Of course, I wanted to end this series on a high note, and I don't know that they come any scarier than the Undertaker. When he first appeared in WWE (30 years ago next month), I thought he'd be a flash in the pan. There was no way a dead man gimmick was going to go very far.
But man, was I wrong. While I wouldn't add him to my top 10 favorites, he is definitely one of the wrestlers I respect and admire. He has put himself through so much over the years, and just with his loyalty and consistency alone, he's in the conversation of all-time greats.
I loved the early stuff. Even though it was borderline cheesy at times, the presentation was so memorable. Stuffing his opponent in a body bag as Paul Bearer stood by with the urn was great. Casket matches eventually became a thing, and then the first set of Buried Alive matches. The Undertaker was part of the first Hell in a Cell match as well.
I could write for days about the Undertaker and what he's meant to the business. We all know it. I am just glad WWE is honoring him all November long for his 30 years as that character. Despite its evolution (which helps characters survive), the Undertaker has a permanent spot in WWE history.
Side note: I didn't do a separate feature on Paul Bearer but very easily could have. Bearer and Undertaker together was one of the best manager/wrestler combos. And even apart, Bearer evolved the character and made it work with Mankind, Kane, and Vader. Kudos to him for that.
The Undertaker made his debut in the WWF at the Survivor Series in 1990. At that point, Brother Love was managing the Dead Man. A couple months later the world met Undertaker's new manager Paul Bearer. The partnership made complete sense and happened ironically on the Brother Love Show. Not only did Paul Bearer replace Love as Undertaker's manager, but Bearer's Funeral Parlor segment soon replaced the Brother Love Show. The set for this segment was very elaborate. The casket, the eerie light and funeral music all added to the effect. Here are a few of my favorite moments from The Funeral Parlor.
During the spring of 1991, the Ultimate Warrior paid a visit to the Funeral Parlor. Bearer starts the segment off reminding fans of his open invitation to the mortuary. The Ultimate Warrior accepted the invite. Bearer unveiled a casket covered with the Warrior's trademark logo on it. As Warrior and Bearer argued, Undertaker appeared out of another nearby casket. Warrior was assaulted and eventually stuffed into his personalized casket.
The aftermath Courtesy: WWE
Vince McMahon on commentary is selling the attack in true McMahon fashion. Officials tried in vain to get the casket open as McMahon, Roddy Piper and Randy Savage debated the fate of the Warrior. It took forever, but the casket finally got popped open and the Warrior was unconscious and the lining on the lid had been ripped to shreds. They actually showed CPR being performed and finally, Warrior came to again. This attack led to a series of matches between Undertaker and Ultimate Warrior, but the big payoff never really happened. You may remember Warrior fled WWF right after SummerSlam that year and by the time he returned at WrestleMania 8, Undertaker was a good guy. In my fantasy booking mind, I had Undertaker teaming with Sgt. Slaughter and Col. Mustafa against Hulk Hogan and Warrior in the main event, subbing Taker in for Gen. Adnan. Additional fun fact, according to Bruce Prichard, Warrior did not go when officials shopped for the coffin and Road Warrior Hawk was used as the stand-in for the purchase.
Jake, Paul and Undertaker Courtesy: WWE
Undertaker, Bearer and Jake "The Snake" Roberts had a partnership at one point. But that relationship soured when Jake tried to attack Savage and Elizabeth after a Saturday Night's Main Event. Shortly after that Jake called out Undertaker, locked the urn and Taker's hand inside a casket and then DDT'd Bearer. Jake used a chair on Undertaker until the Dead Man mustered the strength to drag the coffin behind him and chase the Snake away. The segment took us to WrestleMania 8 as I mentioned above, where Undertaker beat Roberts. This move solidified Undertaker as a babyface and Jake was soon gone from the WWF. Jake had been on the Funeral Parlor a handful of times before but this was the most memorable and set up the turn for both Bearer and Undertaker.
