7 Worst Wrestling Mini-Movies
6. Search For The Undertaker
Switching trenches, let’s fast-forward to the summer of ’94 and the WWF’s “Search for The Undertaker”.
Having supernaturally ascended to the heaven’s after defeat to Yokozuna at the Royal Rumble earlier that year, the resident conscience of WWF was conspicuous by his absence for a large portion of 1994. Taking an extended break from the sport, Taker even missed that year’s big WrestleMania X pay-per-view event from Madison Square Garden. At a time where star power was a little thin on top, the absence of The Undertaker was a big deal...which made it all the more puzzling to include “Naked Gun” legend, Leslie Neilson, as the trailing private eye comically on the hunt for the absent “Deadman”.
Neilson was placed in a number of comedic situations as he investigated the disappearance, channelling his Frank Drebbin character from the Naked Gun movies and Police Squad series. Coinciding with the release of Naked Gun 33 1/3 that summer, the “Search for The Undertaker” saga even included an appearance from Neilson’s Naked Gun co-star, George Kennedy; further hammering home the crossover and proving once again that WWE has long been a fan of cross-promoting movies.
While Neilson’s comic timing and familiarity in the role of bumbling detective made the feature quite entertaining at times, the goofy antics and tongue-in-cheek presentation made for a stark contrast to the dark, sinister character of The Undertaker. As good a Neilson was, it just didn’t seem right when tied into the legend of the ultra-serious Undertaker.
Amongst other things, the multi-part mini-movie placed Taker’s character in a number of demeaning positions; including playing the role of pizza delivery guy for the oblivious Neilson during his search. The whole thing was drastically out of character for The Undertaker and it’s hard to imagine WWE doing anything close to this today.
The investigation would conclude at SummerSlam with an in-ring appearance for the Naked Gun duo and ultimately culminate in the reappearance of “The Phenom” for the main event against doppelganger, “The Underfaker” Brian Lee.
I am serious...and don’t call me Shirley.