From The Vault Review: Story of The Undertaker – Chapter 2 (The Giant Slayer Years, 1992-94)

We started our trip into The Story of The Undertaker last time with what WWE Vault labels as Chapter 1, The Years (1990-92). You can read that here. We see the start of his journey in WWE, his teaming with Paul Bearer, his World Title win, and end with him destroying Jake Roberts at WrestleMania.

Now we enter Chapter 2: The Giant Slayer Years (1992-94). Help us all.

Superstars (April 18, 1992) – We start with a green-screen interview towards The Bezerker and Mr. Fuji. Paul Bearer laments what a mistake they’ve made, saying they’ll pay a price next week. Taker declares this the destiny and death of Bezerker.

Superstars (April 25, 1992) – Undertaker vs Bezerker. Fuji steals the urn from the official before the match begins, which causes Taker to chase him. This gives the Bezerker the chance to knock Bearer down with his shield, then doing the same to Undertaker. Fuji flees with the urn as Bezerker continues hitting Taker with the shield. He grabs his sword and smacks Taker across the back, then attempts to stab him. Taker moves and Bezerker stabs the ring mat instead. Bezerker clotheslines Undertaker to the arena floor, coincidentally right next to Fuji and the urn. Undertaker strikes Fuji but Bezerker jumps from the top and takes down Undertaker again. Bezerker pulls up the mat outside the ring, exposing the concrete, and piledriving Taker onto the concrete. Bezerker pulls his shirt of in celebration and throws it on top of Taker’s body. Bearer regains the urn and Taker gingerly sits up, then walking slowly towards Bezerker at the entrance. This was a hot segment.

Superstars (May 2, 1992) – Back at the green-screen, Bearer talks about everything Bezerker and Fuji tried. Taker says they knocked at the devil’s door and they are getting the reaper.

Superstars (June 13, 1992) – In front of the screen again, this time with the Undertaker logo, Bearer calls the WWF Taker’s personal burial ground. Taker says that if he has overlooked somebody, they should not be looking for the reaper. Bezerker did. “Once you come in, you can never leave.” Big Eagles fan, that Taker.

Superstars (July 11, 1992) – Undertaker vs Bruce Mitchell. Joined in progress, Taker hits Old School and the Tombstone for the win. Bezerker and Fuji come down the aisle, Bezerker knocking Bearer off the ring steps. Fuji grabs the urn but Taker grabs Fuji. Bezerker attacks from behind, hammering Undertaker with blows. Take chokes Bezerker, but Fuji strikes with his cane. Taker goes after Fuji while Bezerker runs outside. Bezerker throws salt in Taker’s eyes and leaves, Taker still reaching for the urn.

Live Event (July 21, 1992) – Undertaker & Randy Savage vs Bezerker & Ric Flair – We don’t have this one unless it’s on a Coliseum Video, and with the lack of commentary I’m guessing we don’t. We join with Savage tied up in the ropes, Bezerker still running into a boot. Savage scurries over to Taker and tags, Taker flying in with a running clothesline. Taker picks big Bezerker up for the Tombstone and then clotheslines Flair out of the ring, tagging in Savage. Macho Man goes up top and drops the elbow, securing the three count as both Flair and Mr. Perfect fail to save in time.

Prime Time Wrestling (July 27, 1992) – Undertaker vs Skinner. The excitement of Skinner! Taker chokes Skinner in the corner as Gorilla Monsoon discusses Paul Bearer looking for a bag to fit Kamala, Kimchee and Harvey Wippleman into. Taker whips Skinner into the corner and lets go of a choke. Flying clothesline. Tombstone and the three count.

Superstars (August 1, 1992) – We’re on the interview stage with Mean Gene. Gene calls it the greatest SummerSlam card ever in Wembley Stadium. Bearer can’t understand why Wippleman and Kimchee would want Kamala to face Undertaker and notes he is looking into permits for shipping a body from England to Uganda. Gene tells us that after the SummerSlam match, it will be Taker and Bearer being Kamala’s “guests for dinner.” Undertaker calls it a reference to the last supper, but the only ones dining after SummerSlam will be the maggots and words feasting on Kamala’s carcass. Cool.

Superstars (August 15, 1992) – Undertaker vs Chris Duffy. We finish up a Kamala match as the bell tolls for the next match, bringing Undertaker down the aisle. They meet mid-aisle and Kamala makes noises as they pass. Vince brags about Wembley being sold out. Taker kicks Duffy and takes him down with a chop. He runs him into the ropes and catches him with a chokeslam to the mat. Taker hits his flying clothesline and motions at the urn. He sets up and hits the Tombstone and Chris Duffy has lost.

