The 1994 Royal Rumble was a show headlined by two huge main events. The first was the traditional over-the-top-rope battle royal that shares the same name as the event. The second? A Casket match for the WWE Championship pitting The Undertaker against the seemingly unbeatable Yokozuna for the most prestigious prize in the industry. In the weeks leading into the event, the company produced several vignettes featured the Phenom building "double deep, double wide" casket for his opponent, who had expressed a fear of the burial containers. Of course, the devious Mr. Fuji, manager of the champion, had a backup plan in the form of ten heels that would rush the ring and assist Yokozuna in defeating Undertaker, stuffing him in the casket and locking it shut. Together, they wheeled it up the aisle, celebrating their triumph, when a green smoke began to pour from underneath. The heels backed off and watched as a view from inside the casket focused on an unconscious Undertaker. Then his head turned, his eyes shot open and the Dead Man addressed both his attackers and the viewing audience.
Be not proud. The spirit of the Undertaker lives within the soul of all mankind. The eternal flame of life that cannot be extinguished, the origin of which cannot be explained, the answer lies in the everlasting spirit. Soon all mankind will witness the rebirth of the Undertaker. I will not rest in peace.
The color drained from the picture and a zap of electricity struck the outline of the Undertaker. Suddenly, he came off of the screen, ascending to the heavens in one of the most bizarre, absurd-yet-creepy moments in the history of WWE programming. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usnJiySPYXg It was a moment that, to children, was as scary as anything they had ever seen and the first real hint of the supernatural power that the character possessed. Of course, to the rest of the audience, it was cheap parlor tricks, but who's counting?
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
