Are WWE trying to 'humanize' Undertaker?

[MoFo]

Something I noticed on SmackDown! It seems like the WWE are trying to humanise the Dead Man. First of all, he used Johnny Cash's "Ain't No Grave" as his theme music and during the promo he cut on Triple H, he spoke like a regular person.

Usually he goes on about how "the demons have tried to defeat him before and he's slaughtered them all, yada yada" but there was none of that deadman talk this week.

They started to call him 'Last Outlaw' instead of 'Deadman' and his matches are equal instead of squash matches now too.

Wat r yr thoughts on dis.

[Damian Rey]

Well, they humanized him before, so it's not like this is new.

I didn't know he used the Cash song as an entrance theme. If so, boourns. The bell gongs are pop machines, and the music is very iconic, so I don't see the need in changing it.

Squash matches are only going to get you so far. The minuet Taker looked vulnerable (human) and showed that he can lose, he can be hurt, etc, is the moment his character became more interesting. The payoff to that is also the ability to put on better matches, which he has done. I've always felt that the ABA gimmick was a great change of pace when it happened in that it allowed him to expand his in ring style made him a better performer.

I actually wouldn't mind the cheesy "demon"-themed promos to be phased out, honestly. I find them to be pretty campy. A mention or two here and there is fine, but when he's referencing his dead-ness for a whole promo, it limts him on how powerful a promo he can give, and sometimes comes off as pretty goofy.

[Aguakate]

Yeah, they've done it before, especially when Kane first came up, the whole story and angle...before that, when Paul Bearer turned on him...

...so it's nothing new. They probably ARE trying to re-invent his character a bit, or perhaps are paving the way for his eventual retirement, who knows?

[Fox]

I haven't seen the segment but if they are trying to go a more human route with Undertaker then I say it's a great idea. This is 2011. As legendary as his character is, the bullshit antics where he can turn off the arena lights and have "supernatural powers" (like in his angles with Kane and Orton) are just stupid. We know he's a bad ass, we know he's gothic - pushing that further with all the "magical powers" shit is just childish and actually hurts him more than it makes him look cool.

Now, if he turned heel and started crucifying bitches again, I'd be all for it.

[TazFTW86]

I haven't seen the segment but if they are trying to go a more human route with Undertaker then I say it's a great idea. This is 2011. As legendary as his character is, the bullshit antics where he can turn off the arena lights and have "supernatural powers" (like in his angles with Kane and Orton) are just stupid. We know he's a bad ass, we know he's gothic - pushing that further with all the "magical powers" shit is just childish and actually hurts him more than it makes him look cool.

Now, if he turned heel and started crucifying bitches again, I'd be all for it.

Well it is PG, fits for lil kids to "believe" he has special powers

[Emperor Smeat]

They've "humanize" him before with the biggest change being the Biker/Badass version of Taker.

Once every few years the Undertaker changes most of his character as a way to stay fresh but it makes sense due to having a long career and needs to find ways to stay fresh or interesting with all the times the crowd has changed.

Hogan's character staid the same for over a decade before he became Hollywood Hogan and brought new life into his career.

[Theo Dious]

Seems like less of trying to "humanize" him and more just a way to not do the same thing he's done for the past few years.

[Aguakate]

Seems like less of trying to "humanize" him and more just a way to not do the same thing he's done for the past few years.

Exactly...a "re-invention" of sorts. Changing a couple minor details, without completely moving away from what made him who he is in the first place, so to speak.

[Nicky Fives]

maybe dead people aren't PG......

[Theo Dious]

Weekend at Bernie's was PG13.

[Theo Dious]

Apparently so was Men At Work.

[Loose Cannon]

remember when Taker turned heel by making JR join Vince's Kiss My Ass Club? lol. so random

[DLVH84]

The Undertaker had always kept evolving. His persona, his moveset, etc.

I thought it was pretty damn cool of him using submission holds.

[El Tigre]

I think this whole "re-invention" is sort of like a swan song for the phenom. He no longer considers him as the unbeatable entity but rather the sole survivor of a forgotten generation, he's an outlaw because he refuses to conform with the PG era, and because of that he probably won't be around for much longer.

