Undertaker Talks Out Of Character In 2002 About Mankind HIAC Match, Taker Vs. Mankind Anniversary
It was 18 years ago today that one of the most famous matches in WWE history took place, as The Undertaker faced Mankind, one of Mick Foley's alter egos, in a Hell in a Cell match at the King of the Ring pay-per-view in 1998. The match featured some of the craziest stunts in WWE history, including Taker throwing Mankind off the top of the cage, Taker chokeslamming him through the cage, and Mankind introducing WWE fans to thumbtacks being used as a weapon.
Ahead of WrestleMania 18 in 2002, The Undertaker appeared in a rare out-of-character interview on TSN's Off The Record. During the interview, Taker talked about the origins of his character and admitted to having reservations about the nWo returning to WWE and said that the WWE locker room will be keeping an eye out on them. He then discussed his match with Foley, and was asked about Foley climbing back up to the cage after being thrown off.
"I [was thinking] I'm in for a long night," Taker said. "Mick had a little longer night than I did."
Taker said that he felt like time stopped when he threw Foley off of the cage, noting that it felt like an out-of-body experience. Taker didn't think that Foley would get up from that, noting that it was such a violent fall that television didn't do justice to. He admitted that the chokeslam through the top of the cage was a lot worse because that wasn't supposed to happen.
"That panel wasn't supposed to break loose," Taker noted. "That panel gave way."
Taker said that Foley was out on his feet for 2-3 minutes and he told Foley to stay down. Taker said that Foley's dedication as a performer caused him to continue, and noted that it was "a violent night for Mick Foley."
Foley commented on the anniversary of the match, writing on his Facebook: