NOVEMBER 1990 - JANUARY 1994 .......... Symbolised by the original western look with a black overcoat, hat, grey leather gloves and grey boot-covers. The birth of this persona was at the Undertaker's debut at the 1990 Survivor Series. Always remaining a quiet character, originally lead by Brother Love, until aligning himself with Paul Bearer during a segment called the Brother Love Show. This was the beginning of a long time partnership that would have many twists and turns in nearly all of Undertaker's facets. The persona itself can be split into two halves in that he was originally a heel from his debut, including his minor feud with Hulk Hogan in late 1991 where he defeated Hogan to win the WWF Title. Rescuing Miss Elizabeth from the hands of Jake "The Snake" Roberts just before WrestleMania VIII in 1992 and then his defeat over Jake at WrestleMania VIII, lead to the Undertaker's babyface turn during which he feuded with Kamala and Giant Gonzalez. We also saw the introduction of the Casket Match which put fear into the hearts of his opponents and was eventually the demise of the Western Undertaker as he "died" and ascended to the heavens as a result of being entombed in a casket at the 1994 Royal Rumble.
AUGUST 1994 - OCTOBER 1996 ....... The Undertaker returned from the dead at SummerSlam 1994 with an updated attire, wearing purple leather gloves, purple boot-covers, etc. to take on Ted DiBiase's fake Undertaker. This persona continued through to the Undertaker's revenge on Yokozuna, his feuds with Kama and Mabel, Goldust and Mankind. It was during this era that he wore a grey mask, fought in a Boiler Room Brawl and was betrayed by Paul Bearer. Undertaker participated in the first ever Buried Alive Match against Mankind at In Your House 1996, winning the match but the Executioner interfered afterwards, burying the Undertaker alive signalling the end of this era.
NOVEMBER 1996 - DECEMBER 1998 ......... The Undertaker was reborn again a month after being buried alive. This time he descended to the ring from the rafters in black leather attire and bat-like wings. The long-term feud with Mankind was temporarily sealed shut, as was a defeat over The Executioner. Into 1997, 'Taker focused his attention on winning the Royal Rumble and The Final Four. Failing in both he was finally granted a shot at the WWF Championship at WrestleMania 13 on Raw. After winning the WWF Championship Undertaker told his Creatures of the Night that this gave birth to the dark days of the WWF. He went on to hold the title for 5 months before losing to Bret "Hit Man" Hart at SummerSlam 1997. This title loss was the birth of a feud with Shawn Michaels, including the first-ever "Hell in a Cell" match and a Casket match. The Phenom also faced the challenge of his brother Kane who set him on fire inside a casket at Royal Rumble 1998, resulting in an historic match at WrestleMania XIV and an Inferno match. The two brothers briefly became allies against Stone Cold Steve Austin at one point, then turned on Vince McMahon and then the Phenom turned on Kane, realigning himself with Paul Bearer.
JANUARY 1999 - SEPTEMBER 1999 .......... Still with Austin and Kane set in his sights, towards the end of 1998, the Undertaker began speaking of a Ministry of evil and the dark days that would soon be taking over the WWF. This was the first sign of the Undertaker becoming more demonic than ever before. Austin was crucified on an Undertaker symbol and almost embalmed in a sacrifice. However, Kane assisted Austin in burying the Undertaker alive at December 1998's PPV. When the Undertaker returned just before the 1999 Royal Rumble, he was draped in a black hooded cloak with a Satan-like beard. The Lord of Darkness began selecting members for his evil Ministry of Darkness. The Undertaker met again with the likes of Austin and The Rock in WWF Championship action. The siding with Shane McMahon and unveiling of the "Higher Power" (Vince McMahon) later led to the formation of the Corporate Ministry, one of the biggest factions in the WWF ever. However, after losing the WWF Championship, the Undertaker took the Big Show under his wing and the two giants forming the Unholy Alliance, along with Paul Bearer and began searching out the Tag Team Titles. In September 1999 when the Undertaker was told by Vince he would have to earn his shot at the WWF Championship, 'Taker expressed his refusal to keep on taking orders from Vince and walked out on the WWF on SmackDown!
MAY 2000 - DECEMBER 2001 After 8 months time-off due to real life injuries, the Undertaker made his long-awaited return at Judgment Day in May 2000. However, the days of pitch black, blue fog and church organ music entrances were gone. The Undertaker was now an American Bad Ass biker complete with sunglasses, bandana, leather trench coat and motorcycle. The Badass allowed everyone to see a new side to the Undertaker, he was still one of the most dominant forces in the WWF but he appeared more human. He introduced us to his wife Sara, who was being stalked by DDP at the time, but it was soon apparent she could fight her own battles. The Undertaker soon found his way back into WWF Championship action towards the end of 2000. In 2001, the American Bad Ass formed an alliance with Kane. The Brothers of Destruction were on a war path for the Tag Team Titles. After supporting Team WWF at the InVasion 2001 against WCW/ECW's Team Alliance, then Undertaker and Kane seemed to go their separate ways.