The Hulkster's visit Courtesy: WWE
Months after the Ultimate Warrior incident, WWF Champion Hulk Hogan was asked to be on the Funeral Parlor. He was preparing to defend the title against Undertaker at Survivor Series 1991. Before Hogan could even talk, Ric Flair arrived on the scene and the two engaged in a war of words. Just like he did to Warrior, Undertaker came out of a casket and nailed the champ from behind with an urn. He and Flair then put the boots to Hulkster.
Savage & Piper with the save Courtesy: WWE
In a surprise move, two of Hogan's biggest rivals of all-time, Piper and Savage left commentary with chairs and chased off the heels. Hogan's trademark gold cross was ripped from his neck during the segment too. Days later, Flair would help Undertaker win his first WWF Championship as Hogan lost the "Gravest Challenge." Those are just a few of my favorite moments from the Funeral Parlor. Bearer did a great job with the segment and helped tell many memorable stories. What were your favorite memories of this feature?
The Undertaker's urn has been used as not just a source of power for the Dead Man through the years, but also as a way to gain the advantage in some matches. Perhaps the most infamous moment the urn came in to play was at SummerSlam 1996 when Paul Bearer used the container and smashed his man in the head with it. It was a turning point in the character development for both men as Paul Bearer made it clear he no longer wanted to be affiliated with the Undertaker.
Double-crossed Courtesy: WWE
When the Undertaker and Paul Bearer came on the scene so many years ago, I had little hope for the gimmick. I figured the duo would be another set of characters in Vince McMahon's parade of cartoonish gimmicks. Undertaker in my mind was going to be a short term mid-card performer at best. It's a true testament to the men behind both gimmicks to keep it alive and relevant for as long as they did.
Kane attacks Courtesy: WWE
Back to the urn, though, the other significant time that comes to mind is when Kane used the urn to win the World Championship at Hell in a Cell 2010. The giant urn flashed a bright light in the eyes of the Undertaker and he cost him the title.
I know there are plenty of other instances when the urn came in to play to support the Undertaker through the years. And who knows, maybe there's one more chance for the urn to return. Never say never.
Since the 2017 Royal Rumble is right around the corner, I've decided to countdown to this year's event with my 10 favorite non-Rumble Royal Rumble matches. At the 1997 Survivor Series, the world was shocked when Vince McMahon screwed Bret Hart out of the WWF Championship. Shawn Michaels won the title and fans were not shy about voicing their displeasure. This came at a time that the Heartbreak Kid was also engaged in a memorable feud with The Undertaker. HBK had cost Undertaker the championship at SummerSlam '97. The two clashed in the first ever Hell in a Cell two months later and we met the Undertaker's estranged brother Kane. After the Montreal Screwjob, it was time for Michaels to face the Undertaker once again.
Undertaker's death in 1994
Courtesy: WWE
The Royal Rumble was the place and this time it was in a casket match. Historically speaking, the Rumble hasn't always been kind to 'Taker. He "died" in a casket match against Yokozuna at the 1994 event. Vader pinned him in pretty quick fashion at the '97 Rumble and this particular title match wasn't going to go for The Dead Man either.
In 1998, the Royal Rumble match was on before the championship match. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin beat 29 other Superstars (if you count all three faces of Foley) prior to Shawn and Undertaker doing battle. In the closing moments, both men ended up in the casket, and as Shawn tried to escape, he was pulled back in. They battled back out and brawled until Taker tombstoned HBK back into the casket. But Chyna knocked out the ref and a handful of heels attacked Undertaker until the lights went out. Kane's music hit and the thought was he was going to save his big brother as the two had reconciled their differences. But Kane clocked Taker and assaulted him before he and Shawn closed the challenger into the casket. Paul Bearer and Kane locked the casket up and rolled it to the ramp before Kane took an ax to the wooden box. He then doused it in gasoline and set it on fire. The blazing casket and a frantic commentary team closed the show.
Trying to win...
