BikerTaker!

Degag

The Favourite Theme Thread gave me a thought. Anyone think it's likely that Undertaker will revert back to his Biker Persona before he retires? Personally i think that there is as it would make him seem more infalliable and more likely to lose his streak at Mania. It'd also refresh his character and he himself would probably be more receiving to a Ric Flair type send off than he would in his current character....

ShawnRaven

Won't happen, many consider Bikertaker to be his worst period ever. I'm not one of them, i think he had some awesome matches under that guise and refreshed what was essentially stale as last weeks loaf.

But nah, he'll keep his existing character when he eventually goes.

Degag

I don't know... i mean think how many times Mick Foley changed character in his last year or so.... actually scrap that, that was totally ludicrous!!!

EdK

Mick Foley hasn't had his last year and I doubt he ever will

As for Taker I'm pretty sure he hates the gimmick himself but there's not exactly much scope for change within it, perhaps some magical being can bring him back to life

Degag

EdK wrote: »

Mick Foley hasn't had his last year and I doubt he ever will

As for Taker I'm pretty sure he hates the gimmick himself but there's not exactly much scope for change within it, perhaps some magical being can bring him back to life

Ah sorry, but in my mind mick foley retired back in 2000. Pity it didn't stay that way.

ShawnRaven

EdK wrote: »

perhaps some magical being can bring him back to life

Too late, that was done already for the amount of times he came back from being "buried alive" :P

I reckon he will, at some stage, lose the deadman gimmick.


I remember commentary on SD! before where Cole and Tazz (i think) were saying that the undertaker isn't actually dead. He just uses it as a way of scaring his opponents and playing mind games with them. They were saying this during a taker match, and during the match Taker got a punch in the face, but didn't sell it and looked directy at his opponent (whom i can't remember). Cole and Tazz used that as an example and said something to the effect of "Taker has got to have felt that big hand. He must be feeling some pain now, but he reacts as if he felt nothing" and went on more about mind games, etc. So they do actually acknowledge that he isn't invincible at times (although as i say, Cole was aclling the match, so it was a while ago when i heard that). Found it to be interesting commentary.


Anyway, I reckon Taker's last mania will have him as Mark Callaway-style undertaker.

Someone will be in a feud with him and they'll do something really, really bad (kill McCool or something, with a bit of luck) and taker will snap. Drop the deadman gimmick and they'll do a "this isn't for a championship or winning streak.. This is personal" kinda feuds that they do every now and then (like Hunter/Orton at the moment).

As it is, Taker's character is very stale in my opinion.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Deleted User wrote: »

Anyway, I reckon Taker's last mania will have him as Mark Callaway-style undertaker.

Oh, as opposed to the Paul Levesque-style Undertaker that he's been protraying?

CMpunked

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

Oh, as opposed to the Paul Levesque-style Undertaker that he's been protraying?

Lol.

Define a "Mark callaway-style undertaker". :pac:

Kess73

Deleted User wrote: »

I reckon he will, at some stage, lose the deadman gimmick.


I remember commentary on SD! before where Cole and Tazz (i think) were saying that the undertaker isn't actually dead. He just uses it as a way of scaring his opponents and playing mind games with them. They were saying this during a taker match, and during the match Taker got a punch in the face, but didn't sell it and looked directy at his opponent (whom i can't remember). Cole and Tazz used that as an example and said something to the effect of "Taker has got to have felt that big hand. He must be feeling some pain now, but he reacts as if he felt nothing" and went on more about mind games, etc. So they do actually acknowledge that he isn't invincible at times (although as i say, Cole was aclling the match, so it was a while ago when i heard that). Found it to be interesting commentary.


Anyway, I reckon Taker's last mania will have him as Mark Callaway-style undertaker.

Someone will be in a feud with him and they'll do something really, really bad (kill McCool or something, with a bit of luck) and taker will snap. Drop the deadman gimmick and they'll do a "this isn't for a championship or winning streak.. This is personal" kinda feuds that they do every now and then (like Hunter/Orton at the moment).
As it is, Taker's character is very stale in my opinion.

Would that not be too similar to what was tried when DDP was stalking Taker's wife?

CMpunked

Kess73 wrote: »

Would that not be too similar to what was tried when DDP was stalking Taker's wife?

Yes but this is the WWE, they think the fans have goldfish memories.

Kess73

Comic-Book-Guy wrote: »

Yes but this is the WWE, they think the fans have goldfish memories.

Very true, plus the kiddie audience would not have a clue about it, or to who DDP was.

