#131: Undertaker vs. Big Boss Man, WWE WrestleMania XV (3/28/1999).
Hello readers! This week, I am taking a look at one of the most popular gimmick matches of all time - Hell in a Cell, aka Hell in the Cell in some circles. Originally designed as a way to keep The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels in the ring together, it has since becomes a playground for some of the most violent matches in all of American wrestling.
The yearly PPV introduced in 2009 watered the stipulation down a bit, but the match type still has an aura about it that is unquestionable. Many of the most memorable moments in WWE history have taken place inside this structure. So, naturally, we're going to start things off with one of the worst matches in the gimmick's history.
This is a continuation of the issues between Undertaker and Vince McMahon. Around this time, Undertaker was the leader of the Ministry of Darkness, and he was stalking Vinceâs family, as he looked to take control of the WWE. Vince didnât take too kindly to his family being stalked, and his company being threatened, so he enlisted Big Boss Man, the bodyguard of the Corporation faction, to take care of business. Oh, and itâs inside Hell in a Cell.
Taker rushes Boss Man, and he gets cornered by the Corporation henchman. Boss Man chokes Taker and trash talks him, until Taker grabs him by the throat and throws him into the turnbuckle. Rights and lefts by Taker to the body and head. He irish whips Boss Man to the other turnbuckle, but he fights out of it with a short arm clothesline for a nearfall. Swinging neckbreaker by Boss Man, and Taker kicks out. He stomps Taker on the head, and continues his trash talk.
Taker takes Boss Man down, and unloads a barrage of punches. He kicks Boss Man into the Cell Wall. Taker grabs him and sends him back first into the wall several times. Boss Man reverses an irish whip and sends Taker into the wall now. Boss Man pulls out a pair of handcuffs. He cuffs Taker to the Cell Wall, and grabs his nightstick. Taker tries to kick Boss Man away, but he canât reach him. Boss Man uses the nightstick on Takerâs head, which ends up breaking the handcuffs by accident.
Boss Man chokes Taker with the nightstick, as The Phenom is busted open. Another hard strike to the head with the stick. Taker fights back and sends Boss Man face first into the cage. Taker grabs a chair from under the ring and slides it into the ring. A right hand to the head, followed by a chair shot to the back. Boss Man rolls into the ring, and back out. Taker follows him to the floor, and lifts Boss Man up. He sends him head first into the Cell.
Another right hand by Taker, and he rolls Boss Man into the ring. Back in the ring, Boss Man with a finger to the eye. I think Boss Man is busted open as well. Taker twists the arm around, and goes to walk the rope. Boss Man kicks his leg out from under him, and low blows him on the ropes. He kicks him to the floor. Michael Cole advertises the main event between The Rock and Steve Austin during this match, which I found hilarious.
Both men slug it out back in the ring. Taker with a low blow, and then he tries for the Tombstone. Boss Man reverses and throws Taker into the corner. He goes for a clothesline, but Taker catches him with the Tombstone. He covers, and thatâs enough for the win. The crowd...barely cares. Post Match, Taker â with the help of the Brood â hang Boss Man from the Cell roof. Hilariously, Michael Cole transitions from Boss Man being hung live on air to the WrestleMania Rage Party.
This wasnât Taker vs. Shawn Michaels. Thatâs for sure. A dull, boring Hell in a Cell Match, followed by a tasteless angle where Taker âkilledâ Boss Man. He didnât. Boss Man was fine, and would go on to eat Al Snowâs dog and steal Big Showâs dadâs coffin as the year went on. This should definitely be remembered for how shitty it was. It was a whole lot of nothing, and the crowd didnât give a damn. Boss Man played his role in 1999 well, but his role here as a player in the co main event of WrestleMania XV just didnât work.
Iâm pretty sure this is the only WrestleMania appearance for Gangrel as well, and that is honestly a shame.