In a recent installment of his podcast Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway, WWE icon The Undertaker delved deeply into the history of one of the most formidable tag teams in wrestling – The Brothers of Destruction. When reflecting on his past collaboration with Kane, Undertaker told a captivating story about why their dynamic partnership ended quickly, despite being extremely well-liked. This candid revelation offers fans an emotional glimpse into what made the duo so special—and why it was too good to continue.
The Ascension of the Brothers of Destruction
The combination of The Undertaker and Kane, known as The Brothers of Destruction, left a lasting impression as one of the most fearsome and dominant tag teams. They began working together in 2000, after years of fierce rivalry and meeting at WrestleMania.
Looking back on when they first teamed up, The Undertaker mentioned, “After years of fighting against each other and having legendary battles, working together just felt right.” It was almost like the inevitable—‘Can you imagine these two monsters teaming up?’ And when it happened, it was even better than anyone expected.” The Undertaker’s voice, which still retained the gravelly tone of his wrestling character, unmistakably showed his pride in this unforgettable WWE moment.
Nevertheless, even with their victory, the Undertaker was straightforward about the duo’s brief partnership.
“It was awesome, but it was too awesome.”
The Power That Made Them Unstoppable
What made the Brothers of Destruction such an incredible force was precisely what led to their downfall. The Undertaker explained that the sheer dominance they displayed made it impossible to create believable competition. “Who could match up to two guys like us? One throws lightning, the other throws fire. How do you book anybody against that?”
Their dominance became a creative roadblock for WWE’s storytelling. No team could realistically challenge two giants who symbolized fire and brimstone. Consequently, the duo’s partnership ended after 2001, with occasional get-togethers later on, culminating in their last appearance together at Crown Jewel in 2018.
Despite the Undertaker’s fond memories, he also felt a strong sense of regret for the brief duration of the Brothers of Destruction’s magic. “It was just too dominant, too cool to keep going. They just couldn’t find a way to make anyone believable against us,” The Phenom remarked, his voice heavy with nostalgia.
Kane’s Unselfish Nature: A Key to Their Success
In addition to the Brothers of Destruction’s physical prowess, The Undertaker commended his partner Kane, whose real name is Glenn Jacobs. During a unique instance of introspection, The Undertaker revealed that Kane’s selfless behavior was crucial to the team’s achievements.
“Glenn was always willing to give me the hot tag. It was never about him. He believed fans were there to see me get the win, and he was perfectly okay with that.” The Undertaker’s admiration for Jacobs’ humility was evident, and he emphasized that other wrestlers might not have been as gracious in sharing the spotlight.
“The only argument we ever had was when I wanted him to take the hot tag and lead the match to victory. But Glenn would always insist, ‘No, they pay to see you, man. You get the win.’ That’s how unselfish he was.”
This understanding of how they interact behind the scenes provides a deeper emotional aspect to the narrative, indicating that their connection was not solely based on their physical abilities, but also mutual respect and common objectives. It is uncommon to come across a wrestler as experienced and respected as The Undertaker openly showing admiration for a colleague, solidifying Kane’s reputation as a genuine professional in the industry.
The Enjoyment Behind the Scenes: A Connection Beyond the Ring
Despite being known for their intimidating image, The Undertaker revealed that his collaboration with Kane was not always as intense as it seemed on television. Behind the scenes, there were instances of happiness, laughter, and authentic friendship. Having the enjoyment of creating pre-tapes and vignettes together was a good experience. It was simply an enjoyable experience. Wrestling was a breeze due to our dominance, but the activities outside the ring were equally enjoyable.
The Brothers of Destruction were a special and cherished tag team because of how well they integrated their on-screen characters with their genuine friendship. Whether they were making grand entrances in the ring or laughing together behind the scenes, these two larger-than-life figures had a strong bond that was evident.
The Brothers of Destruction’s legacy will endure
Despite being active for a short time, the Brothers of Destruction left a lasting impact on WWE history. Supporters still discuss their period of domination with respect, and both The Undertaker and Kane have proceeded to establish successful careers in the Hall of Fame.
When The Undertaker spoke about their time together, it was evident that the Brothers of Destruction held significant meaning for him beyond just being a storyline. It was a brief moment of pure wrestling magic that, despite its short duration, made a lasting impact on his career.
He mentioned a race that is still a topic of conversation today. “It was an extraordinary and rare experience, and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to share it with such an amazing person like Glenn.”
Fans are left to ponder the possibilities if WWE had managed to prolong the Brothers of Destruction’s rule. However, it could be argued that their brief time at the top is what enhances their legendary status even more – a fleeting period of unstoppable strength that, like all things of great significance, couldn’t endure indefinitely.