For many of the newer generation fans, the passing of legendary comedian/actor Leslie Nielsen over the weekend may not have much of an impact, other than their remembrance of his roles in the "Naked Gun" trilogy and "Airplane!" However longtime wrestling fans might remember that he was also hired as the Head Detective in 1994 for the mysterious disappearance of The Undertaker, leading into the infamous double Undertaker match at SummerSlam that year.
In January of 1994, The Undertaker (a Houston native) lost a Casket Match to then-WWF Champion Yokozuna. Following the match, fans in the arena witnessed the phenom rise from the building and would not be seen again for several months. In the late spring, the devious "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase had formed his Million Dollar Corporation and had guaranteed that had not only found the often-proclaimed Man From The Darkside but promised to bring him back to the World Wrestling Federation. But The Undertaker's longtime manager, Paul Bearer, claimed it wasn't the real phenom. He believed that DiBiase had conjured up a fake Undertaker.
Since nobody had seen him since his defeat at the Royal Rumble, many assumed that DiBiase in fact had brought the real Undertaker back to the WWF. After all, it was DiBiase who introduced him to the WWF at the 1990 Survivor Series. But when Paul Bearer began questioning the legitimacy of the supposed returning star, that's where Leslie Nielsen and his "Naked Gun" counterpart George Kennedy came into play.
They went on a summer-long search across the country, stopping in every jewelry store and donut shop along the way. There had been recent Undertaker "sightings" but nothing had been confirmed. That is, until DiBiase he brought his Undertaker to SummerSlam. While Nielsen and Kennedy were backstage tracking down clues, Paul Bearer was in the middle of the ring calling the one true Undertaker to the ring. The real 'Taker sported somewhat of a new look, with a shade of purple, as opposed to the classic black and grey look he had in the past. He put DiBiase's imposter to rest, and closed the case of the missing Undertaker for Nielsen and Kennedy.
For younger fans this is merely a history lesson. However for longtime wrestling fans it is a look back at what was one of the biggest stories of 1994, involving one of the most influential comedians of the modern era. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of friends of Leslie Nielsen.
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