Courtesy: WWE
Despite having major back issues at the time, HBK put on one helluva match that night. It was the precursor for the epic feud between Kane and the Undertaker and set up the official torch passing from Shawn to Stone Cold and a new era of wrestling ensued. 10 Favorite Non-Rumble Royal Rumble matches
The Undertaker has been a part of 15 SummerSlams, and next week he'll return to the summertime tradition after missing several of the past few years. He's wrestled the likes of Edge, Randy Orton and even the legendary Kamala at SummerSlam. But maybe his greatest opponent of all-time was against himself. Yes, the Undertaker stepped into the ring and did battle against the Undertaker at SummerSlam '94.
Quick backstory (if it's possible to be quick)... The Undertaker was beaten by Yokozuna in a casket match at the Royal Rumble in 1994 and disappeared from TV for months, even missing Wrestlemania X that year. By late spring or early summer, Ted DiBiase was a manager and claimed he had seen Taker and was bringing him back to the WWF (he and Brother Love introduced Undertaker originally at Survivor Series 1990).
Leslie Nielson on the case
Paul Bearer claimed that DiBiase's Undertaker was a fake and for some reason Leslie Nielson from Police Squad and The Naked Gun was brought in to investigate. It was very cheesy, but this was all happening around the same time as the steroids trial and sexual abuse allegations. I don't remember much of Nielson's involvement beyond the vignettes that aired leading up to SummerSlam.
Tombstone! Courtesy: WWE
Speaking of SummerSlam for some reason this match went on last and is recognized as the main event, following a more than 30 minute steel cage battle between Owen and Bret Hart for the WWF World championship. Bearer's Undertaker was the real deal, easily beating the bogus 'Taker who was played by Smoky Mountain Wrestling star Brian Lee. After the defeat, the druids took Lee away and he'd come back years later as Chainz in the DOA with Crush and the Harris twins.
By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter The latest announcement for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2014 is the late, great Paul Bearer. I don't think many people were surprised by this induction, as there was speculation last year that he'd go in, just weeks after his unexpected death. Obviously, he is worthy of this honor, and I'm sad that he will not be there to accept this recognition. My first memories of Paul Bearer are actually of his alter ego, Percy Pringle III. He was a flamboyant manager in World Class Championship Wrestling when I first saw him. He had blond hair, wore horrible suits, and usually carried a cane. More often than not, that cane would be used to run interference in a match and help his guy win. (I know his history is deeper than WCCW, but this is when I first came to know of him.)
Rick Rude & Percy Pringle
Photo courtesy: WWE
Rick Rude was Percy's main man in World Class. He managed the Ravishing One to the WCCW title. I can still remember the anger I felt when he whacked Lance Von Erich with the cane and interfered when Kerry Von Erich was on the verge of winning the belt from Rude. This was the perfect heel-manager combo going. They were the duo I loved to hate.
Undertaker & Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE
Eventually Percy would trade those brightly colored suit coats and blond hair for jet black locks and a dark suit. He carried an urn and talked with a quiver in his voice. Percy was now Paul Bearer, manager of the Undertaker. These two worked together so well. Bearer's mannerisms and emotions helped convince fans that he and the Undertaker were in fact very real and not some flash in the pan gimmick. Even after he split from 'Taker in 1996, the Bearer character continued on. Just like the Undertaker, Paul Bearer had to evolve as a character. He lost the pale face and dyed black hair and seemed more natural. He was borderline evil when he brought Kane into the WWE. He also managed Mankind and Vader for a time.
Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE
I don't know for sure, but I think it's safe to say that Paul Bearer may have been the longest serving manager in the WWE. His first stint in the company lasted more than 11 years before the was "killed off." He returned a couple more times, before meeting his demise again and again.
I'm looking forward to learning more about William Moody, the man who played Paul Bearer. I'll be at the Hall of Fame Ceremony in New Orleans. May he rest in peace.
We've lost several wrestling greats in 2013. As we prepare to wrap up the year and look ahead to 2014, I wanted to take a moment to honor those who died this year. May they all rest in peace.
I’ll admit I’m not a fan of
The Undertaker coming back for matches at Wrestlemania. Ever since “the streak”
became a focal point of Wrestlemania, only the match against Randy Orton had me
thinking Undertaker was going to lose. Now Taker takes most of the year off,
comes back for the match at Wrestlemania, performs his signature moves, rolls
his eyes back in his head while sticking out his tongue while the video screen updates with the new number in the win column. YAWN.