Superstars (August 29, 1992) – With a green screen of England behind him, Taker tells Kamala that his future is in darkness.

SummerSlam 1992 – Undertaker vs Kamala. We join as Kamala slams Taker’s head into the ring steps. Kamala rolls Taker into the ring and chops Taker repeatedly, both to the chest and the head. Taker slings Taker in, who ducks and chokeslams Kamala. Taker hits the flying clothesline and picks Kamala up for the Tombstone, only for Kimchee to run it and hit Taker. The referee calls for the DQ as Taker throws Kimchee out. Kamala chops and attacks Taker in the corner, then bodyslams Taker in the middle of the ring. Kamala hits a running splash as Howard Finkel announces Undertaker as the winner. Kamala climbs to the second rope and hits another splash. Then he goes to the top rope, again splashing Taker as Bobby Heenan declares the end of the Undertaker. Taker sits up and chases Kamala (slowly) towards the locker room.

Prime Time Wrestling (September 14, 1992) – Undertaker vs Kato. Taker runs into a boot but catches a flying Kato in a choke. Taker throws Kato into the opposite corner, who collapses as he hits it. Gorila declares Taker’s war with Kamala not over by a long shot as Kato tries to clothesline Undertaker. Lord Alfred Hayes calls Harvey Wippleman “the tiny little doctor” as Taker regains control and chokeslams Kato. Taker grabs Kato up for the Tombstone and gets that win.

Superstars (September 19, 1992) – Kamala pins his opponent as we see Paul Bearer start to roll a coffin to the ringside area. McMahon is sure Taker is popping out of the coffin. Kamala sees it and falls, running around the ring in fear before climbing over the barricade and running through the fans.

Superstars (October 10, 1992) – Kamala defeats another opponent as Bearer again rolls out the casket. Kamala sees it and falls again in fear, running over another barricade and through the fans with Kimchee and Wippleman.

Superstars (October 17, 1992) – Bearer asks if Kamala understands that the loser goes inside the casket at Survivor Series. Taker says Kamala has run and hid, but now he has to run to the ring but will be pushed out in a coffin.

Superstars (October 24, 1992) – Undertaker vs Jason Helton. But first, Nailz is in the ring saying he isn’t leaving until Big Boss Man gets out here. The Taker’s music hits and he slowly marches to the ring. Nailz foams at the mouth as Taker steps across from him in the ring. They go face-to-face and neither man shows fear. As they face off, Sgt. Slaughter comes to the ring motioning for the referee to get Nailz out of the ring. Nailz leaves but not before doing a double take towards Taker, who doesn’t jump. Nailz finally leaves for a round of booing. The bell rings and Jason Helton runs to attack Undertaker, but is caught in a chokeslam. Without even taking his coat off, Taker scoops Helton up for the Tombstone and the pin. We go old school as Taker places Helton into a bodybag. Taker runs and stomps the bag just to be extra.

Superstars (October 31, 1992) – Bearer welcomes us to Undertaker’s workshop as Taker sands wood. Bearer talks about the casket match, saying the loser will rest in eternal damnation. Bearer shows us the blueprint of Kamala’s coffin.

Superstars (November 7, 1992) – Construction continues. Bearer tells us this coffin isn’t airtight and the wood hasn’t been treated, so it will decay quickly. Oh, good. Bearer declares Kamala a Thanksgiving for the maggots and bugs.

Superstars (November 14, 1992) – The end of construction as Taker heats up a piece of metal for the process.

Superstars (November 21, 1992) – One more visit. Bearer notes that this will be a rare live burial. Bearer pulls the cover off the large wooden coffin adorned with Kamala’s imagery. Taker comes out of the coffin, saying that he will beat Kamala into a gruesome pulp and heave his rotting carcass into the coffin. Will he be rotting already? He describes Kamala’s heart racing as he slams the lid shut, then suffocating on his own breath.

Survivor Series – Undertaker vs Kamala. Kamala scoops Taker up for three slams, and Taker can’t sit up the third time. Kamala splashes Taker three times as Heenan declares this the demise of the Undertaker. Kimchee grabs the urn and throws it in the ring, which Kamala kicks back out of the ring. Taker sits up as Kimchee throws the urn towards Kamala. Taker knocks Kamala over the head with it and pins Kamala for the pin. Step two is rolling him in the coffin, which he does. Taker grabs the coffin lid (which isn’t attached) and puts it on top, taking nails and a hammer from Bearer and hammering the lid on. With that, Taker is declared the winner as Bearer rolls away with the coffin.

