MINISTRY VS. UNDERTAKER

 This match was set up during Undertaker’s feud with JBL, as Undertaker was taking some time to chase the arrogant WWE Champion (albeit unsuccessfully) through late summer-early autumn. Gangrel was a character I remembered from before I was the one watching wrestling, I was just in the room whilst other family members watched at the Attitude Era’s peak. I was born a bit too late for my own liking…. Wait, this isn’t therapy. Yeah, Gangrel was an awesome character to young me, and I'm glad the Kevin Thorne experiment failed. There, I said it. Anyway, JBL called upon his old Ministry teammates to help him take out Undertaker.

Before the match we see footage of Heidenreich abducting Michael Cole last week. Heidenreich walks into Mr. McMahon’s office backstage as Michael Cole freaks out on commentary.

Speaking of which, Tazz is accompanying Michael Cole a the announce desk for this match.

Viscera and Gangrel make their way out together, Gangrel gets to do his blood shower as we see Undertaker getting ambushed by JBL, Orlando Jordan and his former Ministry members. Undertaker makes his way out and it may be 2004, but he’s still taking his time. Just as Undertaker gets into the ring JBL’s music hits. Orlando Jordan exits the limo as Bradshaw pokes his head out of the sunroof.

 

GANGREL & VISCERA VS. UNDERTAKER

(Handicap) WWE Smackdown (24^th September 2004)

  The bell rings Undertaker ducks Viscera’s clothesline and knocks Gangrel down. He fires lefts and rights at Viscera, backing him into the corner. Gangrel tries to attack Undertaker from behind but runs into Viscera instead.

  Gangrel is sent into the turnbuckles, he walks out into a Big Boot from Taker. Undertaker works Gangrel’s arm and hits Old School, then turns back to Viscera. Orlando Jordan jumps on the apron and the distraction gives Viscera a chance to blindside Undertaker with a running Splash in the corner. Viscera hits the choke bomb as Nick Patrick arrives to referee the match, better late than never. Within 10 seconds he’s in the way, Gangrel moves him to hit an elbow drop on his former leader. Gangrel stands over Undertaker, punching him but we have to watch it on the big screen over JBL’s shoulder whilst he celebrates. Gangrel hits another running elbow drop and tags in Viscera, because they suddenly matter now. Viscera gets some momentum from the ropes before Splashing down on Undertaker, Viscera stays in place for the cover but Undertaker kicks out at 2. Gangrel gets the tag again, Viscera uses the 5-count to try another running splash but Undertaker sits up. Gangrel backs Undertaker into the ropes with right hands and an irish whip sends Undertaker across the ring. He ducks the right hand from Gangrel and hits his flying clothesline. Suddenly JBL isn’t so happy as Gangrel’s head meets the top turnbuckle. Undertaker goes back and forth with running clotheslines and splashes in opposite corners.

  Viscera reverses an irish whip but gets caught with the DDT. Gangrel is sent across the ring into the corner, he staggers out into the Snake Eyes and Undertaker knocks him down with a Big Boot. JBL is really unhappy now as Gangrel is dropped with a Tombstone Piledriver for the win.

WINNER: UNDERTAKER

This was a basic match, Undertaker got some of his signature stuff in, Gangrel and Viscera got an extra pay day and nobody was hurt. It was cool seeing them for the nostalgia but I hadn’t missed much not seeing this match in so long. [*½] 2.75/10

  Viscera attacks Undertaker from behind and sends him off the ropes. Undertaker ducks a clothesline and grabs Viscera by the throat for a low Chokeslam to the 400-pounder. They both leave the ring and JBL is shown cowering on top of his limo with Orlando Jordan nearby. Undertaker takes the ring steps apart, he takes a steel chair from the timekeeper and uses it like a guillotine on Viscera, sending it into the bottom of the ring steps. Undertaker counts down on his fingers as he’s getting past all of JBL’s obstacles. It will only be JBL left in 10 days at No Mercy.