Vince McMahon DEMANDED This Ex-WWE Wrestler Pin The Undertaker

The Undertaker didn't challenge Vince McMahon's booking - this ex-WWE star was surprised.

by Jamie Kennedy
The Undertaker Matt Hardy
WWE

Matt Hardy told listeners tuning into his new podcast that Vince McMahon was particularly keen to put him over The Undertaker back in 2002.

'Taker argued his corner and said the focus should be on his ongoing feud with Brock Lesnar. Vince said that was all well and good, but that they shouldn't miss out of the chance to put a little shine on Matt either. The boss was high on Hardy's 'Version 1' gimmick at the time.

For reference, Matt worked a 'Falls Count Anywhere' brawl opposite the 'Deadman' on the 3 October '02 episode of SmackDown. That match was taped two nights earlier on 1 October, and it was a huge deal to Hardy personally.

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He was particularly pleased to stand and watch McMahon "going to bat for [him]" in front of a legend like 'Taker. That had to feel good. Though Vince agreed that The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar was a focal point, he didn't think it was wise to squash Matt's chances of getting over as a main event heel flat.

Hardy said on the pod that McMahon was very insistent about him winning.

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Contributor

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.