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 😮💨
*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!"
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
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.
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!
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 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!!!!
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.
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
@@MemphisRideshareHe was Juiced like crazy. His personal life went on a Downward Spiral shortly after Owen Hart’s tragic death. He went through a nasty divorce too and was battling PED addiction.
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
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.
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!!!!!
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.
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.
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
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. 🥵😳
@@plawson8577 “The Black Wedding” was an awesome segment too! The SmackDown! Pilot episode where the Corporate Ministry was formed, and Higher Power reveal are also memorable for me.
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 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.
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.
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.
I first was introduced to Undertaker in 1994 after playing RAW on SNES. I’ve been a fan of his since the age of 11. Undertaker is my ALL time favorite Wrestler. A True GOAT.
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
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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!
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.
In ‘98-99 PED and Painkiller use was at an all time high among Professional Wrestlers. Even at 16, I knew that Taker wasn’t in good shape and that he was clearly on PEDs. He vanished from TV around August and was M.I.A. For like 8 months.
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!
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.
Listening to them talk about blue chew as nonchalantly as they can is absolutely hilarious. It's one of the things I look forward to seeing while watching his podcast on UA-cam. 🙃
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
“I’m gonna take your soul. It’s gonna be a pleasure. Taking your soul!” I remember that episode. The protagonist was a preppy White guy with a Black girlfriend. It was Kinda of an homage to Nightmare on Elm Street.
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 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
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.
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.
Taker looks very well here, although his body is probably knackered from the injuries. I haven't watched wrestling in about 20 years, since ruthless aggression era but love the behind the scenes stories and characters from the past. It such a strange sight having grown up with Taker in character for so long now seeing him like this. Remembering Godfather's Papa Shango incarnation brought back some terrifying sights to 7 year old me and then Kama was cool too. Great characters. The Ministry was such a cool image change for Taker, he reminds me of how Bowie changed his image and reinvented himself. I wonder if there was a pragmatic aspect to the creation of the stable, Taker would remain a key figure but wrestle less due to injuries. Like other stables(NWO) it lost its spark the bigger it got, the whole corporate side humanised it and took away the darkness for me. And then revealing Vince as the higher power was a real anti-climax and smacked of a "making it up as we go along" vibe. Still great times, thanks for the memories
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.
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.
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.
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
@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
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
Ministry starts @39:00
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Thank you cause dam
🙌🏿🙌🏿
Thank you cause we want to go straight to the topic
Good
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 😮💨
One of my favorite moments, the laugh, just everything from that moment was amazing i can see it in my head just thinking about it
@@nylahfrison8852 yeah bro, that was the apex bro I’m telling you. The undertaker did a great job with his 99 persona.
*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!"
Omfg.... 😅😅😅😅
Blew chew and Jesus are obviously the center of M&M, Mark and Michelle.
The undertaker talking about his dangler wasn’t on my bingo card.
8@@carrollscudder7178😊
ASAAA TIMBALAYYYYYY
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
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.
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!
If they can carve out the time to do it
Nah, we need somebody completely different and unexpected, like Dennis Rodman.
@Jacob-jg6cd that's a great idea too! I'd love to see Taker and Dennis Rodman have a conversation together
Would love that!
Man...that would be a mini-series...and I'd be down for every episode...2 of my favorites, Shawn is my GOAT.
Another guest that yall gotta get is Kane. We need to hear all the stories from those two. Mick Foley would be great too.
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.
There's a video of Mick and taker watching the hell in a cell match
"Good thing she (Michelle McCool) was in elementary school at the time." DAMN! 😆
Michelle McCool is 15 years Mark’s Junior. Meaning in 1998-99, she was 18 years old. Not sure what you’re talking about.
@@plawson8577 That was the joke THEY made during the video. So correct them as I'm just laughing at that rather than the research. 🙄
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!!!!
1999 was the last great epic year to be honest.
we were spoiled as fans when we were kids lol we just thought monday night amazing programming was normal and would last forever
I agree, when Taker Debuted as the American Badass, I missed the Deadman version of Undertaker so much!!
1:09:41 - Matt briefly met The Undertaker there 🤣
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.
ua-cam.com/users/shortsI6x5N5Cb9_s?si=dKH0yhCuCthM9eAG
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. 😅
@@CRAZYHORSE19682003 ua-cam.com/users/shorts5Jyp6txdQcY?si=m6WxiKGDtD1gxeGo
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 and Black and Purple Era is my favourite 🖤💜🖤 The Ministry era was awesomely vicious and dark 🖤
Ministry Undertaker, was by far my favorite era, of 'Taker! The look alone, was amazing! Only his debut year in the company, can compare.
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.
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
Triple h booking it would definitely be interesting
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And the utterly badass take on his theme music. I don't think there is a fusion of music that tickles my brain better than hard rock + symphony.
Bray Wiatt definitely pulled on that string during his career.
I wonder which came out first, crucified Stephanie McMahon, or crucified Sandman,
Ministry Taker was an absolute tank too, he was jacked.
