The peak version of the Undertaker. He was absolutely insane. I’ll never forget when he tried to sacrifice Stone Cold for a second time and stone cold reversed him, seeing Undertaker hanging on his own symbol laughing at everyone was an incredible moment 😮💨
Ministry Taker will forever be my favorite incarnation of the Undertaker character! The hooded cloak, the sacrifices, the throne, the goatee, the music, the entrance, the symbol..... what a time to be alive!!!!
We truly need an inside sit down of The undertaker and Shawn Michaels reliving their turbulent beginning in wwf to their respective relationship current day. Bad ass episode!
ILL SAY IT AGAIN, I WAITED 30 YEARS to hear TAKER say more than REST IN PEACE, there will be NOTHING that man says that won't have me listening THIS IS THE LONGER TAKER PROMO and I LOVE IT
*Lights go out and the Ministry music hits* Undertaker: "Accept the Lord of Darkness as your saviour..." *Blue lights come on* Undertaker: "Try new BlueChew! Chew it and do it!"
The Undertaker vs Mankind matches from 1996, the Kane story, the Taker/Shawn matches of 1997, the Mankind HIAC, and then the Ministry of Darkness. What an iconic few years that cemented his legacy. The GOAT - it’s one thing to be the face of an era but it’s another thing to be a face on the poster of every major era of pro wrestling. Every generation has their own version of the Undertaker.
It’s a little bit more…”corporate” and clean, but WWE has a video of Taker and Mick watching KOTR ‘98. It’s about what you’d expect given that it’s an “official” video, but it’s still good to see the two of them interacting.
Ministry Taker will forever go down for me as the most what if character in WWE history. The concept of a demonic cult leader with evil intentions such as human sacrifice and dark rituals is something that I wish WWE would have done more with. You keep growing the ministry and have a demonic and dark type faction with the deadman himself at the helm. Too bad Vince ruined it. Still my favorite version of Taker
Taker was at his peak here. He was massive from a muscularity aspect, that heavy metal funeral dirge theme was bad ass. The hair and goatee made him look like Lucifer. I LOVED this version of the Undertaker by a wide margin.
Agreed! Taker looked so sadistic from like late 1998 to mid 1999 and I absolutely loved his themes (Dark Side/Ministry). I would rewind my VHS just to listen to the theme before I got the entrance themes on CD. 😅
At one point, Shawn wanted to jump ship, but Vince prevented that by ensuring his contract wouldn't expire and paid him a minimum of 100,000 dollars to stay home. Mark was the only one who didn't entertain the thought of going to WCW, considering how much of a trainwreck it was then, and Hogan would have been looking for his win back as soon as Mark would have walked through the door in some shitty angle that would have buried him.
Ministry Undertaker is my favourite iteration of the character. As a 12-year-old watching he was terrifying, from the music to the look to the evil looking beard. Loved every bit of it.
Actually….there wasn’t that many people that came out of the ministry angle into direct success. It was the penultimate step for a lot though. Edge went from the ministry into the TLC tag battles and then into his singles career. Same for Christian. Bradshaw went from the ministry to APA to JBL. Mideon….i guess got his singles title in, but he was a tag champion previously. Ron Simmons was a WCW world champion. Mabel/Viscera was a former king of the ring and actually had a few title matches. Can’t really say the ministry elevated those guys too much. Maybe helped extend their careers.
I know Kane has sat down in the Brothers of Destruction documentary but that would be cool if he could come over sometime, sit down and have a conversation. I'm sure he has some wild stories back in the day.
It would be interesting, but as long as we have "Presidential Kane" or "Politician Kane", those stories won't see the light of day. It could ruin his political career. No matter what story is told, someone will have a problem and thats not good when you're collecting votes
Mark Calaway couldn't draw a dime but Undertaker did. Just goes to show that not every wrestler needs to "be himself" to be a draw, they need a character. And Vince Russo was responsible for the best version of Undertaker, more proof that Russo is a genius.
