1994 was a curious year for WWE - the promotion started to show really noticeable cracks in the formula which had previously been so successful, and things would only get worse in 1995. More on that later, but the company were determined to start things off with a bang in '94, and The Undertaker challenging Yokozuna for the Heavyweight Title at the Royal Rumble in a Casket Match was one of the marquee bouts. Babyface Undertaker, during the era he was effectively playing an undead zombie, is a weird one to look back on, but it's true that fans were heavily into the character, and really wanted him to win. Yokozuna was a decent heel champion, but most considered this the match during which 'Taker would win the belt and have a lengthy run with the title. Every heel under the sun, including names such as Crush, Bam Bam Bigelow, Diesel and even The Great Kabuki interfered, helping Yokozuna win the match, before The Undertaker cut a promo on the big screen, warning that he'd be back for revenge. It was all very dramatic, but quite the devastating loss for 'Taker, who clearly needed some different, more agile opponents to wrestle.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