Don't get me wrong, I actually find this new persona quite enjoyable: His promos come off as more "human" while still containing that demonic atmosphere to them, which keeps him fresh without having to completely revamp himself (such as the case during the biker phase). So if his retirement is imminent, I'd rather see him go out in style rather than becoming stale and forgotten.

On the subject of submission holds, doesn't he have two in his arsenal? I know one is that triangle choke 'Hell's Gate', but didn't he also use a sort of standing dragon sleeper at one point in his career?

[Hanso Amore]

I miss Big Evil

[Swiss Ultimate]

I miss Injured Taker.

[DLVH84]

I think this whole "re-invention" is sort of like a swan song for the phenom. He no longer considers him as the unbeatable entity but rather the sole survivor of a forgotten generation, he's an outlaw because he refuses to conform with the PG era, and because of that he probably won't be around for much longer.

Don't get me wrong, I actually find this new persona quite enjoyable: His promos come off as more "human" while still containing that demonic atmosphere to them, which keeps him fresh without having to completely revamp himself (such as the case during the biker phase). So if his retirement is imminent, I'd rather see him go out in style rather than becoming stale and forgotten.

On the subject of submission holds, doesn't he have two in his arsenal? I know one is that triangle choke 'Hell's Gate', but didn't he also use a sort of standing dragon sleeper at one point in his career?

Hells Gate is a modified gogoplata, not a triangle choke. His Dragon Sleeper is called Taking Care Of Business.

[Nightwing]

I caught it live Tuesday, didnt catch the showing on tv but the vibe I got from the entrance to his promo that they are humanizing him. A new version of him for sure.

[Damian Rey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk3HX1nPGnk
Skip to 28 seconds...

I dunno....not feeling the new theme at all. maybe I'm just a little old fashioned, but I don't see how it suits him at all in terms of actual theme music. Love the song, love how they incorporated it into his promos the last few years, but his deadman music is iconic, and I saw no need whatsoever to change it.

With that said, WWE is not above changing themes back to what they were after a theme change, so we will see how long this actually lasts.

[Innovator]

I like it, and anytime someone uses Johnny Cash for an entrance, it's awesome.

[Troelar]

I just wish Taker didn't have to spend 5 minutes getting to the ring.

Might just be me, but it's kind of annoying.

[Mr. Pierre]

I thought the "new" (or one-time) theme worked pretty well. I wouldn't mind if he kept it. Makes him less cartoony (even though his Funeral March theme is classic).

[DLVH84]

The new music does define him. And with Shawn Michaels gone, he's the last man standing from my generation in WWF.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The music just isn't heavy enough for a wrestling theme. There are elements that suit Taker there, but I think they need to be brought out an emphasised. Also, I like that Taker's moving away from the cheesy shit. "Buckle up, Teddy." Was hilarious, but not exactly threatening.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Also, the best part of this thread is the chick in the sig at the top.

[dingdongyo]

I thought the "new" (or one-time) theme worked pretty well. I wouldn't mind if he kept it. Makes him less cartoony (even though his Funeral March theme is classic).
did you hear the crowd go silent when it wasn't the funeral march? dead man is dead. and people paid attention.

i hated american badass. he went from supernatural to a pop culture rip off spouting cheap t-shirt slogans. i don't mind this "last outlaw" idea though.

remember when Taker turned heel by making JR join Vince's Kiss My Ass Club? lol. so random

random meaning the heel turn, or your post?

[Xero]

Just watched the promo.

As Noid said, the music isn't heavy enough. It is NOT a wrestling theme, and should not be used again IMO, unless it's some kind of remix.

As for the promo itself, they've absolutely humanized him. It reminded me a lot of an American Bad Ass Taker promo without talking about soup bones and using biker jargon. And honestly, I have no problem with it. I wish it had happened sooner (say, 2006-2007), as this may be the last of Taker we ever see. It would have opened his feuds up a lot I think.

I see him, right now, as playing an old west-type of gimmick in the modern day. Hence the "Last Outlaw" name. The attire fits it for sure. And if it's Taker's last match, it'll be a fine way for him to "ride into the sunset".

