Undertaker

jrochie

Hey all,

Was just watching some clips of the undertaker there from over the last 10 years and got me thinking, what period do you think he was at his best? The character has obviously evolved since his debut and gone through different looks and styles. So what do you think?
Personally i really liked his look around the time of the ministry. The guy looked legitimately scary and demonic!

michael.etc...

jrochie wrote: »

Hey all,

Was just watching some clips of the undertaker there from over the last 10 years and got me thinking, what period do you think he was at his best? The character has obviously evolved since his debut and gone through different looks and styles. So what do you think?
Personally i really liked his look around the time of the ministry. The guy looked legitimately scary and demonic!

He had a great heel look during the ministry time and it really suited his character. But his work at the time absolutely sucked, and he was in terrible condition- just completely beat up. In-ring wise, I think he's been at his best over the past couple of years prior to his most recent hiatus. He was also fantastic in 96/97 as well.

Character-wise, it's hard to say- looking back I've always found that some of the storylines he's involved in when his character is most interesting, are really silly and unbelievable. They definely have more impact first-time round. The stuff with Edge and Batista stands up so far, but I'm a sucker for his really early period when he was involved with Jake Roberts!

Diabhal Beag

Have to say when he was feuding with Randy was his best time IMO. He saw the potential and put him over to an extent after that injury. Hate Taker now though. He seem so watered down.

Professey Chin

American Bad-Ass for me.Was a great break from the druids,lightning and constant blackness

davrho

michael.etc... wrote: »

He had a great heel look during the ministry time and it really suited his character. But his work at the time absolutely sucked, and he was in terrible condition-

The stuff with Edge and Batista stands up so far, but I'm a sucker for his really early period when he was involved with Jake Roberts!

Agree with this. His match with Batista at wm is one of my favorite matches seen live.

geeky

Storyline and character wise, I think it was the early period... the way he'd just sit bolt upright during a match after he'd taken a finisher was just brilliant. He hadn't really had to put anyone over, so he was the perfect 'unstoppable monster' heel.

I think his best ring work came a little bit after this, when he started doing the cool rope walk. It's hard to watch him now, as he's clearly so beat up.

krudler

geeky wrote: »

Storyline and character wise, I think it was the early period... the way he'd just sit bolt upright during a match after he'd taken a finisher was just brilliant. He hadn't really had to put anyone over, so he was the perfect 'unstoppable monster' heel.

I think his best ring work came a little bit after this, when he started doing the cool rope walk. It's hard to watch him now, as he's clearly so beat up.

Aside from the fact he's had the best matches on the card of the last three Wrestlemania's?

geeky

krudler wrote: »

Aside from the fact he's had the best matches on the card of the last three Wrestlemania's?

Yes, aside from that. I'm not saying he has bad matches but, when you know someone needs a new hip for example, you really wish they'd retire for their own sake.

krudler

geeky wrote: »

Yes, aside from that. I'm not saying he has bad matches but, when you know someone needs a new hip for example, you really wish they'd retire for their own sake.

Ah ok, thought you meant his performances were bad, if anything his matches over the past 2 or 3 years have been career defining compared to his piss poor slow matches of the early 90's, think 97/98 Taker was my favourite, when he was feuding with Bret, Shawn, and then Austin for most of the summer of 98, their Summerslam clash is still great, wasnt a fan of the Ministry Taker, in look and in matches (WM15, shudder)

davrho

krudler wrote: »

Aside from the fact he's had the best matches on the card of the last three Wrestlemania's?

Thats not a fact thats your opinion. Everyone has their own favorite matches from wresltmanias and it dont make them facts.

Geeky i agree the taker is struggling badly and for his own sake and for comfort in later life he should call it a day. He has been top level for years and has done his bit. I would hate him to end up a cripple for the sake of keeping the fans happy.

I agree Krudler with the sloppy wrestling but for years taker was just getting lined up to fight giants with no talent.

geeky

davrho wrote: »

I agree Krudler with the sloppy wrestling but for years taker was just getting lined up to fight giants with no talent.

That's true. Didn't he go for two years without using the tombstone because the people he was put with were just too big to do that move on safely? A crying shame, as there are few more emphatic finishers in wrestling.

Given how his routine up to then had been as a monsterous, powerful wrestler who physically dominated people, to suddenly have to adapt to a more evenly matched style - and carry people who weren't great workers - must have been very hard. I'd forgive a lot of sloppy matches.

chopperbyrne

Biker Taker.

He got to cut promos and sell properly. By far the best period of his career.

Second place goes to Ministry of Darkness Taker, before it became Corporate Ministry.