10 Wrestling Storylines That Were Much Darker Than You Think

8. The Undertaker Vs. Big Show

Rob Van Dam Steve Austin
WWE.com

Can you even remember the Big Show and the Undertaker's 2003 feud?

If you do, it's likely you remember it primarily as the failed vehicle of Nathan Jones' push. But what drew 'Taker to a convict? What did they have in common?

Well...

The two were frequently programmed together to no lasting effect. They never created anything particularly good together; indeed, when you put their names side by side, the first thing you're likely to remember is that time 'Taker told the story of taking Show into the desert as a test of his ability to survive. One of the most tedious monologues in WWE history, it was a punishingly dull speech so boring that it makes Roman Reigns sound like Roy Batty.

In 2003, in a further, pretend bid to request "forgiveness" from the Undertaker - whom he had thrown off the stage, and was out for vengeance - Show revealed his latest taunt. He had asked Kanyon to serenade 'Taker with a rendition of Culture Club's 'Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?'

This was disgusting. The idea was reprehensible; Show wanted to annoy the Undertaker, and this idea was basically "You hate gay stuff, don't you? Who wouldn't! Have this, Dead Man!"

This led to 'Taker, with a brutal unprotected chair shot even by his unprofessional standards, ostensibly committing a hate crime on national television.

And he was the babyface. Caving in the skull of a homosexual man was designed to draw a pop.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!