WWF Royal Rumble 1998

The Undertaker controlled much of the early match against Shawn Michaels, repeatedly trying to weaken him enough to place him inside the casket. During one exchange, Michaels went over the top rope and landed lower-back first on the edge of the casket, suffering the back injury that would later contribute to his extended absence from wrestling.

Michaels continued despite the injury and fought back around ringside. He drove The Undertaker onto the steel steps with a piledriver, while Triple H also became involved from ringside.

Michaels later connected with Sweet Chin Music and put The Undertaker into the casket, but stopped to taunt him instead of closing the lid immediately. The Undertaker recovered and resumed the attack.

The Undertaker eventually delivered a Tombstone Piledriver that put Michaels inside the casket and appeared to have the match won. But before he could close the casket, members of D-Generation X, the New Age Outlaws, and Los Boricuas became involved.

Kane came to ringside and initially cleared the attackers away, making it appear that he had finally decided to help his brother. However, Kane then turned on The Undertaker and chokeslammed him into the casket. Michaels was able to close the lid, giving him the victory and allowing him to retain the WWF Championship.

After the match, Paul Bearer joined Kane as the casket was taken toward the entrance. Kane attacked it with an axe before he and Bearer set it on fire. The betrayal finally pushed The Undertaker into accepting a match against Kane.