Poll

Best Undertaker

Original
4 (36.4%)
Deadman
3 (27.3%)
Ministry
1 (9.1%)
Badass/Big Evil
0 (0%)
Current
3 (27.3%)

Total Members Voted: 0

Author Topic: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"  (Read 6912 times)

mass 04

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What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« on: August 13, 2009, 08:02:34 PM »
My personal favorite was the "Ministry" Undertaker of 1999. Burning the teddy bear (which i think is a great forgotten moment). "crucifying" Austin, The Corporate Ministry, The higher power stuff was all great.
Here's a list to refresh. Kind of old

Western Mortician
November 1990 - January 1994

Symbolised by the original western look with a black overcoat, hat, grey leather gloves and grey boot-covers. The birth of this persona was at the Undertaker's debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. Always remaining a quiet character, originally lead by Brother Love, until aligning himself with Paul Bearer during a segment called the Brother Love Show. This was the beginning of a long time partnership that would have many twists and turns in nearly all of Undertaker's facets. The persona itself can be split into two halves in that he was originally a heel from his debut, including his minor feud with Hulk Hogan in late 1991 where he defeated Hogan to win the WWF Title. Rescuing Miss Elizabeth from the hands of Jake "The Snake" Roberts just before WrestleMania VIII in 1992 and then his defeat over Jake at WrestleMania VIII, lead to the Undertaker's babyface turn during which he feuded with Kamala and Giant Gonzalez. We also saw the introduction of the Casket Match which put fear into the hearts of his opponents and was eventually the demise of the Western Undertaker as he "died" and ascended to the heavens as a result of being entombed in a casket at the 1994 Royal Rumble.

Deadman
August 1994 - October 1996 Undertaker officially became the Deadman on returning from the dead at SummerSlam 1994 with an updated attire, wearing the famous purple leather gloves, purple boot-covers, etc. to take on Ted DiBiase's fake Undertaker. This persona continued through to the Undertaker's revenge on Yokozuna, his feuds with Kama and Mabel, Goldust and Mankind. It was during this era that he wore a grey mask, fought in a Boiler Room Brawl and was betrayed by Paul Bearer. Undertaker participated in the first ever Buried Alive Match against Mankind at In Your House 1996, winning the match but the Executioner interfered afterwards, burying the Undertaker alive signalling the end of this era.

Lord of Darkness
November 1996 - December 1998
 
The Undertaker was reborn again a month after being buried alive. This time he descended to the ring from the rafters in black leather attire and bat-like wings. The long-term feud with Mankind was temporarily sealed shut, as was a defeat over The Executioner. Into 1997, 'Taker focused his attention on winning the Royal Rumble and The Final Four. Failing in both he was finally granted a shot at the WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13 on Raw. After winning the WWF Championship Undertaker told his Creatures of the Night that this gave birth to the dark days of the WWF. He went on to hold the title for 5 months before losing to Bret "Hit Man" Hart at SummerSlam 1997. This title loss was the birth of a feud with Shawn Michaels, including the first-ever "Hell in a Cell" match and a Casket match. The Phenom also faced the challenge of his brother Kane who set him on fire inside a casket at Royal Rumble 1998, resulting in an historic match at WrestleMania XIV and an Inferno match. The two brothers briefly became allies against Stone Cold Steve Austin at one point, then turned on Vince McMahon and then the Phenom turned on Kane, realigning himself with Paul Bearer.