Superstars (January 2, 1993) – Bearer talks about having 29 freshly dug graves as Taker says 30 men will enter the Rumble but only one will exit.

Raw (January 11, 1993) – Undertaker vs Damien DeMento. Raw! Taker runs Demento into the corner and sets up Old School. Demento stands up after it and is thrust into a corner, being choked. Taker slings him into another corner, then running into Demento’s foot. Demento jumps from the top and strikes Taker, then takes him down with a running elbow. Taker sits up and takes Damien down with the running clothesline. He hits the Tombstone and gets the three.

Royal Rumble 1993 – Royal Rumble match. Undertaker is throwing men everywhere in the match, eliminating Ted Dibiase. Taker faces Bezerker as we see the very large, airbrushed Giant Gonzalez headed to the ring with Harvey Wippleman. Taker eliminates Bezerker as Gonzalez is in the ring. Taker notices and they go face to face, Taker shorter by about a head. Gonzalez chops Taker several times, including a chop out of the ring. He continues chopping Taker around the ringside area as Gorilla questions who this guy is. Gonzalez whips Taker into and over the metal stairs. In the ring, Gonzalez chokeslams Taker, who can’t sit back up. Pulling Taker to the corner, Gonzalez rams Taker’s leg into the ringpost repeatedly.

Superstars (February 20, 1993) – Bearer tells Wippleman that before WrestleMania, Gonzalez needs to realize that death and courage are closely related. Taker tells us that Gonzalez opened the container that holds all that is evil and unholy and he will be destroyed at WrestleMania.

Raw (March 8, 1993) – From a graveyard, Bearer says nobody has done anything like Gonzalez did to his Undertaker. Taker says that the others who have tried this lay behind him now.

Superstars (March 20, 1993) – In front of the Mania IX green screen, Bearer tells Wippleman that courage and death are related again and sometimes death is the price of courage. Taker says the same exact thing he said a month earlier on Superstars. I think its the same promo in fact, just in front of a different background.

WrestleMania IX – Undertaker vs Giant Gonzalez. The voice of Jim Ross greets us for the first time as Gonzalez runs Taker into the steel stairs. In the ring, Gonzalez tries to chop Taker down but Taker keeps standing. Taker kicks Gonzalez to the corner but is struck down again. Giant staggers to one knee as Taker picks up Wippleman from the apron who throws a cloth into the ring. Gonzalez smothers Taker with the cloth as the announcers say it smells like chloroform. Taker fades as the referee calls for the bell. Taker fades to the mat as Randy Savage notes that this could kill Taker. The officials come in to check on Taker as Gonzalez swipes at a few of them. The EMTs in togas try to take Undertaker as Gonzalez chokeslams a referee. They roll Taker away on the stretcher. The fans chant “Hogan,” who thankfully does not appear. The bell tolls and Taker comes walking back from the back, Gonzalez in shock. Back in the ring, they trade blows and Taker takes Gonzalez down with a series of running clotheslines. Gonzalez rolls out and leaves as Bearer restrains Taker. Fink announces Taker as the winner by DQ.

Superstars (May 1, 1993) – Raymond Rougeau has the duo on the interview stage. Bearer says Taker is unstoppable and the most powerful entity walking the face of the earth. Taker tells Gonzalez that he is tried of his attempts at destruction, so he will draw power from the souls of the deceased and the souls of the living. He invites Gonzalez to his element, telling him he must enter the world of the darkside.

Superstars (June 12, 1993) – Undertaker vs PJ Walker. Taker chokeslams Walker for the pin as Gonzalez walks to the ring. Gonzalez and Taker square off, only for Mr .Hughes to come behind and grab the urn from Bearer after hitting him with a sidewalk slam. Hughes knocks Taker with the urn, beating him to the mat as Savage declares it a setup. Well yeah. Hughes continues to strike Taker with the urn as Hughes knocks Bearer over the head again.

Raw (July 5, 1993) – Undertaker vs Samu. For the first time, the lights go out for a Taker entrance. The spotlight follows Taker to the ring. We cut to later in the match as Taker throws Samu into the ringpost.Taker drops an elbow as Heenan notes Undertaker is looking around lost without the urn. Samu takes Taker down with a side suplex, dropping a headbutt. Taker tries to sit up but can’t. Samu goes up and hits the flying headbutt but doesn’t cover Taker. He slaps Taker, then goes up for a second. Taker sits up this time, Samu diving into the mat. Taker chokeslams Samu, Tombstones him and gets the win.

