1. The Dead Man Rises. From a Video Screen. (Yes, Really) - 1994
The Undertaker is the most enduring and respected character in the history of professional wrestling, and with good reason. The man behind the character, Mark Calaway, devoted his entire career to preserving the mystique and aura surrounding it. WWE cooperated, never putting the Deadman in jeopardy of being exposed the way other gimmicks of that time had been. All both parties asked was that fans suspend their disbelief. If they could do that, all would be well and everyone would have a good time. With that said, there have been a handful of times that have required fans to suspend disbelief more than others. Most of the time, though stretching it, WWE Creative has convinced fans to take that leap of faith. There was one instance, however, that was far too over-the-top for even the most faithful and loyal of Undertaker and WWE fans to accept. At the 1994 Royal Rumble, Undertaker was defeated in a Casket match by then-WWE champion Yokozuna after ten of the top heels in the company banded together to stuff him inside his own handmade casket and wheeled him up the aisle way. Half way there, the lights dimmed, the familiar gong sounded and a camera apparently inside the casket shot a closeup of the unconscious Undertaker. Follow that so far? Then his eyes opened and he addressed both his attackers and the fans that would go on to become known as the "Creatures of the Knight." "Fear not, for the spirit of The Undertaker lives in the soul of all mankind," he began. The promo that followed was deep, Bible deep, and ended with him vowing not to rest in peace. Then it happened. Electricity flowed through the images displayed on the giant video screen and an explosion of some sort occurred. Then, in one of the most unbelievably corny and downright ridiculous moments in the history of sports-entertainment, The Undertaker rose from out of the screen and into the heavens above. DESPITE STILL BEING TRAPPED IN THE CASKET! It was a moment that did not stretch the limits of stupidity and nonsense, it obliterated them. As a youngster, this writer regularly rented and replayed the 1994 show and at the time, this was one of the coolest things I had ever seen. That I was an Undertaker fan and loved the whole supernatural element to his character did not hurt matters. And even today, I can totally seen why I thought it was awesome. But then I put my big boy pants on and recognize it for what it is: a brain fart that never should have stank up the WWE airwaves.
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.
