12 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 2003
10. Undertaker’s Summer Feud With FBI Was Odd
If you're tasked with remembering anything from The Undertaker's 2003, then you might recall his mediocre WrestleMania XIX handicap match vs. A-Train and Big Show. That was meant to include rough around the edges newbie Nathan Jones, but WWE management decided he wasn't ready for such a spot and deleted him from the lineup. Others might remember 'Taker's on/off rivalry with a young John Cena instead.
Not many say: 'How about that FBI story? That was awesome!'.
It happened though. Nunzio, Chuck Palumbo and Johnny Stamboli combined to take the fight to 'The Deadman' all the way through the summer. This saw Undertaker team with Brock Lesnar on a bunch of house shows in 2v3 handicap bouts. On SmackDown, 'Taker handily fought off the trio on his own, at least in singles matches that didn't leave a lasting impression on fans.
WWE chose not to put any of this on pay-per-view. When Undertaker wasn't warring with some Full Blooded Italians (one of the oddest ECW repackage jobs ever, by the way), then he was tangling with Cena at Vengeance or A-Train at SummerSlam. Apparently, someone thought Palumbo vs. 'Taker wouldn't cut it on the biggest party of the summer. What a bunch of spoilsports.
What's that? Yeah, they were absolutely right, but still! Nunzio and pals were robbed of some pay-per-view payoffs so 'Taker could joust with the 9.30am TransPennine Express to Berwick-Upon-Tweed instead. Tune in next week when he fights with an actual bus instead of A-Train.
Toot toot. Honestly, The Undertaker's '03 was scattier than Brian Hebner's beatboxing.