I’ve added to the site a brand new poll to see who seems the most likely. I’ve taken names mentioned all around the internet as possible culprits, some of them funny, some of them quite serious. Here’s the shortlist of names with the (so far) biggest motives.

The NXT Rookies: A very popular theory right now and the one I too believe to be responsible. They made one hell of a statement on RAW last week as they took out RAW’s top dog, John Cena. Question is did they take out Smackdowns Top Dog first? I’m thinking yes! But what would they have to gain from this move besides a future feud with the gloomy Kane? Well, it would certainly get their names in the history books!

Triple H: I’m not 100% sure WHY his name is being thrown around so much, I’ve just seen it a lot. They have a storied past and as perhaps the two biggest names in the sport they have a score left to settle. Could it be?

Kane: Many of you think the rampage Kane is on is just a bluff, that he’s the one responsible for The Undertakers state. What would this attack and rampage achieve aside from another feud with his brother that we’ve already seen done? I’m not sure. It almost seems too obvious to me.

Lay-Cool: The option that’s made me laugh the most and would be a fantastic comedy relief choice. At least let Kane interrogate them! Their motive? ‘Taker was about to call things off with Michelle so she and Layla quickly put him on the shelf so as not to lose their meal ticket! oooooh, harsh! But funny neverthless. Oh come on, if you cant laugh at yourselves and your stereotypes then you’re in the wrong place.

Vince McMahon: Vince and The Undertaker have always had a very strained relationship, they’ve never quite seen eye to eye but have always had their business bond between them, keeping them going. Has Vince finally grown tired of the fanfare that goes with The Deadman? Is he ready to kill his creation? After all, Vince is responsible for the Phenom we know today. He made him, will he end him?

Professor Plum in the study with a Candlestick: lol

Other: Thinking outside of the box, who else could it be? Throw your ideas into a comment!

WWE.com are doing their lists again and this time it’s the Top 25 ‘Big Men’ in WWE history. You’ll never guess where our favorite big guy placed!

Funnily enough when it comes to The Undertaker the word Bizarre is pretty synonymous! It would seem as though WWE.com agrees with their latest feature; The Top 25 Most Bizarre matches!. Check it out, you’ll never guess who made the list!

I first became acquainted with Mark Calaway when he came to Memphis from Texas in the late 80’s under the name, the Master of Pain. Prior to that, he had been working under a mask in Texas going by the name of The Punisher. I jokingly asked him once who was he punishing? His opponent or the fans? Mark, at first, did not understood nor did he appreciate my dry sense of humor but later on, he warmed up to it.

By the time Mark arrived in Memphis, in 1989, the glory years of the territory were over. The reason wasn’t due to mismanagement, bad booking or lack of talent. Memphis wasn’t the only territory that was suffering. All of them were due to one man, Vince McMahon. Vince had already been hard at work for several years expanding his WWF into a national brand. It was hard for the territorial system to compete due to Vince having signed all the top stars to lucrative contracts. That left huge holes in territories that now had to rely on secondary talent and talent that quite frankly, was just not ready. It was hard to replace a top draw like Junk Yard Dog in Louisiana, Dusty Rhodes in Florida, Kerry von Erich in Texas, Jimmy Hart in Memphis or Ted Dibiase in the Mid-South. Vince lured them away and nobody could blame them, not even the promoters they jilted at the altar. Everybody knew that wrestling was a business with a very narrow window of time in which to make money.

But the main reason the system was dying was because Vince had taken over the local TV time slots that territories had based their business on for years. Now, thanks to Vince, the territories had no local presence and in many instances, the promotion died 10 minutes after they lost TV. Also Vince had started paying local TV stations to run his WWF show much like an infomercial. Long story made short…Vince McMahon spent money to make money.

When I first became acquainted with Mark, he was the complete opposite of what he is today. His hair was cropped short and he had no tattoos. When I first laid eyes on him, he actually looked too clean cut to be a wrestler. Today, he is a walking tat advert. He turned out to be a great guy and for a man his size, he moved like silk.

At first glance, Mark had all the physical tools to succeed in the pro wrestling business. He had the size, the look and the raw talent to be a HUGE star. His next hurdle he would face would be to decide if he possessed the temperament to succeed. Over the next several months, I got to know Mark Calaway’s temperament very well and he passed the test.