Jolt2007

I'd be all for sticking the deadman character on a bike to get him to the ring in under 5 minutes for once.

rossie1977

ShawnRaven wrote: »

I'm not one of them, i think he had some awesome matches under that guise .

and some terrible ones as well (test at summerslam 2002 was the only stinker on that card), a-train and big show at mania 19.

biker gimmicks in wrestling have been horrible for the most part, when crush and his cronies did that gimmick years before taker it sucked, when chuck palumbo did it, it sucked, when taker did it, it sucked.

chopperbyrne

The Dead Man Inc period of his career is my favourite. He got to put on completely different types of matches, have decent promos and he got a cool new powerbomb finisher.

Jimmy Bottlehead

chopperbyrne wrote: »

The Dead Man Inc period of his career is my favourite. He got to put on completely different types of matches, have decent promos and he got a cool new powerbomb finisher.

... and ride a chopper. Figured you'd like that

Tricity Bendix

chopperbyrne wrote: »

The Dead Man Inc period of his career is my favourite. He got to put on completely different types of matches, have decent promos and he got a cool new powerbomb finisher.

The promos were brilliant. He's done some amount of talking leading up to Wrestlemania (which wasn't up to his old standard, but at least added some dimension to his character and the match) so here's hoping heel get some stick time in the future.

D.Q

i dont really care what gimmick he uses as long as he turns heel soon.

Degag

Tricity Bendix wrote: »

The promos were brilliant. He's done some amount of talking leading up to Wrestlemania (which wasn't up to his old standard, but at least added some dimension to his character and the match) so here's hoping heel get some stick time in the future.

While he did a few promo's leading up to Mania, he still didn't have much scope to expand them. He was restricted in what he culd say because he was and still is the Deadman, and the Deadman doesn't break kayfabe.;)

ShawnRaven

rossie1977 wrote: »

and some terrible ones as well (test at summerslam 2002 was the only stinker on that card), a-train and big show at mania 19.

biker gimmicks in wrestling have been horrible for the most part, when crush and his cronies did that gimmick years before taker it sucked, when chuck palumbo did it, it sucked, when taker did it, it sucked.

The Road Warriors didn't do too bad out of it considering thats how they started off? Adrian Adonis did well out of his character, before he took a couple of weeks off and gained about 50lbs. Then Vince stuck him in a dress to spite him!

ShawnRaven

Tricity Bendix wrote: »

The promos were brilliant. He's done some amount of talking leading up to Wrestlemania (which wasn't up to his old standard, but at least added some dimension to his character and the match) so here's hoping heel get some stick time in the future.

His old standard? He couldn't cut a promo to save his life for his first seven years in the company!!

chopperbyrne

Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

... and ride a chopper. Figured you'd like that

Nah, bikes aren't my thing.

It's a footballing nickname.

ShawnRaven wrote: »

His old standard? He couldn't cut a promo to save his life for his first seven years in the company!!

In fairness, he didn't have to. That's what Paul Bearer was for.

ShawnRaven

chopperbyrne wrote: »

In fairness, he didn't have to. That's what Paul Bearer was for.

Exactly. But even from 97-99 prior to his injury when Pringle was in and out of the camp, his promo work was abysmal. If one thing positive thing came out of the Bikertaker gimmick, was his experience to develop his promo skills.

(see what i'm doing here folks?, I'm giving Undertaker his props! Pinch yourself to check that you're not dreaming! :P)

Tricity Bendix

ShawnRaven wrote: »

His old standard? He couldn't cut a promo to save his life for his first seven years in the company!!

By his old standard I meant his work as the American Badass. He know, the stuff about dogs and yards?

ShawnRaven

Tricity Bendix wrote: »

By his old standard I meant his work as the American Badass. He know, the stuff about dogs and yards?

Well one can learn a lot in the guts of the year he was off. But by comparison to his tenure with the company. 9 years ago isn't all that long ago.

deanodrummer

I liked him mostly around late 98 when he was feuding with Austin. He put on *some* good matches and although he was the ''Deadman'' he had a bit of a badass attitude too.

Edit: That reminds me, Summerslam 1998 was quality.

Adiboo

I loved Biker-Taker. His return at Judgment Day 2000, was one of the real goosebump moments in wrestling for me. Absolutely fantastic.

Dancor

Adiboo wrote: »

I loved Biker-Taker. His return at Judgment Day 2000, was one of the real goosebump moments in wrestling for me. Absolutely fantastic.

At the time I felt the same, But looking at it now it kind of ruined a great match.

deanodrummer wrote: »

Edit: That reminds me, Summerslam 1998 was quality.

