WWE: 10 Fascinating Backstage Facts About The Undertaker
10. Playing Politics Or Helping Hand?
Hulk Hogan and Triple H are regularly criticized for using political power with Vince McMahon to avoid doing jobs. Shawn Michaels was another one, famously telling Vince in the 90's that he wouldn't job to anybody. Someone else who informed Vince he wouldn't do jobs is Undertaker. The difference between Taker and those other backstage power players is that he has never really taken any heat for it perhaps the ultimate sign of his ability as a manipulative power player. Have you ever seen the Undertaker tap out? No. That's because Taker told Vince that any jobs he does can't involve him tapping out. One spot with Kurt Angle did see Taker tapping as he won a pin, but this was more of an angle than a loss it meant a draw. The Deadman has also been cited as someone who has held people back, for example John Cena. On the other side of the argument, it can be said that even in dominant victory we still see Taker elevating his opponent. I would specifically point out Taker's ladder match with Jeff Hardy in 2002. This match that made Hardy stronger despite losing when Taker came back to the ring after battering Hardy, the Deadman visually offered Jeff his respect. This meant far more than a win the story was told that Undertaker was hugely impressed with Hardy's toughness, and perceptions of Jeff changed following the respect spot (although this being Hardy he blew it and was gone from WWE a year later). The other blindingly obvious thing to comment on is The Streak. Can the 21-year undefeated run be seen as a sign of Taker's sway with Vince McMahon or a story-telling device that gives his opponent an elevated spot? The truth is a bit of both. In the early days of the streak, when it was natural, the likelihood is that Taker just didn't want to job on a big stage. Nowadays however, it has evolved into a sensation. Just getting the gig of working Taker at Mania is better than winning a title for many superstars.