Mark’s story was that he was trained somewhat haphazardly, by Buzz Sawyer in the Dallas area around 87/88 but according to Mark, Buzz was never around long enough to do much training. When Mark got to Memphis, he and I traveled together every day and he probably got more training from just talking to me on the ride back home every night, than he could have ever gotten from Buzz. Mark had paid Buzz to train him and I was doing most of it without pay. On Mark’s request, I would watch his match every night and on the way home after the matches, I would dissect his match move by move and and tell him what was good and what was bad. Mark’s matches were, from the beginning fundamentally sound. All Mark needed at this point was seasoning.

Critiquing Mark, on the way back home one night, was when I first realized I had come full circle in this business. This was exactly the very same way I had learned the wrestling business back when I first broke in. Making long road trips back home after the show with the veterans was, by far, the best teaching tool in the world for a wrestling newbie. The night would fly by as the veteran discussed my performance earlier that night. I can’t tell you how those discussions helped me. It was instant feedback and instant correction. To Mark’s credit, he listened, he learned and he advanced his wrestling knowledge which still benefits him to this day.

The key to learning wrestling is that a wrestler needs to learn the CORRECT way early in his career. If mistakes aren’t caught early, bad habits are hard to break. Before Vince killed all the territories that had served as unpaid training centers for him, the WWF had a steady supply of candidates for their roster. After the territories were gone, Vince suddenly realized that he had killed his golden goose therefore ushering in the era of developmental leagues.

Mark and I didn’t know it but every trip we made, it was akin to a developmental class, only more fun. Plus on the way home, we could drink. If I had known what was really going on in the wrestling business, I would have personally pitched the idea for a developmental league to Vince. That was what I was doing with Mark but without any money exchanging hands.

Business was slow in Memphis, as it was all over the country at the time in 1989. Fans weren’t talking Memphis, they were all talking WWF/WCW. There were still just a few territories left, like Texas and Continental, but they were struggling to even pay their bills and it was only a matter of time before they folded. Even Stevie Wonder could see that it was a futile battle.

In essence, Mark barely made it into the wrestling business with enough time to learn the business before every one of the territories folded up like a revival tent. If Mark hadn’t come to Memphis when he did, there is a possibility that the Undertaker that we know today, might not have existed. In wrestling, it’s all timing and being in the right place at the right time. With the smaller territorial promotions dying the death of rabid dog, WWF and WCW became the only viable options for a wrestler to make money. For them to take a chance on a complete newcomer, without experience, wasn’t happening.

As we were talking one day during a trip, Mark asked me what I thought his chances were of landing a spot in either one of the two companies. I told him that he had a good chance with both but I thought he might have the better odds of landing a spot with WCW. I know Mark wanted me to say WWF but Mark wasn’t ready for WWF. Why? I knew there were too many egos at the time in WWF and if thrown into that environment, he ran the risk of being lost in the shuffle. Also Mark would have an easier time navigating the politics in WCW than WWF. When I told him my reasons for choosing WCW, he didn’t say anything but I could see that he was dwelling on the advice that I had given him.

A couple of days later, as we were riding back from where we had just wrestled, he asked me a question. He wanted to know if I could help him get into WCW? At least, he had listened to my advice I had given him a few days earlier. I responded by saying that I would make a couple of calls for him the next day but all I could do was pitch the idea. He thanked me for helping him and said that he didn’t want to appear ungrateful. He also thanked me for all I’d done for him and I appreciated that. I told him that the desire to improve one’s career could not be considered ungrateful.

As I was thinking back, I remembered the things the veterans I traveled with used to tell me. They used to tell me that when I thought I was ready to move up, as Mark had just done, all I had to do was let them know, and they would make a phone call and I could be booked in Texas or California or Florida in two weeks.

When they first told me that, I thought they were kidding me. No business works like that I thought. Being able to move and get a job like that I thought was impossible. But the wrestling business made it possible. All it took was one veteran putting in a good word for you, and if there was an opening, you were in. That to me was the greatest thing I had ever heard. That was what made wrestling so appealing to me. Freedom. That meant I wouldn’t be tied to a job that I most likely would hate or punching a clock. That was when I first realized that wrestlers were glorified nomads. We lived a life of nomadic existence and, in ways, we were all migrant workers that migrated south in the winter and north in the summer only that we made more money and had to only work 15 minutes a night. We were all wanderers driving up and down the highways and loving every minute of it. It was a feeling of complete freedom and I loved it. Sadly to say, that freedom doesn’t exist today. For a young man who wasn’t saddled with a wife or family, the lifestyle was perfect.

