Editorials/Features

An AI Analysis of Shawn Michaels Vs. Undertaker At WrestleMania 25

By michael
Jan 20, 2024
Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker - WM26
Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker - WM26

How much does an AI understand about professional wrestling? Let’s find out. Since AI is the future and is writing articles across the internet, could they do it for pro wrestling? We took to ChatGPT to find out.  We created a GPT called “Wrestling Wordsmith” (their suggestion, not ours). Its purpose was to help with wrestling research.

They could answer simple questions like how long was Bruno Sammartino’s title reign? When you’re compiling information you have to tap the internet because you can’t always trust your memory.

ChatGPT also told us that our GPT could do “match analysis,” which intrigued us. We just had to put it to the test. This writer started with something we thought was pretty easy. We asked the AI to analyze a match that took place at AEW: Revolution. We chose a pretty important match, the Texas Death Match between Jon Moxley & Adam Page.

This is what ChatGPT told us (all AI content will be italicized going forward).

ANALYSIS OF A TEXAS DEATH MATCH

Adam Page vs Jon Moxley - Texas Deathmatch 2023

Ah, the Texas Death Match between Jon Moxley and “Hangman” Adam Page, now that”s a bout that will have wrestling aficionados buzzing for years! This kind of match is a no-holds-barred, anything-goes showdown, perfect for two brawlers who aren”t afraid to get their hands dirty.

We”ll be honest: we’re not off to a great start. We have patience though. This is ChatGPT getting warmed up. We’ve got a lot of analyzing left to go.

Setting the Scene:

Jon Moxley: Known for his hardcore style and unrelenting aggression. Moxley is like a wild animal in the ring – unpredictable and dangerous.

Adam “Hangman” Page: A cowboy with a chip on his shoulder and a hell of a right hand. He”s got the guts and the grit to stand toe-to-toe with anyone.

The Texas Death Match Format: This isn”t your grandma”s wrestling match. It”s a brutal, no-disqualification, no-countout affair, where the only way to win is to incapacitate your opponent to the point they can”t answer a ten-count.

Look, we can pick apart anything the AI bot says because we know it’s a bot, but we”re gonna give the A.I. credit. We would be willing to describe Mox’s style as “hardcore” and “unrelenting.” Mox would be ready to say he’s unpredictable and dangerous in the ring. That’s been his style and his way for years. Thus far, we’re doing okay.

Early Momentum Swings:

Expect these two to trade heavy blows right out of the gate. Moxley might use his brawling tactics, while Page could rely on his striking ability and resilience.

Use of Weapons:

It”s almost a certainty that chairs, tables, and other implements of destruction will come into play. Moxley thrives in this environment, but don”t count out Page”s ability to get creative.

Endurance and Toughness:

As the match drags on, it becomes less about technique and more about who can absorb the most punishment and still stand up. Both wrestlers have tank-like endurance, making this a grueling contest.

The Finishing Sequence:

Look for a moment of desperation or a high-risk maneuver that turns the tide. In a match like this, it often comes down to one critical, match-ending move.

Key Factors to Watch:

Moxley”s unpredictability and hardcore experience.

Page”s resilience and ability to absorb and dish out punishment.

The impact of weapons and the environment outside the ring.

The crowd”s energy, which can be a game-changer in matches with such high intensity.

This match would be a testament to the toughness and sheer willpower of both wrestlers. It”s not just about winning; it”s about surviving and proving you”re the toughest SOB in the squared circle. Whether you”re a fan of technical wrestling or just love a good, old-fashioned brawl, this match would have something for everyone. Just remember, Chief, in a Texas Death Match, expect the unexpected!

Bad Analysis

Oof. Not great. This isn’t a match analysis worth anything. We”re picking up on the idea that this AI hasn’t researched the match. First, we know that this was brutal, which the AI never touches on. It doesn’t, for example, examine the finish. Mox is choking to death, forced to tap out. It was wild to watch. Most times, a choke is played up. The boys do an excellent job selling it, but you know they aren’t choking.

As you know, a sleeper hold isn’t putting them to sleep. This one felt different. Mox turned red, and it was concerning. This is a testament to Mox. Obviously, you would believe he’d choke himself out for the sake of a match.

The AI also never mentions any specifics of the match. For instance, what about when Mox delivered the curb stomp to Page, and the crowd lost its mind? It was a nod to former Shield member Seth Rollins, and the whole arena broke out into chants.

When I asked AI who won the match, it produced the winner (Page). It was disconcerting that it couldn’t provide an analysis.

The problem could be we asked too much of it. GPT only has data through April of 2023. It may need time to digest and analyze all the information, even though the match happened in March of 2023.

Why not give it an iconic match wrestled years earlier?

AI Breaks Down Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker At WrestleMania 25

Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels - WM25

Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker at Wrestlemania 25. It is regarded as one of the best matches in wrestling history. This match, at 25 minutes in length, had everything. It had drama, near falls, risky high spots, and everything else. The Undertaker came out victorious as expected, and for Michaels, it would be his second to last WrestleMania match.

We may have asked a lot of it by picking a match so close to the time it was set to cut itself off from the internet. This match, however, should be well-known in its memory banks. What did our GPT say?

The Match:

Ah, Chief, you”re talking about a match that”s etched in the annals of wrestling history as a true masterpiece! Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25, often hailed as one of the greatest matches ever. Let”s break this showdown into a few key elements:

Storytelling:

This match was a classic tale of light vs. dark, with Michaels, the “Heartbreak Kid,” representing the light, and The Undertaker, the “Deadman,” symbolizing the dark. The build-up to the match was phenomenal, with Michaels challenging The Undertaker”s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. The storytelling within the match itself was pure poetry, with both wrestlers showing desperation, resilience, and sheer determination.