When the rumors starting
floating around saying CM Punk would be Undertaker’s opponent at Wrestlemania
29, I questioned what WWE hoped to accomplish with the match. Had CM Punk not
lost the WWE Title to The Rock, I could understand a Streak vs. Longest Title
Reign in 25 years build up, even though we’d already seen Taker win the World
Title at Wrestlemanias 23 and 24.
Still, there would be something on the line in the match. After Punk
lost two pay per view matches to The Rock and a match to John Cena on Raw, I
felt putting him into another no-win match wasn’t the most sensible decision to
make. Not to mention the manner in which WWE initially set up the match. It all
seemed like “we don’t really have anything else for these guys to do so lets
put them into a match against each other.” Then something happened.
Punk mocks Taker Photo courtesy: WWE
The death of Paul Bearer,
while saddening and unfortunate, may have been the best thing to happen for the
Punk/Taker match. The death gave
Punk ammunition to use during promos and helped humanize Undertaker. While I
still feel Undertaker should have retired after Wrestlemania 28 since 20-0 was
a good round number to end the streak, I am now of the opinion the streak
should end this year.
While Paul Bearer hasn’t
been in Undertaker’s corner at Wrestlemania since Wrestlemania XX, the fact he
can’t be in the corner this year could be used to make Undertaker appear weaker
than normal. Since it’s a pretty safe bet John Cena will avenge his loss to The
Rock from last year and, even with the retirement stipulation, Triple H will
most likely avenge his loss, having Taker fail to make CM Punk pay for his
disrespecting Paul Bearer, would make Wrestlemania a tad bit more
interesting.
CM Punk doesn’t need to be
the person to end the streak, yet it would give him something to brag about
whenever he needs to get the crowd riled up. As much as I don’t think the
streak should be broken, if there were any time to break it, that time would be
now. I don’t know how many more matches Undertaker has left in him. I do know
I’m tired of the streak and the sporadic appearances of the Undertaker. If CM
Punk were to beat the Undertaker, I would imagine the crowd would go crazy and
WWE would get one of the most vocal reactions from an audience that for all
likely purposes could be in a frozen silence if the weather doesn’t get better
in the next two weeks. Plus, Twitter and Tout would be burning up with
reactions from fans at home.
The Undertaker’s matches at
Wrestlemania have become stale. It’s time to shake it up and the best way to do
that is to end the streak. I’m either crazy or a jaded fan but that’s how I see
it. I know I’ll be sitting in the stands chanting, END..THE..STREAK (clap clap
clap). Who is with me?
I was saddened this morning to learn that William "Paul Bearer" Moody had passed away. Just the other day I watched a bit of a shoot video with him and Jim Cornette. Just 48 hours ago, fans on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page brought up the idea of Bearer return to Raw with the Undertaker.
I know he'd had some health issues over the years, including morbid obesity and surgery to help correct that problem. He also had gall bladder trouble. Sadly, his body has given out and a legend is gone much too soon.
Rick Rude & Percy Pringle
My first memories of Bearer date back to his days in World Class Championship Wrestling. He was the rich and pompous Percy Pringle or Percival Pringle III. Pringle managed guys like Matt Bourne and Buzz Sawyer, but I think his most notable charge was an up and coming "Ravishing" Rick Rude. Pringle played his role well, interfering in his men's matches and leading them to gold. Rude was the World Class heavyweight champion for quite some time and many of his wins came after Pringle got involved. I still remember when my favorite Kerry Von Erich was wrestling Rude for the title and Pringle whacked Kerry with a cane and allowing Rude to score in my mind the biggest upset of the year.
I was happy to see Pringle make his way to the WWF in 1991. He had a new look and sound, but continued to put his expertise on display. As Paul Bearer he managed the Undertaker for years, taking the Dead Man to new heights as well. When he turned his back on 'Taker at SummerSlam 96 and aligned with Mankind fans were shocked. A year later when he brought "his son" Kane to the WWF, Bearer helped breath new fire in his story against the Undertaker.
