ℜ𝔢𝔰𝔱 𝔦𝔫 𝔭𝔢𝔞𝔠𝔢

Raw is War-April 26, 1999

Vince and company arrive in their limo, in a somber mood after the events of the night before.

Taker calls Vince, wanting him to bring paperwork giving him controlling interest of the WWF. He requests that Stone Cold Steve Austin deliver it. Vince objects, but Taker isn’t hearing it. So Vince goes out and asks Austin to help him save his daughter…and Austin tells Vince to kiss his ass. Damn. Looks like Vince is on his own.

So Vince goes out to the back and waits…and waits…and waits for Taker. Eventually he gives up and goes back inside. But unknown to him, Taker and the Ministry are in the arena, with Stephanie being held by the Acolytes.

Soon, the Ministry comes out with Stephanie tied to the Undertaker symbol. Taker told Vince that what was about to happen was on him. Paul Bearer began a wedding ceremony! Stephanie was about to be married to the Undertaker! But not without interruptions. First, Ken Shamrock came in, but Viscera quickly gave him a splash and sent him packing. Meanwhile, the Corporation wants to help, but Shane holds them back. Next, the Big Show did his best to stop the ceremony, but a baseball bat to the head, courtesy of Taker, put an end to that. Just as Taker was about to kiss his unwilling bride, the glass broke and out came Stone Cold Steve Austin! He took out Taker and the Ministry all by himself and sent them on their way. He quickly got Stephanie free of her bonds and off the Undertaker symbol. She hugged her savior before Vince came out and was reunited with his daughter. Happy ending for all.

HAPPY 20TH BLACK WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!! 20 years ago tonight, the Undertaker made his move to take over the WWE. First, he ordered Vince to give him papers signing controlling interest over to him, but he wanted Stone Cold Steve Austin to deliver them. So Vince asked Austin to help him out, but he told Vince to kiss his ass. Vince decided that he would deliver the papers himself. So he waited...and waited...and waited at the dock for the Undertaker...who was already at the arena with the Ministry and Stephanie. Soon the Ministry would bring Stephanie to the ring, tied to the Undertaker symbol. Taker told Vince that what was about to happen was his fault. Paul Bearer began a wedding ceremony. But it was not without interruptions. First, Ken Shamrock tried to intervene, but he would get splashed by Viscera and sent on his way. Next, the Big Show attacked the Ministry, but was leveled with a baseball bat to the head, courtesy of Taker. Just as Taker was about to kiss his umwilling bride, the glass broke and out came Stone Cold Steve Austin. He made his way to Taker and they battled, but the Ministry interfered, allowing Taker to escape. Stone Cold took out the Ministry one by one. When it was all said and done, Austin freed Stephanie from her bonds, and she embraced him. Vince came out and she went into his arms, relieved to be back with her father.

20 YEARS AGO TODAY!! One of the most chilling moments in WWE history!!

Backlash-April 25, 1999

So the Ministry promise a “tragedy” happening that night, and Vince is backstage by Stephanie’s side. Taker defeats Ken Shamrock in a hard fought match, but he wasn’t done.

During the WWF Championship match, Vince comes out and beats up Shane, helping Stone Cold Steve Austin retain the title against the Rock. Vince gives Austin his Smoking Skull championship belt back, and all is right with the world…

Unless you’re Stephanie McMahon. See, Vince had left her in the limo to wait for him until the show ended. She was talking to the security guards when the Ministry comes out. Security orders the limo to go. Stephanie tries to tell the driver to wait for her father. The partition comes down to reveal the driver as the Undertaker!

“Where to, Stephanie?” Stephanie screams in horror, but it’s too late. Vince is still inside the arena, unaware of what had just transpired. The nightmare was just beginning…

20 YEARS AGO TODAY!!

BONUS VIDEO!

Backlash-April 25, 1999

From Backlash 1999, Taker and the Ministry make their way to the ring and guarantee that there will be a “Horrible Tragedy” that takes place.

20 YEARS AGO TODAY!!

Raw 4/19/99

Taker plays more mind games with Ken and threatens Ryan once again. Meanwhile, Vince and Stephanie do an interview regarding Shane’s actions from the week before. But the interview is interrupted by someone trying to get into the studio. Vince heads outside and finds Mideon. He attacks him, but Mideon runs away.

ALSO 20 YEARS AGO TONIGHT!!

