In a WWE.com exclusive interview, WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel shares his memories of The Undertaker.
WWE.com: The ominous entrance of The Undertaker is legendary. And for the majority of his career, you were the voice of that entrance. When introducing The Phenom, describe what you would concentrate on vocally.
Howard Finkel: The word “Undertaker.” I wanted to take the four syllables of that word and make each syllable distinct to give him the unique introduction that I believed I gave him through the years.
WWE.com: If there had never been The Deadman, what three things do you think would be completely different in WWE today?
Howard Finkel: I can not give you any specific instances as to what would be completely different. But from a general standpoint, if there had never been The Deadman, then perhaps someone else would have had the opportunity to have attained the lofty iconic status that The Deadman so richly deserves today.
WWE.com: Psychology has always been a huge part of The Phenom’s arsenal, both in the ring and outside of it. In your opinion, has there been a particular rivalry of The Undertaker’s where the mind games he played on his opponent were as explosive as the match itself?
Howard Finkel: The last two WrestleMania matches (XXV & XXVI) against Shawn Michaels. The story that was told leading up to these respective confrontations was as intense as their matches were.
WWE.com: What was your favorite Undertaker rivalry?
Howard Finkel: Kane, for the simple reason that for more than thirteen years it has been a rivalry that has had so many different twists and turns. Brothers in arms, brothers at war. And to this day it has kept its uniqueness and spontaneity sharp.
WWE.com: People always want to know about how something was at the beginning. For instance, they want to know how “Stairway to Heaven” was received the first time it was played in front of an audience. The first time you introduced The Undertaker (Survivor Series – after weeks of anticipation about the “mystery partner” for The “Million Dollar’s” Man’s Team), describe the mood of the WWE Universe?
Howard Finkel: Going back to that night in the Hartford (CT) Civic Center, I remember that virtually none at the live event booed the entrance of The Undertaker that night, despite the fact that he was part of The Million Dollar Team. It was more of an “oooh and aaah” type reaction, because of his uniqueness that he projected on that Thanksgiving night in 1990.
WWE.com: Standing in the awesome presence of The Demon of Death Valley must be horrifying for anyone. Has there been a time at ringside that you were actually fearful about something going on during one of The Undertaker’s matches?
Howard Finkel: Not necessarily fearful per se, but more of the premise that he was The Phenom in every sense of the word. If I did the ring announcing for his match, I would be very attentive to his every move he made, because with The Undertaker, everything was fair game, as far as I was concerned.
WWE.com: What alliance or tag team that The Undertaker was a part of has had the greatest impact on his career?
Howard Finkel: Alliance and Tag Team: Kane. The Brothers of Destruction were a natural fit together; it meshed so well, either as a united front, or on opposite sides of the ring. Additionally, add Paul Bearer to the Alliance portion. He complemented The Undertaker so, so well.
WWE.com: What is the most memorable Undertaker match that you have ever been present for?
Howard Finkel: Two come to mind: Of course, The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXV in 2009. The bar was definitely raised when these two met. And also, the night that Undertaker defeated Hulk Hogan at the 1991 Survivor Series in Detroit, and in the process won the WWE Championship!
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