on "Byte This" 19 April 2002
Undertaker joins the show.
Taker says that the upcoming match with Austin will be unlike any of the others they’ve had before.
"And this time," he says, "I gotta keep looking over my shoulder with Ric Flair as the special referee. You can be sure he’s gonna try something."
Taker says that, for the first time in a long while, both he and Austin are healthy at the same time. That means the intensity they will bring to the match will be at the highest level ever.
Dr. Tom asks Taker who will win the Undisputed Championship?
Taker says he doesn’t care. He will win the Title from whoever holds the Belt.
"I beat HHH, no problem there," says Taker, "and though Hogan may be riding the wave right now, sooner or later that wave will hit the beach. I’m the beach."
The next caller says that Smackdown needs to have a testimonial award show about Undertaker’s unblemished Wrestlemania record.
Taker says he’s proud of that record, and that he wants to push it to 11-0 at Wrestlemania 19.
Kelly asks if the Undisputed Title is a good idea?
Taker says yes, because it settles the question of who is The Best once and for all.
"The Title of Undisputed Champion has brought a whole new meaning to being a wrestler," says Taker, "Who wouldn’t want to wear that Title Belt around their waist?"
Changing topics, Dr. Tom asks about Kane’s recent injury, and how it has temporarily derailed Kane’s latest push.
Taker says that he was there in the gym when the injury occurred. Not, as had been reported earlier, at the house show in Odessa, TX.
"It really got Kane down when it happened," says Taker, "but he’s tough. He will be back, and better than ever. And God help anybody who gets in his way."
Discussing his personal life, Taker describes how his life has changed from being a party animal to the reality of training and rehabbing injuries, and training, and watching what he eats, and training, and upping his cardio to keep his weight at 305 rather than 345.
"Because of this," he says," I can still keep up with the young guys who are coming along."
Topic shifts to Bradshaw’s latest push.
Taker says that Bradshaw never took himself seriously before.
"To make it to that next level," says Taker, "you have to lay it all on the line just to get there. Putting Bradshaw by himself on Raw has forced him to finally realize what an opportunity he has in front of him. He knows what to do. The question is, will he do it?"
Kelly asks Taker’s opinion of Brock Lesnar.
"At 6’5", 290, Lesnar’s a major force to be reckoned with," says Taker, "but only as long as he stays grounded and doesn’t get the big head. None of this "Hey, I’m a WWF superstar"-bit. If there’s somebody I think is stepping over that line, and getting too wrapped up in themselves, I’ll step in and tell them not to settle for so little right now when you’ve got all this other just ahead of you. Sometimes they listen to me. And sometimes, they don’t deserve what they get, so I let them hang themselves. That way, they wind up getting exactly what they deserve."
Next caller wants to know about the last time Taker faced Hulk Hogan almost eleven years ago, and if he could do it again?
"I beat him eleven years ago," says Taker, "I was a kid. Now, I’ve got way more savvy than I had back then. I’d beat the hell out of him now."
From the Chatroom, a really embarrassed girl fan asks Taker if he’s a boob man or an ass man?
"If you look at my wife Sara," says Taker, "you’ll get an idea of what I like."
Kelly asks Taker’s opinion of Sara’s "Day at the Beach" photo spread for the WWF Divas?
Taker says it was a side of Sara he’d never seen; she really got into what she was doing.
Dr. Tom tells Taker that Wahoo McDaniel passed on, and Taker says Wahoo will be missed a lot. "He was one of the reasons I am where I am today."
Caller Jason from Georgia has a sister who is too embarrassed to ask what the initials tattooed on Taker’s arm mean?
"It’s the initials of the club I ride with," says Taker.
Kelly asks Taker’s opinion about the trouble Jackie and Pete are in on Tough Enough 2.
"My philosophy is that you never crap where you sleep," says Taker, "These people don’t realize the opportunity they have. While they are caught up in all that drama, the others are moving further along in their training, and that will make the difference when it’s time for the next set of cuts to occur."
Taker also says he has great respect for Maven.
"No matter how many times he gets knocked down, he keeps getting up," says Taker, "he’s got a great future in the ring. Just so long as he’s not facing me."
Kelly reminds Taker of ten years ago, when Ric Flair helped Taker beat Hulk Hogan for the Championship.
"Flair knows all about that, just like I do," says Taker, "and he also knows that if he tries anything like that on me this time around, well, in his own words, there will be hell…to…pay!"
Kelly and Dr.Tom thank the Undertaker coming on the show, and Taker leaves.
Go back to the other interviews