Matt's genuine intrigue really comes across in this episode and it's reflected in the quality of questions and insight he contributes. Great job all around
So true. Joining the two stables cut the legs off the Ministry. The Ministry had people cheering Vince again when Taker was seemingly making his life hell. That was the most evil version of the Undertaker that pushed the most boundaries I wish he kept it going. He also had such a sweet look and was really jacked at the time too.
@kyledamron man you ain't kidding. His look during that run was 2nd to none. He looked so menacing and evil. Loved it. I remember being SO PISSED OFF when they combined the 2. Like you said it completely ruined it.
Blows my mind that kane hasn’t been on yet. Gotta see a brothers of destruction episode and hear more about kane being a governor now. I know they got hilarious stories together. Make it happen!!!!!
Ditto I was like 12/13 I already loved the Lord of Darkness version but damn when ministry came along I was 😍. I wished I was Stephanie at the time (there would of been no resisting) 😂😂😂 looking back I was a bit unhinged!
@paulaburton5206 oh don't worry that is pretty much me just I'm just a bit younger, I started watching when he was lord of darkness but the ministry elevated it for sure 😅 nice to now there are others as unstable as me 😅😅
🥹 I've finally found my people. Ministry Taker was hot AF. It didn't help that that was about the time he added the tongue to his repertoire. As someone who was initially terrified of him--MAN, that confused me in the BEST possible way. 🥵😳
If you really want to know what cinema is in wrestling and what a "final boss" really looks like, you need to watch Taker starting the genesis of The Ministry of Darkness by sitting on a throne giving a monologue about his arrival & what's to come, delivering lines that sounded accurately like a twisted version of the book of Revelations. The writing was stellar and there was so many other little things and nuances he did that gave the character a heavy sense of presence & aura like no other, he truly was in his prime creatively. Also i love that he credited the production crew for making it all possible.
Ministry Taker was a memorable character, I loved the occult theme of it. I know many prominent stars really came up through the Ministry and the various storylines it was part of!
I grew up watching the undertaker. I'm 35 years old now. I just want to say thank you to both of you. Watching these has helped me get through chemo treatments. Did 4 rounds just over about 3 months... My 3 year old son likes the undertakers voice it's so funny. He will run into the room just to see if it's him. Like i said, it has really helped me stay in a good place. I will find out next week if the treatments worked. I'm sorry I'm not looking for pitty or anything. Just wanted to give credit..
Damnnnnn taker going to WcW may have been a difference maker in the life span of WCW imo, glad af that he didn’t go but man, that woulda been wild to see
it would've probably extended their lifespan but it would hurt taker even more and he wouldn't be as recognized in both the locker room and by the fans today
He’d just be another top guy amongst a locker room off top guys with no forward planning what to do with him. Look what happened with Bret Hart…. I honestly don’t think it would’ve done anything to improve WCW’s destiny.
You know before the Undertaker got the official ministry of darkness theme song, he was still using his old graveyard symphony theme song at the beginning and man, I would say that old theme song of the Undertaker was doing quite good with Taker's ministry stuff like there was an episode of raw after the st valentine's day ppv where Taker was walking in with that old music with his ministry and it was so awesome.
I have been a fan since you came out at Survivor Series in 91'. I was 5 years old and I was mesmerized with your character. And I've been a fan ever since. Every timed you evolved your character it was awesome and I loved the ministry version of your character. I always thought they could've did more with that character. Thank you for all the years and memories you gave me. If I had to choose a person for you to have on the show it'd have to be Kane or Brock Lesnar. Or maybe the Rock. Again Thank You for all the memories. You deserve all happiness and success in the world.
Just found this channel the other day - been binging these podcasts guys! The chemistry between Matt and Taker is excellent. As someone who was a wrestling fan in the 80s, 90s, 2000s, Taker was always a favourite! But, he's been notoriously quite and private, an old-school guy who protected kayfabe, for most of his career. It's so cool to see him opening up so much, now that he's retired. I tell you, I could sit and listen to Taker talk about, and tell stories about, the wrestling business for hours! He's a great storyteller. Thanks for this great new pod to watch guys. Keep up the great work.