He was one scary dude
It was also a low point in his career. He was hurt during the last half of his run
@@MemphisRideshareHe was Juiced like crazy. His personal life went on a Downward Spiral shortly after Owen Hart’s tragic death. He went through a nasty divorce too and was battling PED addiction.
Maven is so humble and that’s why we love him. He absolutely has the fan base to do this and a few plugs on here wouldn’t hurt either 😊
I could listen to Taker and Godfather stories all day. Mideon too. Great, great episodes.
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
The ministry of darkness raised so many members ‘s careers.
edge, bradshaw, ron simmons, viscera etc
I do think edge would have gotten there either way
@@thedogwoods5716facts facts
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.
Especially Edge and JBL.
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!!!!!
Imagine the looks on WCW execs faces when they heard Undertaker, the man who they said wouldn't draw a dime, has refused their crazy pay 😂
ua-cam.com/users/shorts5Jyp6txdQcY?si=m6WxiKGDtD1gxeGo
That’s the equivalent of The Rock telling his (not really) high school girlfriend to poontang her ass on out of here.
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.
@@ElAssoWipe-o Well, not entirely. But, keep huffing them Russo farts.
@@ElAssoWipe-oyour name says it all
Please get Jeff Hardy on this!! Love your podcast Taker
Undertaker is calling Bud , BUD now ! 😂😂 28:50
We’ve all had a hand in changing his name to bud lol part of me feels bad but it’s also very funny
@@Hannie_Bananie😂😂 yup!
The Ministry was such a great stable. Damn Vince for turning it into the Coorperate Ministry
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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.
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
He only seems to have a surface vague understanding to me...
Ministry taker was deffo my favourite. My childhood crush when I was 8/9 😂
same girl!!!!😂
@paulaburton5206 great taste 😅
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. 🥵😳
Ministry Taker hanging the Big Boss Man with a noose from the cell was diabolical.
Wrestlemania 14/15?
@@JamesFordMusic WMXV
@@PhoenixNZ87The only memorable moment in Heel Occult Leader Ministry Taker was when he kidnapped Stephanie McMahon.
@@plawson8577 “The Black Wedding” was an awesome segment too!
The SmackDown! Pilot episode where the Corporate Ministry was formed, and Higher Power reveal are also memorable for me.
The Undertaker Ministry theme is freaking epic. It's still one of my all time favorite in house productions as far as music goes.
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.
Taker referring to himself as Satan here was hilarious. Love that he has a sense of humor about how over the top MOD Taker was.
the ministry taker titantron scares the s* out of me as a kid, amazing character
Best Iconic story of 90's
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!
The Ministry Taker is BY FAR my favorite undertaker, and his theme song is the best ever.
That WrestleMania XV Theme brought that character to life. That was peak Undertaker in his Final Form.
Actually peak Taker was when he came back in as the deadman in 04. 04-09 was Taker at his peak.
@@StraightEdgeKnight1904 Taker is HORRIBLE lmfao. Horrible feuds. Horrible look. Him trying to blend both the gimmicks. Orton angle saved him.
@@freezhollywood kid read the comment again “04-09” was peak Taker. 04-09 Taker would destroy Ministry Taker. Especially 2007 Taker.
@@StraightEdgeKnight19 “destroy” lol it’s a work
Definitely peak taker in 1999 size and power wise he was unstoppable and massive.
Unfortunately too many injuries hurt what he could do in the ring
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.
It’s a Damn shame that Hulk Hogan tried to get him in trouble and Lied about a Neck injury though.
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..
Praying for you 🙏
Hang in there bud!
Going to download this for the plane ride home. Been waiting all week. Love the podcast love taker awesome guys. Matts ok to 😂
The streak will always continue so now
I cant wait to hear another his BLUE CHEW segment chew it and DO IT😂
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.
im still waiting for the ministry to come back.
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.
I first was introduced to Undertaker in 1994 after playing RAW on SNES. I’ve been a fan of his since the age of 11. Undertaker is my ALL time favorite Wrestler. A True GOAT.
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
And this is why whenever we see the gathering of major stars in every era of WWE, there’s a new version of the Undertaker included each time
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.
accept the lord of darkness as your savior mahn mahnthrak jenna allow the purity of the evil to guide you best taker theme
The song automatically starts playing in my head
@@edsondocarmo3065 True that
Jenna? 🤣
The WrestleMania 2000 theme
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 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
They don't seem to actually talk about specific things on here, just skim over a year period
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.
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 🤯🤯😂
same , it just had a cool vibe to it with the violins leading to "no chance thats what ya got"
Corporate ministry theme is so much better than the Vince McMahon version.
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.
39:00 if you want to skip to the Ministry talk.
My favorite Incarnation of Taker was when he created the Ministry of Darkness. Glad to finally find out the thought process of evolving the character.
HOW DO YOU RIP THE BALLS OFF OF A BULL? 😂😂😂 Still the funniest most random ass interview ministry Taker ever did.