Raw 4/12/99 Get comfortable, because this is where ish gets interesting. Several things start to happen: Shane has been taking over for his father with the Corporation, because Vince is busy protecting Stephanie. So Shane calls Stephanie out to the ring, knowing that Taker and the Ministry are lurking about. But Vince is by her side along with security. Shane is not happy with Vince, the two have words and Shane winds up slapping him. Vince walks away as Shane taunts him some more. Ken Shamrock also leaves the Corporation because they didn’t have his back when he was taken out by the Ministry the week before.

20 YEARS AGO TONIGHT!

Raw 4/12/99 Later that night, Taker and the Ministry come out and surround Debra, who looks to be the next victim in this game, but Ken Shamrock comes out and saves the day. He, of course, is looking for revenge for what the Ministry did to his sister. Taker tells him that he can find her in the boiler room. Mankind helps him find Ryan, but the reunion is short lived as the Ministry come out and attack him. Taker says he’s the next one to be sacrificed, but thanks to a rebelling Christian and the Brood, Ken escapes.

20 years ago yesterday!

April 5, 1999

Vince, Stephanie and Shane are in their office, flanked by security, hoping not to have a repeat of the week before.

Taker and the Ministry threaten that there will be a sacrifice, that a young girl will break her father’s heart. Taker punishes Christian for giving away the whereabouts of Stephanie. The Ministry also beat up Ken Shamrock and put him in the trunk of a car that drives off.

Taker and the Ministry come out to the stage. They have someone dressed in black, whom they tie to the Undertaker symbol.

Taker sends a warning to Vince and Stephanie: “McMahon - I told you that a young girl would be sacrificed here tonight. And I’m not going to disappoint you, am I. You see, Vince, what happens here tonight - you’re responsible for. ALthough, this is not the young girl that I want - but she will have to do for now. Ahh, fear not little one. There is nothing to fear, oh there’s nobody here that can help you now. Soon, you’ll be one of us. You see, Stephanie, when I look into her eyes, I see you. When I touch her skin … I feel you. McMahon - it’s time that she comes home. It’s time she became one of us. We have to answer to a power far greater than what we know, and He summons her. She is the Chosen One. Stephanie, it’s time that you come home.”

OK So Stephanie is still backstage with her father, but who’s on the symbol? None other than Ryan Shamrock, Ken’s sister. Which would explain why he was taken out earlier.

20 years ago today!

BONUS VIDEO!

Vince and Stephanie’s interview from the 4/4/99 Sunday Night Heat. We learn more information about what the Undertaker has done to Stephanie in regards to stalking her. Will she tell the story behind her abduction? How far will Vince go to protect his only daughter?

HAPPY 2OTH ANNIVERSARY, STEPHANIE MCMAHON! 20 years ago today, Stephanie McMahon made her debut in WWE!

March 29, 1999

The night after Wrestlemania XV…

Vince had just stolen Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Smoking Skull championship belt and was in his office with his family and his associates. Plus, we get our first look at Vince’s daughter, Stephanie. Could she be the woman Taker was talking about?

Taker and the Ministry come out to the ring and corner Women’s Champion, Sable, who tries to gyrate her way out of the situation, but fails. Taker demands Vince come out to meet him at ringside. Vince goes to the stage and wants to give Taker a piece of his mind. But wait…

Vince notices something is not right. ‘Let’s see…Mideon, Viscera, Paul Bearer, the Brood…wait a minute, where are the Acolytes? Uh-oh…’ Vince realizes what’s going on and runs back to his office, but the security guards have been knocked out, and Stephanie is nowhere in sight. Vince immediately goes into panic mode.

A few minutes, Taker calls Vince and says hauntingly, “Vince - it is true, isn’t it. She really is sugar and spice and everything nice…”

So Vince recruits Ken Shamrock to help find his daughter. Ken defeats Edge, but is the recipient of a bloodbath, which he doesn’t take lightly. He grabs Christian, slaps the Ankle Lock on him and gets his to confess that Stephanie is in the basement.

SO Ken immediately heads to the basement where he finds Stephanie, visibly shaken and scared, with the Undertaker symbol drawn on her forehead. He leads her back to Vince’s office for a happy family reunion. All’s well that ends well, right?

Well…until the next week…

“You laid me down in a grave as if it would be my final resting place… filling it with the Earth’s rotting soil. They tried to destroy me, wishing I would just go away, but what is it? What have they really done? The simple minds of mortal men; they’ve sent me back to the place that is my origin. Destroy me… the more they try, the more powerful I’ve become… and now, I’ve risen from my earthy grave and now I will slay the ones that I once saved.