[James Steele]

Hahahaha Triple H is going to end The Streak and TPWW will shit a collective brick. :rofl:

Anyway, I'm digging everything so far but it seems like they completely forgot they fought at WrestleMania 10 years ago. I hope they do bring it up because it will add so much to the build easily and bring out a more vicious "vintage" Triple H.

[openedup]

you owe cole 5 bucks now

[El Fangel]

I kinda agree with Zero and his old west comment. I almost can picture HHH coming to the ring in a duster and cowboy hat.

[Jeritron]

Just watched the promo.

As Noid said, the music isn't heavy enough. It is NOT a wrestling theme, and should not be used again IMO, unless it's some kind of remix.

As for the promo itself, they've absolutely humanized him. It reminded me a lot of an American Bad Ass Taker promo without talking about soup bones and using biker jargon. And honestly, I have no problem with it. I wish it had happened sooner (say, 2006-2007), as this may be the last of Taker we ever see. It would have opened his feuds up a lot I think.

I see him, right now, as playing an old west-type of gimmick in the modern day. Hence the "Last Outlaw" name. The attire fits it for sure. And if it's Taker's last match, it'll be a fine way for him to "ride into the sunset".

I think it works as a pre-theme intro. Like they did with his return. The song itself and the chains dragging is cool to set up for his entrance, and show his silhouette, but it should then go to his regular entrance theme for his actual entrance.
Similar to the King of Kings theme and All About The Game.

[Tom Guycott]

I just saw SD!, and therefore, the promo.

Firstly, the song has the potential to work as a straight theme. Hell, Drew McIntyre's is pretty fucking slow, even without half of the first verse (uh oh, I smell a YouTube mash up...) Just needs "stadium mixed" with some amped instrumentation, keep the thunder in it, and maybe even the "gong" on the hook at the last "down" and it has the potential to grow on people.

The "humanizing" aspect kind of happened vs Shawn (for example, when he had stated 'Mania was "when he can show his peers" he's every bit the bad ass he's made out to be), but the "Light vs. Dark" symbolisim with the publicly born-again Michaels was too good a hook to pass on.

The only thing I hope doesn't happen is reverting back to dressing as "Taker, Texas Ranger". We could do without that shit.

[The Naitch]

Undertaker sucks right now. Not impressed by him at all.

[Grablot]

Undertaker has been a washed up for a long time. He is hanging on by his fame and he is one of the greatest but the facts speak for themselves he is too broken down to keep going much longer. Sure he will have a classic with HHH, but everyone on the roster can have a classic with HHH cuz he knows how to make ppl look good (when he wants to).

[dingdongyo]

As Noid said, the music isn't heavy enough. It is NOT a wrestling theme, and should not be used again IMO, unless it's some kind of remix.

"macho man" randy savage used "pomp and circumstance" as a theme and made it work.

i could get into it. it's distinctive and droney and matches his character. at least 50% of the entrance themes in wwe today are guitar-slinging stadium rock, so it's nice to have more variety and more representation of the characters themselves.

[Jordan]

I love the theme. It sets a new tone for the Taker, but a powerful tone we all expect when he enters. WWE had R-Truth before Raw introduce the music and try to get people to clap with it, it's just not needed. It's haunting, and awesome and something new, which is important for The Undertaker. His look is great right now, I am really looking forward to Wrestlemania and I hope this match is the final main event.

[voncouch]

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn82/itachiandkisame/3-15.jpg

I'll just leave this here

[Volare]

Sara.....WOOF!!

[BigDaddyCool]

After seeing him on Tuesday during the Smackdown taping. No, if anything he seemed more supernatural and mysterious.

[SaskatchewanChamp]

Just watched the promo.
It is NOT a wrestling theme

It is playing while The Undertaker is making his entrance. Thus, it IS a wrestling theme. PERIOD.

[Rock Bottom]

I think humanizing Undertaker's already been explored and done. If anything I think they're trying to add more mystery to him again. They talk about 'the streak' like it's a spooky phenomenal Undertaker juju.

[Heyman]

remember when Taker turned heel by making JR join Vince's Kiss My Ass Club? lol. so random



One of the greatest moments in the WWE history in my opinion.