Through the years in WWE, Bearer had many men in his stable. I think his pairing with Undertaker is my obvious favorite, but I enjoyed the work he did with Kane too, especially early on. His talk show "The Funeral Parlor" was also memorable with his unique voice and macabre look. While the show wasn't my favorite of all time, it certainly was memorable and found its niche on Superstars. The Ultimate Warrior being locked in the coffin was probably the most infamous angle done on that set.
Kane and Paul Bearer
Photo courtesy: WWE
The last time we saw him on WWE TV I believe was when Randy Orton put him in a freezer last year leading up to Kane's match with Orton at Wrestlemania. I think storyline wise this was the third time the character had been killed off. It almost seemed to be a rib that the mortician kept dying on TV.
I asked our friends on the Facebook page today to share their favorite memories of Paul Bearer. Here's what folks are saying. Thanks for reading, and Rest in Peace Paul Bearer.
Martin EndersbyWhen he introduced Kane to the world. Some classic over the top in-ring interviews with McMahon then. Also when Jake DDT'd him on The Funeral Parlour.
Mike LogsdonMine is more personal. I took my son to SmackDown a couple of years ago in Bloomington, IL on the night he returned to help Undertaker fight then champion Kane. My son was only 8 years old but I am so glad he got to see the return of one of the very best. RIP
I've blogged about Kane before, but I can't let the 15th anniversary of his character introduction pass without acknowledging it and updating my thoughts on the Big Red Monster. I was in the Savvis Center (now Scott Trade Center) in St. Louis the night Kane debuted at Badd Blood.
We all know the story by know, Kane was the younger brother of the Undertaker who had been burned and lived a miserable life. He was brought to the WWF by Taker's former manager (and later revealed Kane's father) to destroy the dead man. That night he did just that as he ripped the doors off the Hell in a Cell cage, entered the ring and tombstoned a shocked Undertaker. This enabled Shawn Michaels to win the first ever HIAC (which still holds up as one of the best of all time).
Brothers of Destruction Raw 1,000 Photo by WWE.com
Kane went on to feud with the Undertaker off and on his entire career in the WWE. They teamed up as the Brothers of Destruction and won tag team gold on more than one occasion. They're most recent feud in 2010 was during Kane's World championship reign in which the Monster got the upper hand on his brother. But at Raw 1,000 the brothers once again reunited. It's been the last sighting of the Undertaker so far this year, and ironically again it was in St. Louis.
I think the Kane character has lasted so long because the WWE got behind him and Glenn Jacobs (the man behind the mask) has really embraced it. The monstrous, evil Kane hit the scene at the right time. The WWF was struggling in the ratings war with WCW. I've always enjoyed the monster heel version of Kane, but really as he's evolved through the years I can't say there hasn't been a phase that I haven't liked.
Kane & Lita wedded bliss Monday Night Raw Photo by WWE.com
We've seen Kane fall in love and even get married (to Lita) and then divorced. He's set legendary announcers (JR) on fire. Kane even, for reasons no one is quite sure of, has destroyed baseball legend Pete Rose on more than one occasion.
For years, Kane went without the mask, but earlier this year (or maybe late last year) returned with a new look. He initially came back as evil Kane feuding with John Cena trying to get him to embrace the hate, which never really worked. He picked up in my view an upset win over Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 28.
Team Hell No with Edge Friday Night SmackDown! Photo by WWE.com
More recently, he got embroiled in the love square with AJ, Daniel Bryan, and CM Punk. I'll admit at first, I wasn't sure why he was participating in this angle, but I've gotta tell you I love where it's gone so far. The Anger Management vignettes in the beginning of this angle were high quality entertainment. Kane and Bryan are the unlikely tag team champions, and as Team Hell No are destroying the competition. My only worry for the duo is over saturation, which is a legit concern in this day and age of wrestling.
Glenn's early days as demonic dentist Isaac Yankem to the fake Diesel (and even theChristmas Creature) put him on the path to Kane. It's a role he has done well with. Congratulations and enjoy continued success.
