10 Times WWE Had A BLACKOUT
3. The Undertaker Summons The Darkness And Brings Back The Light (SummerSlam 1993)
Now a legendary and vital part of the company's immaculate presentation of The Undertaker, there was a time before it became the norm where nobody considered turning off the lights as 'The Deadman' entered.
An instant hit, the gimmick came along at a useful time for the company. Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior weren't long for the organisation, and were both selected to work with The Undertaker before his 1992 babyface turn. At this point, his frightening indestructibility became more of an awe-inspiring mystique, designed not to frighten fans but the opponents stupid enough to step into his world.
Plunging the arena into darkness was the perfect representation of this, as evidenced by the first pay-per-view that featured the trick. He entered alone for his SummerSlam 1993 'Rest In Peace' match with Giant Gonzalez, with the story calling for Paul Bearer to return later in the bout. Gonzalez' manager had Bearer's sacred urn too, but this demonstration of his powers helped the character ascend beyond such crutches.
Vince McMahon's astonishment (and Bobby Heenan immediately bailing under the table with a "see ya!") on commentary only enhanced the aesthetic.