Back when I started, there was no lack of work or places to work. In reality, when I broke in, there were something like 30 different companies to work for and you could spend a year in each territory and still, you couldn’t make them all. You’d be too old. When I started, you had a career. Unfortunately, when Mark and his generation came along, forget the career part and give a guy a deck of cards and some dice to roll. The odds of hitting a 7/11 on the first roll were better than making it in the wrestling business. It was a gamble.

The number of places that a wrestler could work and make a living had plummeted from 30 in the early 70’s to two or three in the early 90’s. The business model was shot. It was either WWF or WCW, pick your poison. Sad but true. I could go on and on about how the freedom I felt when I started, now resembled more like a heavy choke chain around the neck of every wrestler.

As we got back that night from the show, Mark reminded me about the call that I had promised to make for him. I told Mark not to worry. I always do what I say I’ll do.

Around 2PM the next day, I phoned my friend, Jimmy Cornette, who was in a creative position in Atlanta for WCW and spoke with him about Mark. That was the way the old territorial system worked. Bookers in one territory stayed in touch with the bookers of the adjoining territories. Bookers used to work together to keep the talent working and fresh. Jimmy and I had a relationship going back to when Jimmy first started managing. I was the first guy he ever managed. I’ve always loved Jimmy Cornette as I held him in high regard for not only being the funniest guy in wrestling but also one who understood exactly what it took to succeed in this crazy ass business. Plus he’s one crazy MF’er.

As Jimmy went on about the goings on in Atlanta and Jim Herd, one of his favorite subjects, Mark’s immediate future lay in my hands. I knew that I had to sell Mark to Jimmy fast and it was all in the presentation. I told Jimmy, I had this kid who was 6′10″ that I thought could help WCW. I endorsed Mark like the second coming and told Jimmy that there was nothing the kid couldn’t do.

On the other end, I sensed that Jimmy’s interest was piqued and couldn’t quite figure out why because he had never seen or even heard of Mark before. He accepted my endorsement that the kid was going to be great, sight unseen and asked me could the kid start next week? That surprised me. I thought I had just presented the greatest pitch in the history of wrestling and Jimmy bit on it. I felt glad that Jimmy trusted my judgement. Wow, that damn sure was easy. Or so I thought.

Little did I know but Lady Luck was smiling on Mark that day and my timing in calling Jimmy couldn’t have been more perfect!! Unknown to me at the time was that Sid Vicious, who was one half of the SkyScrapers tag team with Dan Spivey in WCW, had just gone down with an injury and WCW needed a big man to fill the spot vacated by Sid. QUICK.

Timing is everything in this business, as well as in life, and it was perfect timing for Mark. I called on Thursday. Mark started in WCW on Monday with Jimmy and the rest of creative never having seen Mark or even a photo of him.
I’ll never forget when Mark walked through my door right after I had talked to Jimmy and I proudly said, “well kid, you wanted to go to WCW, well be careful what you wish for. You just might get it.” I then told Mark that he was booked and he was booked next Monday. Mark was never an overly excitable person but that day, he showed emotion.

I got Mark on the phone with Jimmy so that they could coordinate their plans and that was it. Quick, concise and to the point. I liked doing business that way.

As history would have it, Mark Calaway morphed in Mean Mark Callous in WCW and then when Vince McMahon laid eyes on him and signed him for WWF, he morphed for the final time into the Undertaker. The rest is history.

When I first laid eyes on Mark Calaway at the Nashville Fairgrounds Arena, his dream was to someday be in the WWF and booked on WrestleMania. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would be on 17 WrestleManias without a loss. Undertaker, is a shoo in for the WWF Hall of Fame and it’s an honor to have known him in his early days. Great guy but he cheats at basketball. Bastard.

I got a ton of UnderTaker stories that I will save for my book including one where we were pulled over in Kentucky by the Ky. Highway Patrol at GUNPOINT!!! Needless to say, it was a night that I’ll never forget nor will the Undertaker.

