7. The James Mitchell Saga
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0MrRlscznw For years, Abyss' career was closely intertwined with that of with Father James Mitchell. Mitchell, for the uninitiated, was basically a discount Paul Bearer that was even more cartoonishly evil; dude had curled-up eyebrows! Initially, he'd simply cackle ominously while Abyss beat guys up, but eventually it began to appear that he was the real monster, and Abyss himself was reluctant to destroy. And that's where the wheels fell off. It was revealed that Mitchell wasn't controlling Abyss with any kind of supernatural totem; rather, he was using blackmail. Blackmail involving gunplay, family drama, and amnesia. It turned out that Abyss' mother had shot his father and that Abyss had taken the blame. Mitchell would reveal this to the world if Abyss did not do his bidding, despite the fact that they had this conversation on national television. Mitchell would then reveal an additional secret: HE had been the father/gunshot victim all along! This was less high drama than the Family Guy gag about the man that was secretly a woman that was secretly a horse that was secretly a broom. It also lead directly to the next best-forgotten chapter of the Monster's life . . .