It’s kinda weird that the Undertaker was around for so many years without folks questioning the character a bit more in depth. I mean, this is literally a guy who frequently mentioned wanting to bury opponents alive! You’d think there would be some kinda activist group trying to save the world that would have protested WWF events back in the early 90s. I’m not saying I’d have approved of such a protest, just that it’s surprising there weren’t. Especially when they had ammo such as this here article from the January 1993 issue of the Official World Wrestling Federation Magazine!
Entitled “Capital Punishment”, we learn from this nearly impossible to read article (whose idea was the tiniest of white text on a black background?!!!) that Taker wasn’t just looking to pin the ex-convict, he was literally wanting to end his life. The text reads thusly: “Nailz,” says the Undertaker, “you are already on death row, but you do not know it. Your end will come in just a matter of time. I, the Undertaker, have sentenced you to the ultimate penalty.”. And just in case you thought this as all a bit to subtle, we get big bold (and RED no less!) letters, explaining to all the world that learn that “The Undertaker Sentences Nailz to Death”.
The next page makes it even more clear, as we get a photo of Nailz super imposed on an electric chair! HOLY SMOKES! (Like literally in this instance, amiright?)
A two page spread follows explaining the plans Taker has for his nemesis, and we also learn that Nailz is unafraid. He tells the reader that “I’ve been buried many times – buried in a stinking cell in the catacombs of a prison. That’s worse than death.” Did prisons really have catacombs in the early 90s? Not quite sure I am buying what Nailz is selling here.
Undertaker of course rebuts, intoning (!!!) “you say you have never known fear. You say you have experienced the grace. You only think you have, because you have never been into the depths of the darkness, never felt the dank smell of the grave.” That seems pretty dark. Maybe it was a warning to all of us about the never-ending horrible matches the two would have together!