In a revelatory interview on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast, esteemed WWE referee Mike Chioda has peeled back the layers of the nightmarish Super ShowDown 2019 match between Goldberg and The Undertaker, providing a detailed and unprecedented account of the backstage chaos and unforeseen drama that marred the historic event in Saudi Arabia.
The troubles began even before the two legends squared off in the ring. Goldberg’s attempt to psych himself up backstage took a dangerous turn when a headbutt to a door went awry, resulting in an accidental cut on his forehead. This early setback set an ominous tone for what would unfold in the ensuing match.
As the contest commenced, things quickly went from bad to worse. Goldberg, already nursing a forehead injury, suffered a concussion during the bout, leading to a series of uncoordinated and potentially dangerous moves. The climax of the chaos came with a botched Jackhammer, a move synonymous with Goldberg’s dominance, which turned into a precarious situation for both the WCW icon and The Undertaker.
Speaking on the intensity of the situation, Chioda expressed, “That was scary, real scary, man.” The concerns extended beyond the physical toll on Goldberg, as The Undertaker, known for his stoic on-screen persona, was legitimately frustrated and visibly annoyed after the match. This rare break in character underscored the severity of the challenges faced by both wrestling icons during the ill-fated encounter.
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“That was scary, real scary, man, and you know if you watch that match back again, ‘Taker at the finish on the end of that match, he’s just sitting up looking around p****d, like just kind of looked upset, you know, frustrated because I know ‘Taker got jammed up a little bit too.”
Chioda’s keen observations on The Undertaker’s reaction shed light on the emotional toll the match took on the legendary performer. The Deadman’s frustration, a departure from his usual composed demeanor, hinted at the gravity of the situation and the impact it had on the locker room atmosphere.
“You know, he wasn’t in his normal Undertaker character. He just had a lot on his mind. He was just looking around. I’m just sitting on the outside of the ring going, ‘Oh, s**t, Deadman’s p****d.’ Thank God everything worked out. You know, like everything, we got through that night.”
In a subsequent 2022 interview on the True Geordie Podcast, The Undertaker addressed the Jackhammer botch, revealing the potential danger of the situation. He candidly admitted that if the move had landed slightly differently, he might not have been able to stand up.
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Post the Super ShowDown debacle, The Undertaker’s in-ring appearances became scarce, with only three more matches before his iconic retirement at WrestleMania 36 against AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard encounter, marking the end of a legendary career.
This unprecedented insight into the Super ShowDown 2019 debacle sheds new light on the challenges faced by wrestling icons in the heat of the moment and the emotional toll it took on one of the industry’s most revered figures.
