10 Things We Learned From Something Else To Wrestle With On Biker Undertaker
"Icon vs. Icon" almost meant something else...
In the 12 episodes they've done, Bruce Prichard and Conrad Thompson have subtly moved away from the totally uncensored nature of their usual "Something To Wrestle With" podcast. On the WWE Network-exclusive "Something Else To Wrestle With", they're still swearing and still doing their own thing, but it's definitely toned down a little from the first few shows.
It's shorter now too, and though length isn't necessarily a barometer of quality, it would be nice to see them deep dive on certain subjects or periods of a wrestler's career like they do on the usual audio show. That was the prevailing feeling on the latest episode looking at The Undertaker's biker phase: it could have been more.
Despite the brevity, there's enough of interest to keep the show motoring along. Refreshing honesty is a hallmark of the banter Thompson pulls out of Prichard, and the former WWE creative mind is willing to give credit to unsung heroes for 'Taker's rebirth as the "American Bad Ass".
Stories about Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Paul Heyman and The Undertaker himself will keep you hooked until the end. This is the tale of 'Taker's radical change, told by somebody who was there...
10. Vince Russo Played An Important Part In The Gimmick Change
Straight off the bat, Prichard gives credit to none other than Vince Russo for arguing his case of The Undertaker's need to change. That was unexpected, and it's refreshing to see Russo given due props for his vision for what 'Taker could evolve into.
Before he left the WWF for WCW in late-1999, Russo pitched an idea that would see the more traditional elements of The Undertaker character fade away in favour of Mark Calaway's real life love of motorcycle culture coming to the fore.
Prichard agreed with Russo, and he was pleased to hear that Vince McMahon was in favour too.
Part of Russo's reasoning for the pitch was his belief that WWF creative had done everything there was to do with The Undertaker as a character. In his mind, it was high time those coming up with storylines had something new to work with.