The reckoning is upon us. The day that the Ministry of Darkness seizes the land, destroys all that you hold dear, make play things of your “heroes,” and devour your innocence. The Plague of Darkness is coming, and all encompassing evil for which there is no escape… No mercy… No hope… It’s called the future; and in the future, I will look down upon thee and I will decide whether you’re an Agent of Darkness or are you just mere kindling for my fires. 

The power of darkness shall only be offered for a chosen few, and those who resist the temptations of my Ministry? Pain becomes synonymous with punishment. Embrace the darkness, and relish in the unearthly delight that pain has to offer. Resist… and there are no limits to the torment you subject yourself to. Don’t fight it… it will tear your soul apart. So let my servants be few and secret. They shall rule the many and the known. 

For I am the Reaper of Men, the Chaser of Souls, the Weaver of Nightmares. I am the Heart of Darkness. I am now and ever will be the Purity of Evil. The Hell you were threatened with as a child is no longer an option. It is a reality–a living… breathing… reality–and you all are right in the middle of it. Yes… Hell has relocated to Earth.”

- The Undertaker, Jan. 11, 2019 -  - - - Official Debut of the Ministry of Darkness - - -

“Creatures of the night, it is the dawning of a new day. The demon of Death Valley has seen to his resurrection, as the darkness is his light. He is once again alive.”

March 24, 1965 - Happy birthday, Deadman!

20 YEARS AGO TODAY!

March 15, 1999

Shane McMahon had just finished a match and he and Vince were headed back to the locker room when a picture suddenly appeared on the Titantron. A familiar voice would soon be heard…

“McMahon - do you know where I am? You see the lights are on, but nobody’s home - yet. But, she’s coming home, isn’t she Vince? And when she does, guess who’ll be waiting…”

The Undertaker and the Ministry were at the McMahon house, waiting for “her” to come home!

Vince and Shane were visibly stunned. They tried to call the police to get someone to the McMahon house, but the cops weren’t doing any good.

So Vince put Mideon in a match against the Big Boss Man, inside a steel cage. Of course, the Corporation comes out and takes advantage, beating up Mideon. Vince threatens to destroy Mideon unless the Ministry leaves his home. Taker’s reply?

“Go ahead. Take him, Vince. The Ministry is more than prepared to give their lives to the Lord of Darkness. You see, it’s their mission - they live only to die for me. But then, there are those who are forced to die. Those who never know what it is that hits them. No pain - only pleasure. So Vince, you do what you have to do for now, and I need to go do what I have to do. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…”

A car was driving up to the house as the screen faded to white noise…

So Vince and Shane try calling the cops again, with no success. But Taker soon sends another message to the McMahon men.

“Listen up McMahon. Law enforcement’s finest - I could see where we couldn’t be found - it’s not like we stand out or anything, is it Vince? And now that that annoying little interruption is done with, it’s time to get back to business. I know what time she’s expected home, Vince, and I WILL be here to greet her. Maybe I can be that father figure she never had - or, maybe I can just torture her. But, no worries. In due time, you will be witness to my madness.”

The Undertaker symbol on fire left at the house is the exclamation point left by the Ministry.

Later that night, Vince goes out as Kane is beating up HHH. He tries to convince him to help him against Taker. Well, Kane takes off his mask…and it’s the Undertaker!

“It’s just that simple…anytime, anywhere!” Taker tells Vince before he leaves the ring. Vince is left in the ring, shocked and defeated…for now.

20th ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCEMENT!

March 29th brings the 20th anniversary of the debut of Stephanie McMahon as a main character in WWE.

If you're new to watching WWE, you may have forgotten Stephanie's humble beginnings in WWE as an innocent ingenue, Vince McMahon's only daughter, who was being stalked, and would eventually be abducted by the Undertaker and the Ministry of Darkness, not once, but twice, leading up to the infamous Black Wedding. Of course it would all be revealed as a sinister plan by her father to screw Stone Cold Steve Austin out of the WWE Championship.

Dark Obsession will, of course, be commemorating the 20th anniversary of these events over the next several weeks, from the invasion of the McMahon home on March 15th, all the way to the Black Wedding on April 26th. I invite you to join me as I share pics and video from that time, as well as repost my fanfic, A Dark Nightmare Revisited.

I hope you enjoy the journey down memory lane!

Stephanie has come a long way!

1999: A leader of a demonic cult that sacrifices people for shits and giggles decide to try and kidnap the boss’s daughter and turn her into his mistress and possibly impregnate her

2003: A red headed sweetheart of a biker with seemingly no dark and demonic past saves the boss’s daughter after she got the snot beat out of her by her father

If you didn’t watch pro wrestling, you wouldnt even think these were the same people. Well done, WWE, Well done indeed.