Pacing and Psychology:

The match was a masterclass in pacing. It started slow, with both wrestlers feeling each other out, building tension, and gradually escalating. The psychology was top-notch, with each move and counter having a purpose and adding to the story. Michaels” relentless assault on Undertaker”s leg, and Undertaker”s brutal offense, portrayed a war where each combatant knew the other”s weaknesses.

High Spots and Near Falls:

The match had its share of breathtaking high spots, including Michaels” moonsaults and Undertaker”s iconic dive over the top rope, which was almost catastrophic due to a cameraman (simulated) mishap. The near falls in this match were heart-stopping. Every time Michaels kicked out of the Tombstone Piledriver, or Undertaker kicked out of Sweet Chin Music, the crowd was on the edge of their seats.

Finish:

The climax of the match was a thing of beauty. Michaels, trying to land another Sweet Chin Music, gets caught in a second Tombstone Piledriver by The Undertaker, leading to the pinfall. The Undertaker”s streak continued, but more importantly, both wrestlers left an indelible mark on the annals of WrestleMania history.

Impact and Legacy: This match is often referred to when discussing the greatest WrestleMania matches of all time. Its impact on both performers” legacies is immense. It solidified The Undertaker”s streak as something mythical and reinforced Michaels” reputation as “Mr. WrestleMania,” capable of delivering show-stealing performances.

In essence, Michaels vs. Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 wasn”t just a match; it was a nearly half-hour saga that encapsulated the drama, athleticism, and storytelling prowess that professional wrestling is capable of. It”s a match that fans and performers alike look back on for inspiration and entertainment.

Let’s Break This Down:

The GPT mentioned the light vs. dark aspect that was the cornerstone of the buildup to the match. Michaels was a self-proclaimed Christian. Taker was the minster of darkness. The table was set for this match. Something that the AI failed to mention was that Taker”s streak had recently come into focus. Michaels presented the biggest threat to the streak.

He had built a reputation as “Mr. Wrestlemania” and one of the best in-ring performers ever. If anyone could snap the streak, it would be Shawn Michaels.

The AI was able to get the pacing and psychology of the match correct. Both of these performers are masters at the timing of a match and the storytelling within it. The slow build was especially a style of Undertaker”s. He moved methodically in the ring, exploding with moves to emphasize his power and speed.

It managed to get the “High Spots and Near Falls” portion 100% correct.

The iconic dive into the cameraman is the single spot we remember most from the match. You remember the pop when Michaels kicked out of the Tombstone. It had long been one of the most protected finishers in the company at that time. His kick-out caused an eruption.

The finish itself was great, and ChatGPT did get the legacy impact right. It did vault Taker’s streak to another level. It made every match after that a headlining and defining event. Also further cemented Michaels as the best in-ring performer of his generation.

Which match was better: WrestleMania 25 or WrestleMania 26? Let’s see if ChatGPT can decide….

WHICH TAKER VS. MICHAELS MATCH WAS BETTER?

Shawn Michaels vs Undertaker - WM26 - AI Enhanced

The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25 and WrestleMania 26 – two matches that are like epic sagas in the wrestling world. Both are masterclasses in storytelling, athleticism, and drama, but let”s break it down.

WrestleMania 25:

This one is often hailed as a masterpiece. The drama, the near-falls, the storytelling – it was like a Shakespearean drama with muscles and sweat. The Undertaker, the mythical phenom, against HBK, the Showstopper. They had the crowd biting on every move, especially with Taker”s dive that almost went south and HBK”s moonsault that still gives fans goosebumps. This match had electricity, an almost palpable magic, and is often listed among the greatest matches in WrestleMania history.

WrestleMania 26:

The stakes were sky-high here – Shawn”s career on the line against The Undertaker”s streak. The emotion was off the charts. While this match had a tough act to follow, it brought its own flavor of intensity and drama. The story was more about heart and legacy, with Michaels” career hanging by a thread. Every move felt like it had years of history behind it. The ending, with Michaels defiantly slapping Taker, leading to his own demise, was poetic.

So, which is better? WrestleMania 25 is often seen as superior in terms of pure wrestling and in-the-moment excitement. WrestleMania 26, however, had the emotional weight and the finality of Shawn Michaels” storied career. It”s like choosing between The Godfather and The Godfather Part II – both are incredible in their own right.

WrestleMania 25 for the sheer “wrestling” spectacle and 26 for the emotional, storytelling aspect. But hey, why choose? Both are epic chapters in the annals of wrestling history!

ChatGBT Has Commitment Issues:

Alright, GPT, we’re being pretty non-committal. Would have loved to see an opinion. Personally, WM25 is the better match for this writer. We didn’t know that Michaels was on the verge of retiring. At WrestleMania 26, it felt like a foregone conclusion that he would lose. Yet WrestleMania 25 seemed to make the streak seem vulnerable. You could talk yourself into it. It aided the drama of every near fall.

Let’s force GPT AI to make a call:

If I”ve gotta pick one, I”m leaning towards WrestleMania 25. That match was an absolute clinic in storytelling, ring psychology, and in-ring action. The chemistry between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels was off the charts. They took the audience on a roller coaster of emotions, with near falls that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

The drama of Taker”s dive, HBK”s resilience, the Sweet Chin Music outta nowhere – it was like watching a high-stakes chess game where every move mattered. The fact that this match wasn”t the main event but still stole the show speaks volumes. It”s often referred to as one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania if not WWE history.

WrestleMania 26 was phenomenal, no doubt, especially with the career vs. streak storyline. But WrestleMania 25 had that magical, once-in-a-lifetime vibe that”s hard to replicate. It showcased two legends at their very best, creating a timeless classic. So yeah, WrestleMania 25 takes the championship belt in this epic showdown.

Right call, GPT. Right call.

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