Minister of Darkness
January 1999 - September 1999 Still with Austin and Kane set in his sights, towards the end of 1998, the Undertaker began speaking of a Ministry of evil and the dark days that would soon be taking over the WWF. This was the first sign of the Undertaker becoming more demonic than ever before. Austin was crucified on an Undertaker symbol and almost embalmed in a sacrifice. However, Kane assisted Austin in burying the Undertaker alive at December 1998's PPV. When the Undertaker returned just before the 1999 Royal Rumble, he was draped in a black hooded cloak with a Satan-like beard. The Lord of Darkness began selecting members for his evil Ministry of Darkness. The Undertaker met again with the likes of Austin and The Rock in WWF Championship action. The siding with Shane McMahon and unveiling of the "Higher Power" (Vince McMahon) later led to the formation of the Corporate Ministry, one of the biggest factions in the WWF ever. However, after losing the WWF Championship, the Undertaker took the Big Show under his wing and the two giants forming the Unholy Alliance, along with Paul Bearer and began searching out the Tag Team Titles. In September 1999 when the Undertaker was told by Vince he would have to earn his shot at the WWF Championship, 'Taker expressed his refusal to keep on taking orders from Vince and walked out on the WWF on SmackDown!

American Badass
May 2000 - December 2001 After 8 months time-off due to real life injuries, the Undertaker made his long-awaited return at Judgment Day in May 2000. However, the days of pitch black, blue fog and church organ music entrances were gone. The Undertaker was now an American Bad Ass biker complete with sunglasses, bandana, leather trench coat and motorcycle. The Badass allowed everyone to see a new side to the Undertaker, he was still one of the most dominant forces in the WWF but he appeared more human. He introduced us to his wife Sara, who was being stalked by DDP at the time, but it was soon apparent she could fight her own battles. The Undertaker soon found his way back into WWF Championship action towards the end of 2000. In 2001, the American Bad Ass formed an alliance with Kane. The Brothers of Destruction were on a war path for the Tag Team Titles. After supporting Team WWF at the InVasion 2001 against WCW/ECW's Team Alliance, the Undertaker and Kane seemed to go their separate ways.

Big Evil
December 2001 - November 2003 In probably the most shocking of the Phenom's heel turns Undertaker attacked JR on Raw, fed up of kissing Vince McMahon's ass for all those years, he decided he had, had enough. The Undertaker now had a new shaved haircut, dyed jet black, accompanied by a new kick-ass, take-no-sh*t, brawling attitude, arguably more aggressive than ever before. He had now assumed the Red Devil Big Evil persona, defeating Rob Van Dam for the Hardcore Championship at Vengeance 2001, winning the WWE Championship from Hulk Hogan at Judgment Day 2002 and having a feud with Brock Lesnar towards the end of 2002, culminating in a Hell in a Cell match. Throughout 2003, Big Evil encountered the Big Show and A-Train on numerous occasions. He met with Brock Lesnar again in a Biker Chain match and then finally with the boss himself Vince McMahon in a Buried Alive match. This resulted in the Undertaker being buried under 6 feet of dirt with the help of his psychotic brother Kane.

Reincarnation
March 2004 - Current For 3 years the Undertaker showed a different side to him, a more human side, but after a series of traumatic events resulting in him being buried alive, the Undertaker returned as the Deadman at WrestleMania XX. The Undertaker was a culmination of all his previous personas, dressed in his Big Evil attire accompanied by a long leather trench coat and hat. Paul Bearer returned by his side but was soon deposed of by 'Taker himself as he was a weakness the Phenom couldn't afford. Feuding with JBL most notably in an attempt to become the 5 time WWE Champion, however his chances were thwarted by the psychotic Heidenreich. Other memorable feuds included those against Randy Orton and Kurt Angle. Undertaker also updated his attire within this persona going back to his routes, with tights as part of a full body suit.

Hulkster

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2009, 09:19:35 PM »
the original western mortician persona was the best IMO.

check out the pops taker gets particularly upon his entrance, at time when the fans rarely if ever cheered the heels, from WM7 in 1991:

Flower Boy Ran Away

Playboy

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2009, 05:28:33 AM »
I liked the original taker with his original music the best. When he came to the ring it was like watching another episode of Halloween with Michael Meyers. The Deadman biker gimmick was a good fresh change but thats as far as it goes. Like Mass said, some of the things that happened sith the "higher power & crucifying Austin in the attitude era were memorable, but I felt he was lowered by "reporting to McMahon" as the higher power.

leonp1981

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2009, 09:10:23 AM »
I liked the Ministry 'Taker, that was cool, but for me, his current persona is the best.  He's taken aspects of all his previous characters and added a few new touches.  No one else has ever been able to change with the times like the Undertaker, he's never allowed himself to become stale, and his entrance is still the best in the industry.  HHH should take some pointers from Taker, instead of digging out DX again.

