This DVD is a remastered release of an old VHS tape, or so I’ve heard. Included here are five matches, and although they aren’t exactly classics (except Undertaker vs. Undertaker, perhaps), they do give you a taste of what the Old School Undertaker was all about. If you were a fan back when he was the Deadman and would like a dive down nostalgia lane, OR, if you enjoyed his recent return as the Deadman at WrestleMania XX and want more, then by all means pick this up. The Undertaker vs. The Undertaker is worth it alone.

My review for each match:

1) The Undertaker vs. The Undertaker: Wrestling-wise, this match is passable. Storyline-wise, this match is very good. The story behind this match is that the real Taker (with Paul Bearer) was put out of action by Yokozuna in a casket match, and disappeared for a couple of months as a result. Later, the Million Dollar Man claims that he’d found the Deadman, and eventually does bring him back to the then-WWF… only it was obvious that this new Taker was a fake. Paul Bearer retaliates and challenges Ted’s Taker by offering to bring the REAL Taker back at Summerslam. Ted Dibiase and the Faker Taker accepts the challenge, and the rest is history (and on this disc).

2) The Undertaker vs. Kwang: I don’t remember much about this guy, so I assume that this was just your average RAW match up. Kwang might remind you of today’s Tajiri, though, with what his kicks and his mist. Wrestling-wise, it’s a good filler type match.

3) The Undertaker vs. Yokozuna: The casket rematch of the original bout that put Undertaker out of action. In that match, Yoko gave Undertaker a beatdown, but couldn’t put him into the casket for the win. Almost all of the heels backstage came out to help Yoko put Taker out of his misery, and they succeeded. Fast forward to Taker’s return, and we have a rematch on our hands. Actor Chuck Norris makes a cameo in this match as Taker’s enforcer, and his job is to make sure the heels don’t come down to the ring and force history to repeat itself. Wrestling-wise, it’s not bad, but not great either. The late Yokozuna does a good job of being terrified of the casket, so props (and RIP) to him.

4) The Undertaker vs. Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart: Another filler match. Match itself is OK, and the part at the end where Neidhart is knocked into the open casket is hilarious. Good to see the late Owen Hart again also (RIP). However, I have to wonder why this match was placed after the Taker/Yoko rematch, when it was obvious that that particular match took place after this one (the commentators mention about the “upcoming casket match” once or twice, and Owen himself states twice that Yoko was going to “bury the Undertaker alive!”). Oh, well. No biggie.

5) The Undertaker vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler: Video/DVD exclusive. This match is short, but sweet. This is another casket match, and it’s quite hilarious to see Lawler run around trying to avoid the inevitable. Lawler’s cowardly expressions are priceless, and he makes this match a joy to see. Taker here is, of course, vintage Deadman.

There’s a subtle but obvious theme to this disc… except for the Kwang bout, every match has had the Undertaker’s casket appear, and three of them used to “bury” his opponents (vs. Faker Taker, vs. Yokozuna, vs. The King). I suppose this would be the reason why the then-WWF chose these particular matches. In anycase, at the very cheap price, this DVD is a must-buy if you’re an Old School Taker fan. Enjoy!

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