw The Undertaker, the one he buried alive, alive and well in the ring with him. With Mr. Bearer’s assistance, The Deadman took off his hat and coat, and he stood there like a cold, frightening statue. In that moment, everyone was reminded, especially Kane, that you cannot kill what’s already dead.
Kane walked toward The Undertaker slowly and fearfully, with one arm extended to touch and see if he was just seeing a ghost. When he reached an inch, the Deadman exploded and delivered a series of vicious strikes. Yes, Kane. The Undertaker is back. In under eight minutes, the returning Phenom proved that he can still go, showcasing his classic offense. The match ended when The Undertaker delivered a Chokeslam and Tombstone Piledriver to his younger brother to gain the pinfall. In that moment, Undertaker’s WrestleMania record went to a perfect 12-0.
My Thoughts
Looking back at the Return of the Deadman storyline and the WrestleMania XX bout between The Undertaker and Kane (their second clash at WWE’s flagship event), I find the match just fine compared to their first (the one at WrestleMania XIV). But the buildup was amazingly executed, mostly because The Deadman was not physically present in all the weekly mind games against Kane. That important detail excited the whole fan base, and everyone speculated whether he would truly look like the Deadman of old. When The Undertaker returned a hybrid look that fused both the Deadman and the American Badass, everyone was blown away by that, especially me. In fact, as a long-time fan of The Undertaker, the Hybrid Deadman is one of my favorite Undertaker eras/looks aside from the Lord of Darkness and the rebirthed Deadman with the purple gloves.
As for the entrance itself, not only is it my favorite professional wrestling entrance of all time, it’s my favorite professional wrestling moment of all time. When I saw The Deadman walking through the druids with torches and his reunion with Paul Bearer, everything was so perfectly executed that my mind was focused on nothing but that moment. Seeing that bone-chilling entrance reminded me that professional wrestling can be an amazing escape from reality. Well done, WWE.
WrestleMania XX’s tagline was, “Where it all begins… again.” On March 14, 2004, The Undertaker really began again, and it’s poetic that at that point, The Undertaker’s career went full circle on Pi Day, and that day that celebrates the mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. That is one reason I love the constant pi.
Ω
Header image: WWE. Edited in Adobe Photoshop 2022.
Updated on March 14, 2026.
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