Indeed. Austin-Taker was a good match and also the Triple H-Rock ladder match.

oneofakind32

Was thinking about this the last day. The motorbike entrance with the limp bizkit song was pretty spectacular back in the day. He could definitely do more with the character,playing a bad assed biker.

Degag

dancor wrote: »

At the time I felt the same, But looking at it now it kind of ruined a great match.

DX, kinda ruined it first.;)

JP Liz

Bad Ass Taker / Dead Man Taker - i dont really care his gimmick as long as he is put in great feuds like his just gone feud with HBK and hopefully back in the title picture on SD (whenever its gets a top title)

Mr.Nice Guy

The biker gimmick definitely ran its course. I'm not sure if it should be revived. It was a good gimmick in my opinion and I liked how it allowed Taker to be more expressive on the mic. By late 2003 though it was very stale. The same unfortunately is true of his current character. The ideal solution would be to return to the Ministry Taker persona and allow him to be the dark, demonic Taker but the audience that WWE gears itself toward these days makes that a very remote idea.

Whatever is to happen I think they should take the current character off TV in order to freshen things up.

RAMPAGE1

They should give him the same send off as JBL "Undefeated at Mania" give me a break the guy should have put Edge over at Mania 24.Someone should explain to Mark Callaway that at least half of his Mania matches were rubbish and he was carried in the others , when are taker fans going to realise the guy is nothing more than an entrance and sure when he leaves they can continue the entrance and put Hornswoggle in a black hat and coat, its no wonder Sim Snuka dropped him on his head

Diabhal Beag

RAMPAGE1 wrote: »

They should give him the same send off as JBL "Undefeated at Mania" give me a break the guy should have put Edge over at Mania 24.Someone should explain to Mark Callaway that at least half of his Mania matches were rubbish and he was carried in the others ,

Angry much? Do you honestly think that Taker thinks that the match with Kane at Mania was a wrestling exibition? Thats just an example BTW

RAMPAGE1

Little Shyte wrote: »

Angry much? Do you honestly think that Taker thinks that the match with Kane at Mania was a wrestling exibition? Thats just an example BTW

And what an example it is interesting that you mention the other Gimmick Kane He's Mr take the Mask off and really burn and hasn't done a thing their since I watched him last week in the O2 miss a spot and for a veteran he was looking to Primo Colon for guidance He's another one for a JBL send off then 2 spots will open up for the younger guys who are bursting a gut to line taker and Kane's pockets

Rjd2

RAMPAGE1 wrote: »

And what an example it is interesting that you mention the other Gimmick Kane He's Mr take the Mask off and really burn and hasn't done a thing their since I watched him last week in the O2 miss a spot and for a veteran he was looking to Primo Colon for guidance He's another one for a JBL send off then 2 spots will open up for the younger guys who are bursting a gut to line taker and Kane's pockets

Its not as if Kane ever wins his feuds these days, he is a main event jobber who seems content in putting people over, he is not holding anybody back.

CMpunked

Chuck Pulumbo ftw.

RAMPAGE1

Comic-Book-Guy wrote: »

Chuck Pulumbo ftw.

Billy and Chuck

PRICELESS

Wrestlers are supposed to be in character from the time they walk through the curtain, all through their match and until they reach the Gorilla position. Taker steps through the curtain as the Deadman gets to the ring, then the bell chimes and it's Festus part 2, he magically transfoms into Randy Couture! Bell chimes again at the end and he's the Deadman again! And we're meant to buy into this? Give me a break! Here's to 17-1!

RAMPAGE1

PRICELESS wrote: »

Wrestlers are supposed to be in character from the time they walk through the curtain, all through their match and until they reach the Gorilla position. Taker steps through the curtain as the Deadman gets to the ring, then the bell chimes and it's Festus part 2, he magically transfoms into Randy Couture! Bell chimes again at the end and he's the Deadman again! And we're meant to buy into this? Give me a break! Here's to 17-1!

Finally someone who knows were I'm coming from I wonder does he wear the MMA Gloves to stop getting his hands sore while digging the graves.
He can retire as Undertaker UFC Champion. Mark Balboa Callaway, They should put the bird back on his shoulder so it can peck his eyes out for real

PRICELESS

Could you imagine him in the UFC? Now that would be priceless!

RAMPAGE1

He could challenge Paul Heymans CLIENT Brock Lesnar

PRICELESS

Yeah and Taker could walk up to Sable and touch her pregnant belly (assuming she hasn't had it already) a la Brock 2002 and try to convince Dana White to make it a biker chain kennel from hell lion's den match! Hate that lad!

chopperbyrne

RAMPAGE1 wrote: »

He could challenge Paul Heymans CLIENT Brock Lesnar

I'm still waiting for Heyman to burst into the octagon, take the mic from Bruce Buffer and say "allow me to introduce to you THE NEXT BIG THING Brock Lesnar!"

