Michael Cole Was Once Called a ‘Liar’ for Hiding a Truth About The Undertaker

It’s no secret that pro wrestling is exaggerated. The overstated aspect of pro wrestling stories sells. Throughout his three-decade-long career, The Undertaker remained mysterious, staying true to kayfabe. During his storied career, The Undertaker was pushed as someone who could literally come back from the dead. And to put hype into his larger-than-life character, WWE reportedly often lied about things associated with The Deadman. 

The Undertaker has an imposing physique. He towers over people with average stature. But, long-tenured WWE member, Bruce Prichard, revealed the real height of The Undertaker, calling Michael Cole a “liar”.

Bruce Prichard calls Michael Cole a liar and reveals The Undertaker’s real height

In 1998, The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin faced off in a Buried Alive match at the Rock Bottom PPV. During the match, Michael Cole claimed that the grave was 6 feet deep. Since The Undertaker was billed in the neighborhood of 6 ft 10, and the grave was to his waist when he stood up, the idea about the depth of the grave did not hold water. 

While speaking on Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard, the former WWE manager revealed that Michael Cole lied about the depth of the grave from the Buried Alive match in 1998. According to Pritchard, The Undertaker is about 6 feet 9 inches in real life. 

He further dismissed Michael Cole’s claims that the grave was six feet deep. Pritchard also added that the grave was around four feet deep.

“Taker is about six’ nine. I used to be almost 6’10 and a half just because I liked that. The grave was three. The grave was maybe four feet deep. Yeah, I think it was roughly four feet. Michael Cole lied!”.   

This was obviously done to exaggerate The Undertaker’s size and add to his character’s mystique.

The Undertaker and Stone Cold Steve Austin faced off in the match to earn a spot in the 1999 Royal Rumble match. In the end, Stone Cold Steve Austin emerged victorious with a little assist from Kane. Although Austin earned his spot in the Royal Rumble match, he was ultimately eliminated by Vince McMahon.

Read More: Bruce Prichard Explains How Stone Cold Steve Austin Did Vince McMahon a Favor By Changing Already Planned Scripts

Only millennials who followed wrestling in the Attitude Era know how many times The Undertaker has returned from the dead. The WWE did a good job portraying that The Phenom had nine lives and was known for his gimmick matches. But did you know that The Undertaker once refused to do a Buried Alive match?

The Undertaker did not want to do a Buried Alive match in 1999

During an edition of the Something To Wrestle podcast, Bruce Prichard recalled when The Undertaker did not want to work a Buried Alive match in 1999. The match was scheduled to take place on SmackDown. 

According to Pritchard, he was often tasked with convincing the Undertaker. However, this time, the former World Champion refused to see eye-to-eye with the creative team. Had the match taken place, it would have marked the Taker’s second Buried Alive match against Stone Cold Steve Austin. 

“I remember a big one, it was 99, was the buried alive match on SmackDown,” Prichard continued. “Like the second or third week that Taker was just adamant that he did not want to do it.”

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The fact that WWE agreed to change their creative plans due to The Undertaker’s unwillingness to work the match only goes to show that the Phenom had a certain level of authority backstage.