DECEMBER 2001 - NOVEMBER 2003 ............ In probably the most shocking of the Phenom's heel turns Undertaker attacked JR on Raw, fed up of kissing Vince's ass for all those years, he decided he had, had enough. The Undertaker now had a new shaved haircut dyed jet black. Leading into 2002, the Undertaker had a new kick-ass, take-no-sh*t, brawling attitude, arguably more aggressive than ever before. He had now assumed the Red Devil Big Evil persona, defeating Rob Van Dam for the Hardcore Championship at Vengeance 2001, winning the WWE Championship from Hulk Hogan at Judgment Day 2002 and having a feud with Brock Lesnar towards the end of 2002, culminating in a Hell in a Cell match. Throughout 2003, Big Evil encountered the Big Show and A-Train on numerous occasions. He met with Brock Lesnar again in a Biker Chain match and then with the boss Vince McMahon in a Buried Alive match. This resulted in the Undertaker being buried alive with the help of his psychotic brother Kane.
MARCH 2004 - PRESENT .................. For three years the Undertaker showed a different side to himself, a more human side, but after a series of traumatic events resulting in him being buried alive, he returned as the Deadman at WrestleMania XX. The Hybrid was originally a culmination of all his previous personas, dressed in his Big Evil attire accompanied by a long leather trench coat and hat. Paul Bearer returned by his side but was soon deposed of by 'Taker himself, as he was a weakness the Phenom couldn't afford. He feuded with JBL most notably in an attempt to become a five time WWE Champion, however his chances were thwarted by the psychotic Heidenreich. Other memorable feuds included those against Randy Orton, Kurt Angle and Mr. Kennedy. Undertaker updated his attire within this persona going back to his routes, with tights as part of a full body suit, as a sign of a gradual transition back to the Original Deadman. In late 2006, Kane switched to the SmackDown roster, where Undertaker had permanently been since 2002. This led to the Brother's of Destruction reuniting on a semi-permanent basis for the next couple of months. Early 2007, was arguably the Undertaker's most successful year of any of his personas, winning the Royal Rumble and getting an automatic World Title Match at WrestleMania. With the option of choosing any of the three champions, The Undertaker challenged the SmackDown Champion, Batista. The Undertaker defeated Batista, at WrestleMania 23 to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. He claimed his fifth World Championship. On SmackDown, 5/11/07, after a helacious Steel Cage Match with Batista, he was brutually attacked by Mark Henry. After the attack, Edge cashed in his, newly won Money in the Bank briefcase, and challenged The Undertaker to a title match. After a HELACIOUS Cage match with Batista, a BRUTAL attack by Mark Henry, and 2 Spears from Edge. The Deadman finally got pinned and lost his World Heavyweight Title to Edge. The Undertaker returned at Unforgiven, successfully defeating Mark Henry with a Last Ride from the corner and again on SmackDown! 2 weeks later with a Chokeslam. Batista and Undertaker re-ignited their storyline feud at Cyber Sunday where the fans chose Guest Referee Stone Cold Steve Austin, but Batista retained the world title after two Batista Bombs. They battled again inside Hell in a Cell at Survivor Series where Edge returned and interfered by giving Undertaker a con-chair-to and pulling an unconscious Batista on top of Undertaker for the pinfall to retain the World Heavyweight Championship. In response to this, Undertaker delivered a Tombstone piledriver to General Manager Vickie Guerrero, on the next SmackDown!, storyline-wise sending her to the hospital. Returning Assistant-GM Theodore Long declared a Triple Threat match for the title at Armageddon. Edge won the match by pinning Batista, who had been given a Tombstone Piledriver which was followed by Undertaker being hit with a chair while he attempted the pinfall.On the January 4, 2008 edition of SmackDown!, the Undertaker competed in a Beat the Clock challenge, attempting to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble against Mark Henry with Matt Striker as the Special Guest Referee. Undertaker eventually hit Henry with a Chokeslam and pinned him, but Striker pulled his hand away and exited the ring before the three-count, resulting in The Undertaker not beating the clock. Later in the night the Undertaker, along with Batista, interfered in Rey Mysterio's match, helping him defeat the champion himself, Edge, to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. But despite this, Mysterio failed to defeat Edge at The Royal Rumble. Undertaker, in a complete turn from his win in 2007, drew number 1, and was eliminated by the man who he eliminated for the win the year prior, Shawn Michaels.A month later at No Way Out, Undertaker defeated Batista, Finlay, The Great Khali, Montel Vontavious Porter and Big Daddy V in a SmackDown/ECW Elimination Chamber, to become the number one contender for Edge's World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXIV. He defeated Edge at WrestleMania to win his 6th World Heavyweight title and elevate his undefeated streak at WrestleMania to 16-0. After WM 24, his fued with Edge continued to Backlash. That's were Edge invoked his rematch clause. After a brutal match, The Undertaker retained his World Title after making Edge tap out to his "Death Sentence." After the bell rung, Undertaker refused to relinquish the hold. Afterwards, Edge began to spit up blood and was escorted out the arena on a stretcher. The following SmackDown, Undertaker was stripped of his World Title by GM Vickie Guererro. She also banned his "Death Sentence" stating that Undertaker had no remorse for his opponents that he demolished with this painful submission hold.