Mr.Nice Guy

RAMPAGE1 wrote: »

Someone should explain to Mark Callaway that at least half of his Mania matches were rubbish and he was carried in the others ,

Sorry, what? Taker was carried? As Rock would say, you been smoking them funny cigarettes? Taker is universally acknowledged to have carried many an atrocious worker to a respectable match. Bret Hart and Ric Flair are two who spring to mind who have said as much but I suppose they're wrong?

RAMPAGE wrote:

when are taker fans going to realise the guy is nothing more than an entrance and sure when he leaves they can continue the entrance and put Hornswoggle in a black hat and coat, its no wonder Sim Snuka dropped him on his head

You don't spend as long as he has in the industry purely on an entrance. :rolleyes:

PRICELESS wrote:

Wrestlers are supposed to be in character from the time they walk through the curtain, all through their match and until they reach the Gorilla position. Taker steps through the curtain as the Deadman gets to the ring, then the bell chimes and it's Festus part 2, he magically transfoms into Randy Couture! Bell chimes again at the end and he's the Deadman again! And we're meant to buy into this? Give me a break! Here's to 17-1!

Fantastic idea. How about Undertaker just lies down in the ring as soon as the bell rings, akin to a corpse, this would be more in tune with his character, eh?

DM_7

PRICELESS wrote: »

Wrestlers are supposed to be in character from the time they walk through the curtain, all through their match and until they reach the Gorilla position. Taker steps through the curtain as the Deadman gets to the ring, then the bell chimes and it's Festus part 2, he magically transfoms into Randy Couture! Bell chimes again at the end and he's the Deadman again! And we're meant to buy into this? Give me a break! Here's to 17-1!

The only randy couture things i can think off are wearing the gloves and punches in the corner. There is a hell of alot more to his wrestling style than that.

PRICELESS

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Sorry, what? Taker was carried? As Rock would say, you been smoking them funny cigarettes? Taker is universally acknowledged to have carried many an atrocious worker to a respectable match. Bret Hart and Ric Flair are two who spring to mind who have said as much but I suppose they're wrong?



You don't spend as long as he has in the industry purely on an entrance. :rolleyes:



Fantastic idea. How about Undertaker just lies down in the ring as soon as the bell rings, akin to a corpse, this would be more in tune with his character, eh?

Yes he has carried many an atrocious worker, they are the matches Rampage1 was talking about when he said half of them were rubbish.

Secondly you can remain in the business as long as you want as long as any element of your gimmick is over and will hence draw money, i've been in the business nearly 5 years and i'm not the best worker but i know what i'm talking about.

Lastly that corpse comment was was just childish, you know as well as i do that Taker, even in say 1999 was portraying his gimmick perfectly but the shooter thing just looks hokey and sticks out like a sore thumb within the current incarnation of his gimmick. May have worked for Badass Taker but not Deadman Taker.

CMpunked

PRICELESS wrote: »

Secondly you can remain in the business as long as you want as long as any element of your gimmick is over and will hence draw money, i've been in the business nearly 5 years and i'm not the best worker but i know what i'm talking about.

Define "Being in the business" for us?

PRICELESS

DM-ICE wrote: »

The only randy couture things i can think off are wearing the gloves and punches in the corner. There is a hell of alot more to his wrestling style than that.

Next time you watch a Taker match, look at his fighting stance before he locks up, now look back at a match of his from say 1999 and tell me the difference, the mma thing is as forced as Cena's humour . He's even started using an mma submission move as a finish. Lads these facts are indisputable!

PRICELESS

Comic-Book-Guy wrote: »

Define "Being in the business" for us?

Why is there something about those 4 simple words that you didn't understand?

DM_7

PRICELESS wrote: »

Next time you watch a Taker match, look at his fighting stance before he locks up, now look back at a match of his from say 1999 and tell me the difference, the mma thing is as forced as Cena's humour . He's even started using an mma submission move as a finish. Lads these facts are indisputable!

They are disputable.

He is the undertaker, not the zombie. Why shouldn't he be allowed take a fighting stance in a fight.

Callaway is a well known mma fan who from a creative side can do what he likes so there is now way anything he does is forced.

Any new fighting styles that are from mma were developed from bikertaker, the current charachter is a combo of the original persona and biker taker so these changes to the charachter are perfectly acceptable.

RE: The original topic Taker should stick as he is. He doesn't have enough time left to reinvent the persona again.