The inaugural battle in the war between Undertaker and Kane at WrestleMania XIV was an epic encounter that more than lived up to the truly legendary storytelling that had gotten those two Superstars to that point. As 1998 raged on, though, the matches between the brothers worsened a little more each time. The culmination of the first chapter of their rivalry occurred at Judgment Day in October 1998. Having both pinned Steve Austin one month earlier at Breakdown to alleviate him of the WWE Championship, the title was on the line as the evil and vindictive Vince McMahon looked to crown a new champion. With Austin as the special referee, the stage was set for a wild and chaotic title match that was sure to shake the foundation of WWE forever. Instead, what fans witnessed was a bout between an Undertaker nursing bumps, bruises and injuries working over the leg of his brother on the mat. Otherwise, it was a match full of the same slow, power-based offense that failed to elicit anything in the way of excitement from fans. In fact, it was not until Austin himself went ballistic late in the contest, unleashing Stunners and chair shots that the match came alive. By then, though, it was too late. Undertaker and Kane had dragged fans through another exercise in boredom, in a match that never did actually crown a new champion.
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.