Raw (July 12, 1993) – Mr .Hughes is set for his match as a man carries a floral arrangement to the ring. We focus in to see “Rest in Peace” with a card for Mr. Hughes on it. Hughes wins his match and goes out to the arrangement, reading the card that says “Rest in Peace – from the Undertaker.” Hughes rips the card and throws the wreath down, tearing it apart as commentary makes fun of how long it took Hughes to read the card.

Raw (July 26, 1993) – Hughes is in another match as another wreath is delivered. Meanwhile, Heenan questions what a “Rest in Peace Match” even is. Hughes wins quickly as Heenan notes that President Clinton likes flowers on his desk every morning.

Superstars (July 31, 1993) – We’re in the King’s Court with Jerry Lawler and the Undertaker, who is making lights go off and on. Lawler cracks the one-liners as Taker stares on, noting that the urn is missing. Lawler says that Hughes doesn’t know what’s in the urn, but he’s going to shove Undertaker into it. Taker grabs Lawler’s hand and says Lawler is too consumed with his personal belongings and should be concerned with how close he is standing to death’s door. Then he tells Hughes that he has something that belongs to him and he will bring him to his demise quickly if he returns it, but if he has to come looking for it, it’ll be a slow, agonizing death.

Superstars (August 28, 1993) – Taker is digging a grave, saying that someone is beginning a journey into the darkside. He tells Gonzalez that he will lay his rotting carcass into the rotting earth and Gonzalez will know the meaning of “rest in peace.”

SummerSlam 1993 – Undertaker vs Gonzalez. It’s the Rest in Peace match. As they fight, the bell tolls and Paul Bearer walks down the aisle, carrying a wreath of his own. Wippleman charges at Bearer but is slugged down. Bearer walks over and grabs the urn, reunited at last. Taker sits up as Bearer raises the urn. Taker chops Gonzalez and takes him down with several running clotheslines and a final one from the top rope. Taker sets Gonzalez up and pins him, winning the match. Taker places the Rest in Peace wreath next to Gonzalez, Vince declaring that now we know what a Rest in Peace Match is. Sure.

Superstars (September 25, 1993) – On the interview stand, Jim Cornette says nobody stands the chance of defeating Yokozuna and taking his WWF Title. The lights go out and when they come back on, the bell tolls and Taker is behind Cornette. The crowd is loud! Bearer says that when you speak of fear, all you have to do is look into the Undertaker’s eyes where you won’t see any. Taker and Yoko go face to face, Taker challenging Yoko to bring the belt and his soul to the darkside.

Superstars (October 2, 1993) – We’re in the Face-to-Face segment, with Yoko’s crew and Team Taker. Cornette says that Taker might be impervious to others’ pain, but he won’t be for Yoko’s pain. He tells Bearer that Fuji can counter him, and Yokozuna will break Undertaker’s brittle bones. Bearer calls it a fatal mistake by letting Cornette and Fuji sign Yoko’s death warrant. Bearer exclaims what a bonfire Yokozuna will make as Taker tells Yokozuna he is the most powerful entity in the WWF and he will take his belt and his soul.

Superstars (November 13, 1993) – Lex Luger and the Steiners introduce their new Survivor Series tag team partner… The Undertaker. Taker talks about walking alone and eternal darkness. He says he stands tall in his beliefs and stands by what he believes in, American pride. He says he will stand with them and he will survive with them, opening his dust jacket to reveal the flag as he declares “let freedom ring and let this Foreign Fanatics rest in peace.” And then he maintained character by wearing Nine Line tees for the rest of his life.

Superstars (November 20, 1993) – The All-Americans cut a promo backstage, Lex Luger talking about red, white and blue fever. Bearer says the Undertaker is proud to be a part of this team and represents all Americans who have gone before him.

Survivor Series 1993 – All-Americans vs Foreign Fanatics. Yoko misses a splash on Luger, who tags in the deadman. Taker kicks Yoko and whips him into the ropes, bouncing off himself for a DDT. Taker goes for several running clotheslines but runs into Ludvig Borga, then turning around into a suplex by Yoko. Taker sits up again, runs into a clothesline, sits up, and falls to a legdrop. Yoko drags Taker into the corner and sets up the Banzai Drop. Yoko crashes down on Taker, hitting the move and then missing a second as Taker sits up. Taker takes Yoko to the mat with a flying clothesline. They go outside and Yoko rams Taker’s head into the steps, Taker then does the same to Yoko. The referee counts both men out.