NEWARK, N.J. – Out of the ominous fury of the Devil’s Playground, destiny struck with a vengeance. After colliding with World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk in the demented Hell in a Cell structure at the pay-per-view of the same name, The Undertaker emerged victorious, claiming his seventh World Championship amid a grueling mixture of aggression, mayhem and unforgiving steel.  Match photos

Hell in a Cell has often been regarded by many in the WWE Universe as The Deadman’s personal realm of horror. And in an epic battle of mutual mass destruction, the legendary Superstar ultimately reigned supreme, unleashing his wrath of darkness upon the war torn Punk. From the opening bell, the entire Prudential Center was glued the edge of their seats as each moment of the monumental clash proved more intense than the brutality that had come before it. Then, just when it looked like neither warrior could take anymore, The Straightedge Champion’s optimistic hopes of triumph quickly turned to nightmares as The Phenom suddenly blasted him with an earth-shattering Tombstone, putting the final nail in the coffin of Punk’s reign. For the first time, The World Heavyweight Championship has changed hands inside the Cell. It’s only fitting that such a precedent would be set by The Demon of Death Valley with his most devastating weapon.

Just weeks earlier at WWE Breaking Point, the two Superstars stood at the center of one of the most shocking controversies in the history of the World Title. Just when it looked like The Undertaker had dethroned CM Punk by utilizing the much-feared submission maneuver Hell’s Gate, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long came forth to instruct referee Scott Armstrong to restart the match, calling the hold illegal. Punk soon locked The Undertaker in the Anaconda Vise. Although The Phenom clearly did not tap out, Armstrong quickly called for the bell, signaling The Undertaker had indeed submitted. The decision stunned not only The Deadman, but sent shockwaves through the entire WWE.

Five days later on SmackDown, Long admitted to a “pre-planned conspiracy” involving himself, Armstrong and Punk to prevent The Undertaker from becoming World Champion.

Earlier that night, Mr. McMahon had instructed Teddy on what to say regarding the controversy, and what might happen if he doesn’t say the “right” thing. But, The Chairman wasn’t the only one who wanted to have a word with Teddy. Before the night ended, The Deadman would take Teddy on a limo ride to hell.

It wasn’t until the following week’s SmackDown that Long was heard from again – when he was found bound and gagged in a coffin! After being freed by CM Punk, Long revealed that Punk would face The Undertaker at Hell in a Cell – and that Hell’s Gate would now be legal. Punk found a way to escape The Deadman’s wrath by defeating him by count-out in a match later that same night. However, he would soon discover that there would be nowhere to hide once he was trapped inside the 20-foot high, five ton, steel structure  at WWE’s newest pay-per-view, Hell in a Cell.

The Undertaker secured his retribution in a structure as legendary as the championship gold he now carries. And despite a championship showing, CM Punk walked out of Newark without his title, suffering the full-force of The Deadman’s rage. Will the self-proclaimed “Second City Saint” ever be the same again?

You can view a gallery of photos from Smackdown’s tour of Europe by visiting this link! Included are some brand new and quite artsy pictures of The Undertaker. Also on WWE.com there is an article up delving into the history of the Hell in a Cell match. Of course, it wouldnt be HIAC if it was for The Undertaker!

I’m also going to offer up a little food for thought here and now. After hearing the bazillionth ‘retirement’ rumor a handful of weeks ago I have been watching The Undertaker very closely in both his televised matches and on fan taken footage during this current tour of Spain and France. I saw him live earlier in the year and can tell you he seemed in pretty bad shape then. A definite limp to his walk. Now? Nothing. He’s walking.. running.. just fine. A friend of mine attended the Smackdown taping and told me he actually bolted from the ring, up the ramp, to drag Punk back and didnt look in the remotest bit phased.

I know many might say he is simply gutting it out but I’d like to add this in. I’ve been a fan of his 20 years. I can honestly say I havent seen him move this well since the late 90’s. I’d say the surgery was a success, you cant fake it for a whole tour!

I found WWE’s article on the so-called screw-job # 2 rather well-written, clearly in Taker’s favour and questioning the tactics adopted by Long and the referee. I will post it here for your reference.

From WWE.com:

WWE.com have posted a preview article for the upcoming Pay Per View Match and it paints quite an intense picture. This match should certainly be one to watch! You can read the article here.

Paul Heyman discusses the logic behind Undertaker’s attack on CM Punk at the end of SummerSlam.

From Heyman Hustle

WWE in promoting upcoming horror flick ‘The Final Destination’ have decided to list their top ‘Finale’ matches of all time. Making the quite short list are no less than three of The Undertakers historical matches. How fitting that their spookiest superstar should help promote this frightfest. Incidentally, I cant wait.

Read the article here.