That Time The Undertaker ALMOST Walked Out On WWE
Speaking to Ariel Helwani earlier this year, the Undertaker revealed that he did in fact hold an interest in going to WCW.
In 1996, swayed by Kevin Nash, who it can be inferred tapped him up, 'Taker flirted with the idea of doing more "cutting edge" stuff akin to Nash's work in the New World Order. Recognising the hypocrisy, he felt that the WWF at the time was plagued by "these ridiculous characters", bemoaning how "kid-driven" "stale" and "behind the times" the promotion was in its New Generation era. 'Taker revealed that he was tempted by WCW, and had the opportunity to go, but ultimately made the decision to stay. He timed it rather well. With one almighty assist from Mick Foley, 'Taker resurrected his career that same year.
He evolved from a lurching zombie to one of the best and most dynamic rope-runners in the history of the business, finally harnessing his supernatural character into the context of a great match in the phenomenal inaugural Hell In A Cell bout. That version of the Undertaker was frightening in the most thrilling way imaginable. 'Taker was less good in the Attitude Era, and indeed seemed very selfish and defensive throughout 2000, but he was selectively incredible when the mainstream boom quietened down. It wasn't just the Streak, either, though his patient and ambitious character work at WrestleMania, from unbeatable monster to mere mortal who just narrowly survived, was incredibly well-plotted throughout. He tore it up with Kurt Angle in an awesome war at No Way Out 2006, was magic against Edge and Batista every single time, and in 2007 entered what might be the best performance in the history of the Royal Rumble. Subjectively, the storytelling on TV was naff - to an excruciating extent - but as a big match worker, his peaks were as high as anybodys.
He was the most set-for-life guy ever, or so it seemed. He was synonymous with WWE, demolished all sorts of records, stayed there for three decades, and was possibly, through his longevity, the first person many people thought of when they thought about WWE. The thing is, there was little for him to do after his in-ring run. His mythical character prevented him from, for example, being an authority figure. Christ, imagine that. 'Taker backstage trying to settle a squabble between two wrestlers. He'd look bored witless.
He also couldn't exactly be a commentator; he's not the most verbose of people, and what insight could he add from his in-ring background?
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