Superstars (December 18, 1993) – Undertaker is building another casket, this one double wide and double deep. Bearer notes that “rest in peace” is inside the casket in glow in the dark paint, which is a nice touch for their guest.

Superstars (December 25, 1993) – It’s Christmas and Undertaker has checked his list twice, Bearer notes, with Fuji being naughty. He says tis is the season for Undertaker to be jolly as he is crafting a casket for Yokozuna. Taker promises to gift wrap Yokozuna. “Merry Christmas, Yokozuna. Ho. Ho. Ho.”

Superstars (January 1, 1994) – Bearer welcomes us to a brand new year, reflecting on past mistakes. He says it is also a time to look forward to the future, though Yokozuna’s 1994 will be the year of the casket. Taker: “I’ve made my New Year’s resolution, Yokozuna. May you rest in peace.” It’s okay, nobody keeps resolutions.

Superstars (January 8, 1994) – As the fans chant “rest in peace,” Yokozuna wins a handicap match by Banzai Dropping both men. The lights go off as Bearer appears on the video screen. He notes this is one time only, but the fine print of the contract says it would be a casket match. Yoko shows fear as Taker says it will only take him one time to make Yokozuna rest in peace. He says he doesn’t make mistakes, he buries them.

Superstars (January 15, 1994) – Bearer welcomes us back to the workshop, where Taker has finished the 1994 model casket. Bearer pulls the cloth off and we see the double wide, double deep wooden casket. Bearer opens it and shows the red-lined inside, noting it’ll be a ride Yokozuna never forgets. Taker says the only thing Yokozuna will hear is the hounds of hell.

Raw (January 17, 1994) – With the casket near, Yoko goes to open it but Undertaker jumps out at him. Yoko wobbles away in fear, falling in the aisleway as Crush on commentary talks about Taker being in the casket at the Rumble.

Royal Rumble 1994 – Undertaker vs Yokozuna. We join with both men down but Taker gets up first. He calls for Bearer to open the casket and begins rolling Yoko towards it. With Yoko in, he goes to close the lid but is attacked by Crush. Crush hammers Taker into the ring but is taken down by a running clothesline. Crush is knocked out of the ring as the Great Kabuki runs in to attack Taker. Tenryu joins him and he takes them both down with a double clothesline. He goes to close it again, but Bam Bam Bigelow joins the party. Taker and Bam Bam double team Taker in the corner. Yoko is still out in the casket. Fuji has the urn at ringside as they attempt to toss Taker in. Bearer kicks Fuji in the nuts and steals the urn back, trying to get the deadman back up. Taker rises and starts beating the entire group of men, Vince declaring he is going to bury them all.

Adam Bomb joins the fray and Taker has Fuji’s salt bucket, smacking it on everyone’s head. Jeff Jarrett runs in and leaps from the top right into the salt bucket. Ain’t he great? The Headshrinkers join and the numbers game is finally getting to Taker. Diesel joins because why not. They roll Taker into the casket but Taker bursts out the door, fighting back again. Yoko grabs the urn from Bearer and slugs him off the apron. Yoko nails Taker with the urn and rips the lip off, green smoke spewing from the urn. With the suspected power of the urn escaping, so does Taker’s power. After hitting a series of finishers on him, the men drag him into the casket. Bigelow closes it and lays on top as they lock the casket, Yoko winning the match. As they roll it back, the bell tolls and smoke starts flowing from the casket. The lights flicker off and the video screen flickers on, showing a view of Taker inside the casket. Taker says that the spirit of the Undertaker lives in the soul of all mankind and the eternal flame of life cannot be extinguished. He will not rest in peace. The screen flickers as he begins to rise from the video screen to the arena ceiling, though it’s almost too dark to see.

Superstars (January 29, 1994) – Paul Bearer wheels the casket to the ringside as Vince declares it a tribute to the spirit of The Undertaker as they replay his last comments.

Superstars (February 5, 1994) – Bearer is in the cemetery and feels the spirit of The Undertaker all around. He feels it the strongest where he is as we see a shadow of the Undertaker on a nearby building. Bearer says his Undertaker is not gone and we have to remember what Taker said, which we just heard twice. Taker promises Undertaker will return

And that was the last we ever heard of The Undertaker… or was it? There is a chapter three in this series, so probably not. At least we know there won’t be TWO Undertakers, because that would be crazy.

If you’d like more Vault stuff to read in the meantime, please check out KatStack! I review three Vault matches exclusively on KatStack every week and throw in some bonuses every now and then.