10 INSANE WWE International Incidents

8. Vader Goes Apesh*t

Can I Borrow A Feeling
WWE.com

Vader, as a vanguard of the old school, protected kayfabe with the same fierceness with which he destroyed his hapless babyface opponents. Doing the televised promotional rounds in Kuwait in 1997, the Mastodon, alongside the Undertaker, was asked the dreaded question:

Is wrestling “fake”?

‘Taker, similarly principled, was calm, if miffed, in response. He drew a sharp intake of breath, and offered the mandated PR response without losing his cool. Vader stewed. The interviewer attempted to steer the conversation on a different path, but Vader was reluctant to travel it. He wanted to backtrack. He wanted his chance to answer the question, and he did so having worked himself into a state of agitation.

“I’m not quite so diplomatic,” Vader said, seconds before launching himself at the TV host. Sid wasn’t the only guy who sh*t himself in ‘Taker’s presence in ’97; Vader grabbed the man by the scruff of the neck and shouted “Does that f*cking feel fake huh? Does it?”

Detained in Kuwait for two weeks, Vader, master worker, performed his professional duties even at his most unprofessional: “Why don’t you come down tonight, and before I kick his ass,” Vader said, pointing to ‘Taker, “I’ll kick your ass.”

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!