When The Undertaker returned after a short hiatus in January 1999, he did with a new look and attitude. Adopting a goatee that resembled that of Satan and labeling himself the Lord of Darkness, he was darker and more twisted than ever. No longer the honorable Deadman he once was, he partook in some heinous activities, including the attempted embalming of the still very much alive "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, the sacrificing of Mideon and the abduction and attempted marriage to Stephanie McMahon. He was vile, vicious and ruthless, attempting to obtain complete control of WWE by stalking the people Vince McMahon cared most about. He went to the home of the Chairman, burned an Undertaker symbol in the boss' front yard and threatened the safety of his family. It was a complete shift in the tone of the character. While the Deadman made a career of playing mind games with his opponents, the leader of the Ministry of Darkness made threats and, more times than not, followed up on them. Though his reign of terror last just under a year, it was one that fueled WWE programming at the height of the Attitude Era.
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.