TUCSON, Ariz. -- World Heavyweight Champion Edge's payback plan went horribly awry on SmackDown, as Undertaker left the Rated-R Superstar's minions, Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, battered and bloodied in the ring. (WATCH)

The Ultimate Opportunist and his pals were out for revenge for The Phenom putting his hands on the champion and chokeslamming Hawkins last week on SmackDown. (WATCH)

As Edge and fiancée Vickie Guerrero mulled over honeymoon ideas in the locker room, the mood quickly shifted as Hawkins and Ryder interrupted to plan some payback on Undertaker. "Zack, you're just the man to do it," the champion said, adding, "Don't worry, we got your back."

Perhaps sensing the Ultimate Opportunist had something up his sleeve, Undertaker welcomed the fight before the vengeful trio could strike first. After intervening in the match between Balls Mahoney and Big Daddy V -- and promptly ridding the ring of both opponents -- The Phenom grabbed the mic and called out the champion. "Death waits for no man. Edge, bring me your minion … so he too can meet his fate. The same fate that you will meet at WrestleMania," he growled.

The World Heavyweight Champion, Hawkins and Ryder promptly emerged from the locker room to look up at The Phenom towering above them in the ring. Ryder was the first sacrificial victim offered up to The Deadman. Ryder may have hung in longer than expected, but was eventually demolished by Undertaker -- while the Rated-R Superstar and Hawkins could only look on.

Then, as Undertaker wrapped Ryder up in his deadly new submission move -- and blood flowed from his mouth -- Edge and Hawkins jumped into the ring to save him from The Phenom's asphyxiating grip. They freed Ryder and began a 2-on-1 assault on Undertaker. But, as the No. 1 contender turned the tables on the two, Edge hightailed it so fast, he left his title in the ring. With Ryder still out of commission, it was Hawkins who was left to take the brunt of Undertaker's wrath.

Putting the nail in the coffin, Undertaker wrapped Hawkins up in his newest submission move, constricting long and hard. The blood soon flowed from Hawkins' mouth and he was left unconscious on his back. Finally, while staring down at the champion outside of the ring, The Phenom grabbed the World Heavyweight Championship and hoisted it above his head -- sending a strong message to the champion about what he seeks at WrestleMania XXIV.

Days before The Deadman's grim display on SmackDown -- at the Wrestlemania press conference -- Edge vowed he'd find a way to win and retain his title. Can the Ultimate Opportunist possibly break Undertaker's 15-0 WrestleMania streak? Can anyone or anything stop Undertaker, who appears hell-bent on crushing all those in his path?