15 MORE Incredible WWE Attitude Era Moments Nobody Ever Talks About
4. The Undertaker Shows His Submission Skills
Speaking of 'Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy'! It was he who handed The Undertaker a path out of humdrum, zombie-like matches. Mick's Mankind gimmick was one of the first to show a new side of 'Taker by quickening the pace and giving him a monstrous target who could actually move/work with him. Think of Mankind as a late-in-the-day apology for Giant Gonzalez.
Undertaker's style did quicken from 1996 onwards, but he still worked a strike and power move-based WWF main event style for the most part. Then, Backlash 1999 hit the pay-per-view schedules and 'Taker saw himself paired with Ken Shamrock. This represented another opportunity for 'The Deadman' to show what he could do in-ring.
Look, "incredible" doesn't necessarily equate great, and the fans in attendance did chant "boooooring" at this one on occasion, but it showed a fresh side of an old act. Backlash '99 was one of the first times people got to see ‘Taker showing off some technical skills, including submission reversals and the like.
That introduced a different dynamic to his game. Peeps didn’t know then that he was an avid MMA fan, so it would’ve been a personal thrill for Undertaker to mix it with an old UFC favourite like Shamrock. It's also cool that Ken got to do this before departing the promotion later in the year - he couldn't leave without locking horns with a stalwart.
You won't see this bout placed on any 'best of' lists analysing The Undertaker's extraordinary career. There's a reason for that. It wasn't silky smooth from beginning to end, but it was a breath of fresh air for 'Taker.