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!
We need the mayor glen jacobs on next
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.
In ‘98-99 PED and Painkiller use was at an all time high among Professional Wrestlers. Even at 16, I knew that Taker wasn’t in good shape and that he was clearly on PEDs. He vanished from TV around August and was M.I.A. For like 8 months.
Been waiting for an episode on this!
Please get Stephanie Helmsley McMahon for a interview.
His ministry theme songs are top tier!!! 🎉🎉🎉
Listening to all these stories are just another reason why The Undertaker is and always will be the G.O.A.T.
I wish Undertaker can talk about the story of why he cut his long hair to a Mohawk in 2012 in his WM match against Triple H
That was him protesting Triple H rejecting his request for a rematch
Best Titantron video of all time.. that part of him on the temple, the altar, walking thru fire oh man!
My favorite attitude era faction
Gotta get DDP on the show! DDPY changed my life, would love to see Dallas and Taker talk about recovery from injuries
Best entrance music of the whole Undertaker's career. Jim Johnston is freaking legend!
Don’t forget the WM14 remix of Graveyard Symphony!
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!
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.
Mark Calaway was the Locker Ambassador at WWF. Everyone respected him.
Listening to them talk about blue chew as nonchalantly as they can is absolutely hilarious. It's one of the things I look forward to seeing while watching his podcast on UA-cam. 🙃
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)
Naw... Taker in WCW was nobody... He tried it. Vince is who we have to thank for Undertaker... Unfortunately
He woulda got buried there. Don't think he was close to anyone there that was a top guy. I could be wrong tho....
@@jameswesten2018"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.
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 remember an old interview of Undertaker saying The Ministry was Vince Russo’s idea. Here, he’s taking soul credit & snubbing Russo, altogether.
I've heard Taker give Russo props. But he's a McMahon guy thru and thru. Hard for any of them to give Russo credit.
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'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 is my favorite version of the character. If only we could've seen where it would've gone.
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.
“I’m gonna take your soul. It’s gonna be a pleasure. Taking your soul!” I remember that episode. The protagonist was a preppy White guy with a Black girlfriend. It was Kinda of an homage to Nightmare on Elm Street.
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.
based on the Blue Chew ad, I WISH Taker had a run where he was cracking jokes and doing funny promos 🤣
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
It's 11:04pm here n I'm about to sleep then notification came in,six feet under......me from this😪 to this😁...tq for another great episode🥂
Where r u? If u don't mind me asking. 12 hours difference from me in illinois
@@420schmokey420 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.🙂
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.
Kane, McConaughey and Kevin Von Erich would be great guests.
Doooope! It last from January to July but it was the craziest Taker character!
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.
Peak???? It was the low point of his career!!!!!
@@wa2k99 if that’s your opinion, that’s cool. It won’t change mine.
Ministry Taker doesn't get the love that he's owed. This version was badass. Top 3 for me
Welcome to Monday night taker 💜🖤
Taker looks very well here, although his body is probably knackered from the injuries. I haven't watched wrestling in about 20 years, since ruthless aggression era but love the behind the scenes stories and characters from the past. It such a strange sight having grown up with Taker in character for so long now seeing him like this.
Remembering Godfather's Papa Shango incarnation brought back some terrifying sights to 7 year old me and then Kama was cool too. Great characters.
The Ministry was such a cool image change for Taker, he reminds me of how Bowie changed his image and reinvented himself. I wonder if there was a pragmatic aspect to the creation of the stable, Taker would remain a key figure but wrestle less due to injuries. Like other stables(NWO) it lost its spark the bigger it got, the whole corporate side humanised it and took away the darkness for me. And then revealing Vince as the higher power was a real anti-climax and smacked of a "making it up as we go along" vibe.
Still great times, thanks for the memories
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.
Can we get Kane and Rikishi as guests next please?
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.
Ministry Undertaker's theme is straight up boss music. That guitar and the beat you knew business was gunna pick up!
39:17 - Starts here
To get this perspective from take each week is HUGE. I’m hooked on this podcast.
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.
Ministry of Darkness Undertaker easily best heel in WWE history
finally one of my fav version of the undertaker gets an episode. sadly the booking and injuries ruined it and cut it short
The happy dad on the table is a legendary move
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
@@user-yq4mu9xs1iUndertaker’s TRUE best era was 1996-1998. The Deadman and Phenom Taker. When he was Face, he was Immaculate and Opulent.
Ahh yes, the episode we've been waiting for!
ua-cam.com/users/shortsu32mIYImA8E?si=evYgApnL8xlN_bTr
Yes
It's honestly to the point where you can say that every Monday
We want a BSK R-E-U-N-I-O-N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yokozuna is gone
Well, you know what you have to do to get it. Get to advertisin
@stevenhibbert7512 Mr Fuji, and Paul Bearer and Brian Adams aka Crush.
@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
@nickswix6976 yes and also Yoko and Taker are both co founders
Absolutely my favorite entrence theme. I actually think it helped me get into metal
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
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