Bruce Prichard teams up with The Undertaker in this gripping "Six Feet Under" podcast episode, revealing the full story behind WWE hiring Undertaker, his explosive debut, the company's most chaotic night, Kane's origin, and the end of their Brother Love alliance. Clocking in at over 90 minutes, the conversation uncovers raw backstage decisions, creative risks, and personal dynamics that defined wrestling's supernatural era. Fans gain unprecedented access to the Phenom's journey from Texas indies to global icon.
The Fight to Hire Mark CalawayBruce Prichard launches into his determined effort to bring Mark Calaway to WWE in 1990, highlighting Calaway's towering 6'10" physique, intense gaze, and undeniable presence spotted at Texas independent shows. Despite executive hesitation following Andre the Giant's shadow, Prichard pitched an undead undertaker character merging horror film vibes with Wild West aesthetics, complete with a signature trench coat, wide-brimmed hat, and mystical urn. He battled Vince McMahon through multiple tense meetings, underscoring Calaway's surprising agility, promo delivery, and heat-drawing potential to finally clinch the signing.
Prichard recounts early character refinement sessions where Calaway rehearsed his deliberate, guttural promos in front of mirrors to nail the eerie monotone. They road-tested elements at untelevised house shows, tweaking fog effects and casket spots based on live crowd feedback, ensuring the gimmick landed perfectly before national exposure.
Survivor Series 1990: Debut Masterclass
The discussion shifts to Undertaker's unforgettable Survivor Series 1990 showcase, where he methodically eliminated Koko B. Ware, Butch, and additional foes in a display of unstoppable dominance. Prichard details the meticulously planned entrance orchestrated by Brother Love, featuring shrouded pallbearers hauling a casket amid swirling dry ice fog and haunting organ music, all practiced relentlessly to prevent live disasters. Spectators instantly connected, unleashing spontaneous "Rest In Peace" chants that confirmed the character's immediate grip on imaginations.
Logistical nightmares abounded, from maneuvering 500-plus pounds of props without mishaps to coordinating lighting cues, yet Calaway improvised his legendary no-sell resilience on the fly—shrugging off suplexes with vacant stares and methodical sit-ups. Prichard lauds this psychological mastery as the birth of the Deadman persona, setting box office records from night one.
This Tuesday in Texas: WWE's Chaos Peak
Prichard and Undertaker relive 1991's "This Tuesday in Texas" pay-per-view, pinpointed as WWE's most infamous evening, with Undertaker shockingly dethroning Hulk Hogan via referee Earl Hebner's controversially rapid three-count. Hogan erupted in fury, savagely assaulting Hebner backstage, tearing apart turnbuckle pads in a real-life Hulk-up tantrum that sent production into disarray. Vince McMahon, incensed by the glaring botch, immediately vacated the title on the subsequent Superstars of Wrestling episode to salvage Hogan's reign and avert a potential top-star defection.
From Gorilla Position's frantic huddles to McMahon's spur-of-the-moment storyline overhauls, Prichard paints a vivid picture of fragile alliances cracking under pressure during the steroid scandal aftermath. Undertaker's unflappable demeanor amid the turmoil exemplified professionalism, subtly planting seeds for Hogan's eventual darker character explorations.
Birthing Kane: Family Feud Innovation
A centerpiece is Prichard's blueprint for Kane, Undertaker's scarred, masked sibling, devised amid late-90s Attitude Era creative droughts by expanding the urn's supernatural lore. Casting Glen Jacobs—previously Diesel and Isaac Yankem—Prichard envisioned long-term unmasking drama, scripting brutal Brawl for All clashes and perfecting Jacobs' raspy, demonic vocal timbre through trial runs. Kane's explosive Hell in a Cell debut at Badd Blood 1997 climaxed with a tombstone piledriver on Paul Bearer, igniting one of wrestling's hottest angles.
Prichard acknowledges the gamble of amplifying otherworldly elements, fearing fan pushback, but Undertaker's immersive portrayal of fraternal torment drove skyrocketing viewership. They unpack intricacies like the mask's symbolic burns, elaborate entrance pyrotechnics' safety protocols, and how the feud reinvigorated Undertaker's WrestleMania undefeated streak trajectory.
Brother Love Split: Creative Evolution
Prichard turns introspective on dissolving his Brother Love-Undertaker tandem after its electric 1990-91 run, where his flamboyant televangelist persona amplified the Deadman's mystique through fiery urn endorsements and ringside hype. Evolving narratives necessitated Paul Bearer as the new custodian to anchor family-oriented sagas, sidelining Love's exaggerated flair as Undertaker's aura darkened into pure menace. On-screen, Love's "dismissal" played as a comical exorcism, but real motivations stemmed from WWE prioritizing deeper mythology over novelty pairings.
Despite the split, Prichard emphasizes their enduring off-screen camaraderie, with Bearer's oily manipulations elevating urn-centric plots to legendary status. Humorous asides recall Love's salesman zeal peddling the artifact's "power" to skeptical crowds early on, cementing foundational buy-in.
Legacy Reflections and Timeless Lessons
Wrapping up, the pair contemplates the gimmick's four-decade staying power, from landmark WrestleMania clashes to contemporary revivals, attributing success to unwavering kayfabe dedication and adaptive evolution. They debate balancing supernatural spectacle against grounded realism, with Prichard crediting Calaway's physical commitment for blurring lines between fiction and awe. The episode culminates in mutual gratitude for a partnership forging indelible WWE landmarks, leaving listeners with profound appreciation for wrestling's collaborative artistry.
