Maven Believes He Wouldn’t Have Had A WWE Career If His Spot With The Undertaker Didn’t Work
In the world of professional wrestling, some moments define careers, while others can end them prematurely. For former WWE Superstar Maven, his iconic moment came in the form of a single, carefully timed dropkick that could have made or broken his future in the business.
During the Royal Rumble, an event etched into the memories of wrestling enthusiasts, the unassuming Maven had the arduous task of eliminating one of the most dominant and revered figures in WWE history: The Undertaker. It wasn’t just the magnitude of the task but the intricate choreography and potential pitfalls involved that made this an unforgettable moment.
Maven recently sat down with Chris Van Vliet on INSIGHT to reminisce about that fateful evening. The former WWE star recalled the tension leading up to that spot. With no rehearsals throughout the day and the inherent risk of failing the move, the pressure was palpable. There were many variables at play. If the dropkick wasn’t executed perfectly, it could have thrown off the entire sequence of events that followed.
In describing the moment, Maven painted a vivid picture. What if he had been off balance or had failed to make a clean contact with The Undertaker? The scenario that unfolded in his mind was an awkward one. With no backup plan, he feared it could have just been an uncomfortable stand-off between the two of them, devoid of the drama and anticipation that this Royal Rumble was known for.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Maven revealed a lesser-known detail about that night. Given a sequence where he had to bleed (or “get color” in wrestling parlance), and being allergic to aspirin which is often used to thin the blood, he had to resort to a different method. Both he and The Undertaker opted for a pre-match drink of Jack Daniels, which besides helping with the desired effect, perhaps provided a dose of liquid courage for the task at hand.
The Undertaker, always the consummate professional, was keen on ensuring Maven’s safety and was attentive to details, even the minor ones. The Phenom’s decision to offer Maven a drink instead of aspirin, given Maven’s allergy, showcases the camaraderie and concern shared amongst wrestlers, even amidst the adrenaline-fueled chaos of the squared circle.
Maven’s concerns weren’t just limited to the dropkick. He also brought up the subsequent chair shot he took from The Undertaker. While jesting that it was far from a tender touch, the reality was that this was another precarious stunt. Maven remembered how in the moment, he saw the chair approaching in slow motion and braced himself for impact. But his primary concern was, and always remained that crucial dropkick.
The stakes were high, and the consequences of failure were even higher. Maven candidly expressed that if he had botched that move, he doesn’t believe he would have had the subsequent opportunities in WWE. He cited an incident at the following pay-per-view, WrestleMania, where he missed a spot with Goldust. But by then, he had already solidified his place in WWE history, thanks to the Royal Rumble moment.
It wasn’t all tense memories, though. After the physically demanding sequence with The Undertaker, Maven was privy to a behind-the-scenes moment that few get to see. After inflicting the chair shot, The Undertaker took a moment to praise Maven, commending him on a job well done. It was a moment of validation for Maven, one that made the bruises, the anxiety, and the drink of Jack Daniels all worth it.
In conclusion, wrestling, like any other form of entertainment, hinges on the perfect execution of moments. For Maven, that Royal Rumble spot with The Undertaker was the defining moment of his career, one that he believes paved the way for everything that followed. Without it, he feels his WWE journey would have been cut short, an assertion that underscores the weight and significance of that singular dropkick.