Hearing Mr. Taker talking about chronic pain vs feeling good hits so hard today. I’m about to be 37 and 3 and 1/2 years ago I started to develop what we know today is automimme encephalitis anti gaba b r. Part of the early signs is muscle pain/weakness, neuropathy, and stiff person syndrome. It took over 3 years for diagnosis and the pretreatment is the first time I was pain free in that time. I get it.
Cool to hear about the ministry of darkness. I feel like wwe never mention that faction enough over the years. Ministry was one of my favorite undertaker run.
Taker in WCW would've been the American Bad Ass version. But if the war would've ended the same way, Vince may not have been very forgiving of him leaving, and we might not have gotten the incredible run we did.
He wouldn't have been able to use the Undertaker in WCW, so I can only imagine how bad WCW would've destroyed his career, plus add the history taker had with Hogan & the whole tombstone/ you broke my neck brother thing, and he made a great choice staying. Not only that but he's the only veteran from that time period that can say he stayed loyal and never jumped ship. (Edit: Shawn Michaels didn't jump but I didn't count him cuz he missed multiple years with injuries)
@@chadcovey1626 Hall & Nash we're both nobodys during their first WCW runs, and considering anybody else from WWF coming in got a major push to the top of the roster I don't believe taker would have been made a mid-card guy. If WCW have won the war after that then maybe he would have came back as the deadman.
Mark Calaway is the greatest superstar of all time, regardless of faction or company. PERIOD. I've been a fan since I was in elementary school, and now I am in my 40s.
1. I loved the Corporate Ministry theme as a kid. No clue why but I did. 2. I remember marking out as a kid when The MoD faced The Brood. It was always a what if for me, then it happened 🤯🤯😂
Just on the wrestler side of things here, Mark’s ability to be so self aware of his character is impressive. He knew when his character needed to go darker and more sadistic in 1998 but a year and a half later had the awareness to see what was working for Triple H, Rock and Austin and made his character more charismatic with the American Badass
Great to see these guys coming out of the other end and living a good life after 30 years of daily car crashes. And having the surgical options available through modern medicine is awesome!
Honestly, hearing The Undertaker share stories has felt like a gift. Like a thank you from someone who gave us so much, now letting us peek behind the curtain. Mr. Calaway you are and always will be the greatest pro wrestler of all time, if only to me.
@DaBoyz361TLS yes this is true. I think people say Yoko cuz he was the big one. He was the founder. So I think maybe people think about it like it can't be an actual BSK reunion really without him
He did Poltergeist The Legacy TV show and played Soul Chaser Demon. I get creeped out watching his episode every time. I think it's because I'm not used to seeing him out of his element is creepy.
Taker is loyalty personified. I’ve been a WWE fan since the 80s with him being my favorite. During WWE’s goofy years, he’s the reason I watched. I’m glad he didn’t go to WCW.
As a former backstage person in the live entertainment industry, it's really nice to hear a guy like Taker give the folks who helped him look good credit.
Also, my favorite iteration of Taker was the "Ministry version". I know Mark said at some point on another podcast a few years ago that it was his least favorite. But i thought the look he had with his symbol on his ring gear singlet and the way he cut his goatee. He looked like the devil. It was by far the darkest version and best in my opinion.
The Undertaker never said that he hated his ministry version of the character, he just didn't like the merger with the corporation and Vince McMahon higher power reveal because it watered down and sidelined him and his ministry.
I heard Nash tell this story but I've never heard Undertaker talk about it. Nash said that Undertaker was supposed to debut in WCW as The American Bad Ass
Taker im so glad youre feeling better.The dead man id alive and well!! You have inspired me and Ive gone from 305 to 280 in weight. Excercising eating a much better diet and feeling like i could tag with you and Kane lol. May God bless you sir.
