The Undertaker’s Ministry of Darkness storyline revitalized his character during the Attitude Era, turning him into a dominant villain. However, after Vince McMahon revealed the identity of the “higher power” controlling The Undertaker, the storyline left fans disappointed. Over the years, fans have speculated that Christopher Daniels was originally meant to be that higher power.
Daniels addressed this rumor in an interview on the “What Happened When?” podcast, denying any discussions with Vince McMahon about playing the role. He acknowledged that while his character had a cult leader vibe, fitting with the Ministry of Darkness theme, he never had direct involvement. Daniels believes the rumor may have stemmed from his religious-style character on the independent circuit, which some thought suited the dark storyline.
He admitted it would have been a bad idea for an unknown wrestler like himself, especially given his smaller stature compared to The Undertaker, to lead the Ministry. Daniels also mentioned that both he and Vampiro were offered similar shadowy roles in WCW but declined due to concerns about their low profiles possibly harming their careers.
Fan Take: This revelation is intriguing for AEW fans as Christopher Daniels is a respected and talented wrestler whose style and presentation could have added a unique dynamic to WWE’s Attitude Era storyline. It highlights the importance of star power and character fit in wrestling narratives, reinforcing how AEW’s focus on diverse and well-developed personas contributes to the sport’s evolving storytelling landscape.
