In 2006, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon turned down a significant Undertaker WrestleMania pitch proposed by The Undertaker and Kurt Angle. During a recent episode of the Six Feet Under podcast, hosted by Mark Calaway, both WWE Hall of Famers revealed how they approached McMahon with a proposal to wrestle for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania, which he ultimately declined.
This reveal sheds light on creative decisions behind some of WWE’s biggest events, illustrating the challenges even top wrestling veterans face in shaping the biggest storylines.
How The Undertaker and Kurt Angle Began Their 2006 Feud
The feud between The Undertaker and Kurt Angle started at the 2006 Royal Rumble, when Angle successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Mark Henry. Immediately after, The Undertaker declared his intent to challenge Angle for the title, sparking a rivalry on the SmackDown brand. Their clashes became a major storyline heading into WrestleMania season.
At WWE No Way Out 2006, the two engaged in a highly regarded match lasting nearly 30 minutes, where Angle secured a victory, retaining his championship. Their rivalry continued with further confrontations on SmackDown, including interference from Mark Henry.
Meanwhile, The Undertaker took on Henry in a Casket Match at WrestleMania 22, managing to defeat him and extend his iconic WrestleMania undefeated streak to 14-0.
The Rejected WrestleMania World Heavyweight Championship Proposal
On the Six Feet Under podcast, Kurt Angle revealed the details of their WrestleMania pitch to McMahon, expressing regret over its rejection. They requested to face each other for the World Heavyweight Championship on WWE’s biggest stage. Vince McMahon refused, explaining they would wrestle a month prior instead.
“I don’t think the Streak should have been broken. We presented to Vince and Vince said, ‘No, you’re going to wrestle a month before,’ that’s what he said.” – Kurt Angle, WWE Hall of Famer
This decision meant Angle retained the title heading into WrestleMania 22, but lost it to Rey Mysterio, who surprised audiences with his victory that year.
Context of the World Heavyweight Title Scene at WrestleMania 22
The rejection of The Undertaker WrestleMania pitch was set against a dynamic title landscape. After Kurt Angle’s win over The Undertaker at No Way Out, the title changed hands during WrestleMania 22 when Rey Mysterio defeated Angle in a memorable match. This shifted momentum away from the planned Undertaker storyline, potentially influencing creative directions moving forward.
The Undertaker’s status as a legendary figure was further solidified by his Casket Match win against Mark Henry at the same WrestleMania event, maintaining his unbeaten WrestleMania streak and providing a highlight for fans despite missing out on the world title opportunity.
Implications of the Pitch Denial on WWE Storylines
Vince McMahon’s decision to reject the Undertaker WrestleMania title match proposal reflects WWE’s complex creative planning, where even major stars’ ideas may be set aside to prioritize larger storyline goals. This instance highlights how WWE balances veteran talent storylines with emerging stars and championship dynamics.
The denial likely influenced the trajectory of both Kurt Angle and The Undertaker’s WWE careers and WrestleMania legacies. It also allowed Rey Mysterio’s moment of triumph to become a defining WrestleMania moment, changing WWE’s landscape at the time.
For fans and historians, knowing about this rejected pitch offers insight into the behind-the-scenes negotiations that shape WWE’s major events and underlines how pivotal creative choices can alter wrestling history.