I was a late bloomer into becoming a religious WWF fan...this is the version of Undertaker I'll always remember. The black and purple with the phantom mask is still my favorite version.
I'm so thankful that all of them are healthy and being able to hangout and talk about old and new times, and allowing us to listen on to their HOF lives. Thank you everybody, Mideon Godfather Maven Chris Van Vliet and Taker. P.S Chronic pain is such a slow poison. As a hemophiliac since birth I have never felt how NOT having pain feels like.
Ministry Taker only trails behind The Lord of Darkness '96-'98, Phenom '04-'14, and the original Western for me. Also Instagram people need to wake up, we gotta get KANE!
To be honest the 04-14 character sucked his in ring work was nice but character sucked In 04 the deadman character wasn’t believable anymore. When I seen 04-14 I still see the American bad ass character And I believe he should’ve stayed American badass till he retired
@user-yq4mu9xs1i I couldn't disagree more but to each thier own. Some of my favorite work comes from that era including his harsh and real personality to fit that era
@@q.h.s5051 like I said his in ring work from 04-14 was good but character wise the deadman stuff wasn’t believable anymore especially switching from American badass back to deadman Gimmick wise it just not believable like how it was through the 90’s and by the time 04 came keyfabe was dead lol
Thank God finally a episode on this. Ministry of Darkness Undertaker was my fav version ever. Honestly tho when I was a kid I had to close my eyes and mute the tv when he came on and cut promos because I was so scared of him.
I have to say this; as someone who was a kid back during that “lean era” of WWF, right as the nWo caught fire, Undertaker vs. Mandkind is what kept me into WWF! Your feud with Mick was a silver lining in an otherwise majority boring time. Not to say Bret and Shawn weren’t great, but that feud with Mick was brutal for that time. Then Austin’s rise from his early days, transitioning to Stone Cold from “The Ringmaster” was huge too. Vince had to evolve from that childish demographic, and I was a kid realizing that! Definitely had to look at the nWo reality check, and how that essentially made Sting even better! To your point, Taker; it was definitely the best thing that could’ve happened to you guys. It made everyone better!
I feel like everyone needs to band together to get Triple H in the HOF by himself because in his position, he's never going to put himself over for his single entry
The ministry of darkness version of the Undertaker reminds me of Lord Voldemort, Emperor Palpatine and Disney's the Horned King. The Undertaker was a ghoulish dark lord who wears a robe and led his army to take over the WWE and was haunting Stephanie McMahon. And although the Undertaker and his Ministry was sidelined due to it's merger with the corporation and Vince McMahon higher power reveal it was still very cool and scary.
Minstry undertaker = Final boss undertaker, he really looked evil and i loved the part during the ministry were it was implied that mark calaway was believing in his undertaker character. That would've be such a cool angle. The minstry theme is still the best undertaker theme and I'd have loved it if he used it more often especially when he returned as the undertaker 2004.
Ministry Taker was peak Taker….everything about it was top tier. The look, the entrance attire and music, the lengths they would go to achieve power. Everyone in the faction fit well. One of the best moments to be alive and watch it go live every Monday.
I would love to see steve Borden aka sting on this podcast I think it would be such and experience to hear both sides of the ring of wwe and WCW most iconic wrestlers
Taker, you became my favorite wrestler the first time I saw you at Survivor Series and you never stopped being my favorite. I'm 49 now and we kinda grew up together in a way. I don't really want to steal Bret Hart's moniker but you are the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be!! And I'll go to my grave (no pun intended lol) believing that. I just wanted to tell you thank you for entertaining us all those years, thank you for all the sacrifices you had to make professionally and personally and thank you for putting your body on the line to give us everything you had. God Bless you Brother 🙏!!!!
It was so cool hearing more about the Ministry of Darkness. The robe, the hellraiser type coat, and the imagery was just so cool! Happy to hear Undertaker talk more about it! Thank you guys!👍🏻
