Highlights
- WWE collaborated with SMW in the 90s for talent exchanges, allowing The Undertaker to wrestle in different promotions.
- The Undertaker and New Jack had two tag team matches in SMW, with The Undertaker’s team emerging as victors in both encounters.
- New Jack incorporated a baby doll into the match, which was praised by The Undertaker for enhancing his character.
In 1990s professional wrestling, a peculiar occurrence unfolded that defied expectations and left fans bewildered. Imagine the iconic Undertaker, firmly entrenched in WWE’s supernatural lore, stepping into the uncharted territory of Smokey Mountain Wrestling (SMW) in April 1995. This unexpected foray led to two tag team matches, featuring none other than New Jack, a master of eccentricity in the squared circle. Yet, the tale goes beyond the conventional clash of titans. A fusion of bizarre stipulations, a peculiar prop, and an unexpected endorsement from the Deadman himself happened in the story behind wrestling’s weirdest match of the ’90s.
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WWE Collaborated With Smoky Mountain Wrestling
During the mid-1990s, the landscape of professional wrestling was in flux, and collaborations between various promotions were not uncommon. In this dynamic environment, Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) and WWE found themselves engaged in a unique working relationship. SMW, a regional promotion, had established a rapport with the wrestling giant WWE, leading to talent exchanges that benefited both parties involved. In the case of The Undertaker’s surprising appearance in SMW in April 1995, it was a result of this symbiotic relationship. The collaboration allowed wrestlers to explore additional opportunities outside the constraints of their WWE contracts. Wrestlers from WWE, including The Undertaker, would participate in independent promotions like SMW, providing them with a chance to showcase their skills in different settings and earn extra income.
However, 1995 marked a turning point in these collaborations, as wrestling promotions, including WWE, began asserting dominance over the industry. The emergence of the Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW intensified the competition, and promotions became more protective of their talents. This shift signaled the end of the era where exchanges between promotions were common, making The Undertaker’s stint in SMW a unique snapshot of a transitional period in the wrestling world.
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The Undertaker Vs New Jack In Smoky Mountain Wrestling
The Undertaker And New Jack Had Two Matches In SMW
|
Date |
Match Type |
Opponents |
Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
|
April 7th 1995 |
2 on 3 Handicap Match |
Undertaker & Tracy Smothers vs. The Gangstas |
Undertaker’s Team |
|
April 8th 1995 |
3 on 3 Tag Match |
Undertaker, Tracy Smothers & Bob Armstrong vs. The Gangstas |
Undertaker’s Team |
The two tag team encounters between The Undertaker and New Jack’s factions provided a spectacle of unique proportions in the wrestling world. On April 7, 1995, the initial clash unfolded as a 2-on-3 handicap match. The team of The Undertaker and Tracy Smothers, an odd pairing in its own right, faced The Gangstas, a group that prominently featured New Jack. Despite the numerical disadvantage, The Undertaker and Smothers ultimately prevailed over The Gangstas.
The following day, on April 8th, the stakes were raised in a 3-on-3 tag match. This time, The Undertaker and Tracy Smothers enlisted the help of Bob Armstrong to form a formidable trio. The Gangstas, undeterred by their previous loss, sought redemption in this encounter. Nevertheless, The Undertaker’s team once again emerged victorious, solidifying their dominance over The Gangstas. The first match carried the unique stipulation of the loser saluting the flag, and the subsequent match on April 8 took a different turn, adopting the intense format of an “I Quit” match. While Undertaker and New Jack didn’t face each other one on one, they did share the ring in a bizarre manner.
The Crazy Thing New Jack Did In The Match With The Undertaker
The Undertaker Loved What New Jack Did For The Deadman Character
In a wrestling landscape known for its larger-than-life characters, New Jack, always one to push boundaries, brought a whole new level of eccentricity to the match against The Undertaker. On the day of the bout, facing the challenge of communicating due to a recently extracted tooth and facial swelling, New Jack devised a unique strategy to enhance the overall spectacle of the match. New Jack ventured to a nearby store, where he stumbled upon a peculiar solution – a baby doll. Armed with this unexpected prop, he oddly incorporated it into the match, attaching the doll to his attire with a noose around its neck. This makeshift accessory would become a focal point of the encounter, adding an element of shock and discomfort that complemented the eerie atmosphere of The Undertaker’s Deadman persona.
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As the match unfolded, New Jack, paraded around the ring with the baby doll in tow. Every time the Deadman approached New Jack, the latter would unleash blood-curdling screams of terror, further emphasizing the supernatural aura that surrounded The Undertaker. In recounting this peculiar episode on Boston Wrestling MWF, New Jack revealed that rather than dismissing his unorthodox approach, The Undertaker not only appreciated the commitment but also expressed admiration. According to New Jack, The Undertaker said:
“Jack if they put my character over like that in WWF, it would be so much easier to do. What you did was the way it was supposed to be done.”
Jack revealed that The Undertaker even told him that if he ever needed help, he should call The Deadman. After that, they have never been in the ring together.