I know everyone goes on about Flair, but for me, when he decides to retire, the Undertaker will be the best of all time.

mass 04

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2009, 10:01:59 AM »
I liked the first one the best where he couldn't be hurt. He'd just sit up. The scary Undertaker. They were alll gereat I think except short haired heel Undertaker. But the best Undertaker is now. This striker act. Tombstone. Last Ride. Submission move. He's not affraid to fly and take ring dives. The Mania Streak. While JBL was still announcing he continually said it was the best the Undertaker ever looked and is still only getting better. If John Cena beats him at next years Mania I'm gonna smash the TV and throw it out the window!
I agree. His in ring work since he came back as kind of a hybrid character in 2004 is the best of his career. He's had awesome matches with Angle, Edge, Orton, JBL. No one will ever beat him at WM IMO.

mass 04

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2009, 10:24:11 AM »
I liked the original taker with his original music the best. When he came to the ring it was like watching another episode of Halloween with Michael Meyers. The Deadman biker gimmick was a good fresh change but thats as far as it goes. Like Mass said, some of the things that happened sith the "higher power & crucifying Austin in the attitude era were memorable, but I felt he was lowered by "reporting to McMahon" as the higher power.
I get you. I was at the RAW when he was revealed as the Higher Power. "It was me Austin." The crowd was pissed. I love JR'S 'son of a bitch" line lol



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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2009, 12:28:25 PM »

I'll bet anything Cena is gonna face him at next years Mania. God willing neither get injuries. It seems far away but it's really not. It's gonna be Wrestlemania time before we know it. Who else can Undertaker face besides Cena or HHH? It will be a rip off and the worst thing that could happen if Cena beat the streak. It would probably piss me off for the rest of my life.
I can see that happening. We never really had a high profile Cena vs Taker match.

mass 04

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2009, 01:09:11 PM »
There is only one guy i want to see him face at WM. A series of dark and mysterious vignettes for a few weeks, followed by the Undertaker cutting a promo after the Royal Rumble about his streak (in character) then the lights go out and Sting comes out, (preferably down from the rafters, but with the Owen accident, will never happen) and says that he's beaten the best WWE has to offer at WM, but he can never beat him. Setting up weeks of mindgames with each other leading up to an epic match. I have a better chance of being Ms. Bikini USA than this happening

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2009, 01:48:02 PM »
There is only one guy i want to see him face at WM. A series of dark and mysterious vignettes for a few weeks, followed by the Undertaker cutting a promo after the Royal Rumble about his streak (in character) then the lights go out and Sting comes out, (preferably down from the rafters, but with the Owen accident, will never happen) and says that he's beaten the best WWE has to offer at WM, but he can never beat him. Setting up weeks of mindgames with each other leading up to an epic match. I have a better chance of being Ms. Bikini USA than this happening
Thats a killer idea. Not bad.

Earl1972

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2009, 02:33:50 PM »
I get you. I was at the RAW when he was revealed as the Higher Power. "It was me Austin." The crowd was pissed. I love JR'S 'son of a bitch" line lol




i can't believe it's been 10 years, i remember when nitro started bischoff gave it away

damn i miss those days

E
E

mass 04

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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2009, 07:57:19 PM »
one of his first matches as 'Kane The Undertaker"


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Re: What is your favorite Undertaker "Persona"
« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2009, 04:51:20 AM »
I loved the time he put Warrior in that casket. No one in the crowd expected that. Some of the expressions were priceless. He manhandled Hellwig like a feather.