Highlights
- The Undertaker's commitment to his characters set him apart in the wrestling industry and contributed to the longevity of his career.
- During a lighthearted post-RAW segment, Vince McMahon and other wrestlers attempted to break The Undertaker's character by convincing him to do a Spinaroonie, but he refused.
- Vince McMahon still feels frustrated that he couldn't get The Undertaker to break character and do the Spinaroonie, showing the extent of The Undertaker's commitment to his character.
In professional wrestling, where scripted personas meet unscripted moments, few figures command as much respect and curiosity as The Undertaker. While his on-screen presence sent shivers down spines, it was his unwavering commitment to character that elevated him to legendary status. However, hidden within the annals of his three-decade-long career lies a night that tested The Deadman's resolve like never before. On a fateful post-RAW evening in 2002, a seemingly innocuous rib attempted by fellow wrestlers, including the boss himself, unraveled into a battle of wills. This untold WWE tale reveals a side of The Undertaker rarely seen. a moment when even Vince McMahon couldn't make the Deadman do his bidding.
The Undertaker's Commitment To His Deadman And American Badass Gimmick
The Undertaker Would Never Break Character
The Undertaker's career in WWE spanned an astonishing three decades, marked by a commitment to character rarely seen in the world of professional wrestling. From his debut in 1990 as The Deadman, a mysterious and supernatural entity, to his evolution into the rebellious biker known as the American Badass, The Undertaker's ability to embody and maintain the essence of his characters set him apart.
In the wrestling industry, where performers often navigate various gimmicks and personas, The Undertaker's steadfast dedication to his characters, both inside and outside the squared circle, became a hallmark of his legacy. Whether he was engaging in chilling promos, dominating opponents in the ring, or making public appearances, The Undertaker maintained an unbroken continuity that captivated audiences worldwide. This commitment to character not only elevated The Undertaker's status as a legendary figure in WWE, but also contributed significantly to the longevity of his career. His fellow wrestlers and Vince McMahon found this out when they all tried their best to make him break character as a rib.
The Undertaker's First Meeting With Vince McMahon Was A Disaster
The Undertaker and Vince McMahon are very close friends now, but the first time they met in WWE didn't go well for the future Deadman.Vince McMahon Tried To Get Undertaker To Do A Takeroonie
A Takeroonie Was A Playful Name For Booker T's Spinaroonie
Date | Event |
|---|---|
August 12, 2002 | Post-WWE RAW segment featuring Takeroonie |
In a lighthearted post-RAW segment on the night of August 12, 2002, following an intense tag team match involving The Undertaker, The Rock, Booker T, and Goldust against The Un-Americans and Triple H, the atmosphere took a turn for the comical. The wrestlers, caught in a playful mood, decided to engage in a rib, targeting none other than The Deadman himself. Seizing the opportunity to break The Undertaker's legendary character, all these Superstars, along with Vince McMahon, gathered in the ring after the match's conclusion. The idea was simple yet amusing: they wanted The Undertaker to perform Booker T's signature Spinaroonie, affectionately dubbed the "Takeroonie" for this particular occasion.
As the charismatic Booker T demonstrated the Spinaroonie with his trademark flair, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. It was now The Undertaker's turn to let loose and participate in this playful dance, but he refused. One by one, his partners and opponents approached him, encouraging, cajoling, and even demonstrating the Spinaroonie themselves. Triple H, Goldust, The Rock, and even Vince McMahon took their turns doing their hilarious versions of Spinaroonies. They asked The Undertaker to join but he still refused with a smirk on his face. In a later interview with Chris Van Vliet, The Undertaker revealed that the entire Takeroonie rib was a surprise to him. He said:
"Booker T swerved me. We've been doing this same match after TV tapings that was our advertised dark match. We've been doing it for weeks, and, you know, every night I'd get on there and say, 'Let's have Booker do a Spinaroonie,' everybody go crazy. Well, Booker gets the microphone one night and completely swerved me, which was all set up. Vince was in on it, everybody was in on it. I always told him [Vince McMahon], 'I don't care who you are, what you do, you'll never get me to do that.' And you don't tell Vince that you can't or won't do something, because it becomes his passion in life. But I can honestly say he never got me to do a Takeroonie. So, I won. That's the one battle I won with Vince.”
Vince McMahon & The Undertaker's Long Lasting Friendship, Explained
For over thirty years, through ups and downs in WWE, The Undertaker and Vince McMahon have had a close relationship.The Undertaker Says Vince McMahon Is Still Mad
Vince McMahon Failed To Get The Undertaker To Break Character
The Undertaker later disclosed on his Six Feet Under podcast that Vince McMahon, to this day, harbors some frustration over the failed attempt to break The Undertaker's character. He said:
"It comes up quite a bit. It burns his ass. Let me just say this, he's ribbed me on so many occasions, and he's got me really good, but he never got me to do that Spinaroonie. That's the only carrot that I can hang on his head. As silly as that sounds, that bothers him. I mean, he's the boss is the boss, right? He gets everything that he wants , and the fact that he couldn't get me to do the Spinaroonie, I think he lays awake at night thinking about it. Like, 'I couldn't get him to do it,' and it was a great effort to try.”
In post-retirement, The Undertaker has embraced a more candid side through interviews, podcasts, and documentaries, now free from the constraints of his character. He continues to share untold tales from his storied career. But unlike today, back then, there was no breaking The Deadman. The Takeroonie incident stands as a testament to The Undertaker's unparalleled commitment to his character, leaving an indelible mark on WWE history and Vince McMahon's memories.
