One of WWE’s Attitude Era’s most unforgettable moments came from an unlikely, yet iconic, clash between The Undertaker and Spike Dudley. The moment that resonated with fans worldwide featured The Undertaker delivering a thunderous chokeslam to Spike, sending the diminutive wrestler crashing through a table outside the ring. Nearly two decades later, Spike Dudley has shared the full story behind this daring spot and revealed that The Undertaker personally apologized to him years after the fact.
The Genesis of an Iconic Spot
In a recent in-depth interview on the Insight podcast with Chris Van Vliet, Spike Dudley revealed that the brutal chokeslam-through-the-table spot was entirely his idea. Joining WWE as a smaller competitor, Spike wanted a moment that would stand out during his Hardcore Championship match against The Undertaker—a giant and legend of the industry.
Spike recalled how he pitched this daring move to The Undertaker himself, suggesting something unique to his size that would be impossible with bigger wrestlers. He proposed being chokeslammed out of the ring and through a table—a spot so risky that The Undertaker initially flatly refused.
The Phenom’s reaction was blunt, “No, I’m not doing that,” but Spike persisted. He insisted he could safely take the move, which led to a test run with crash pads to ensure safety. After seeing Spike’s confidence and willingness to take the risk, The Undertaker reluctantly agreed to perform the dangerous spot[1].
A Moment That Became a Legendary Replay
The execution of the chokeslam over the top rope and through a table became one of the most replayed and talked-about moments from WWE’s Attitude Era. It perfectly captured the era’s ethos—high risk, big impact, and raw emotion. The visual of the towering Undertaker slamming Spike Dudley, who weighed under 150 pounds, through a table is etched in the memories of wrestling fans and is frequently cited among the greatest table spots in WWE history[1][2].
Such moments helped define the hardcore, no-holds-barred style of the Attitude Era, marked by unforgettable high-risk moves. Spike Dudley, who also endured some of the most dangerous match types of that time, including flaming table spots with The Dudley Boyz, embraced the physical toll wrestling demanded[3][4].
The Undertaker’s Apology After Nearly 20 Years
What stands out from Spike’s recent revelations is that The Undertaker eventually apologized for the severity of that spot, nearly 20 years later. According to Spike, The Undertaker reached out to express regret, acknowledging how brutal the move was, even though it was done with mutual trust and professionalism.
A WWE insider explained, “The Undertaker might have been the toughest guy in the ring, but he’s always respected his colleagues. That kind of apology shows the humanity behind the myth—a legend knowing when a spot was intense, even if it helped create magic for the fans.” This rare admission of remorse highlights how performers live with the physical risks behind the spectacle for decades[1].
The Physical Toll and Respect Behind the Scenes
Spike Dudley’s willingness to perform such a risky maneuver and The Undertaker’s professionalism in executing it reflects the delicate balance wrestlers maintain between entertainment and safety. Backstage sources reveal that while spots like this generate fan excitement, they are carefully planned, yet always carry inherent risks.
Spike famously had to convince The Undertaker to trust him enough to do the chokeslam out of the ring. “I’m Spike; I’m small—but that also means I can take bumps differently. That’s what I told him,” Spike explained. This insight shows the subtle chemistry and trust that make moments like these possible without serious injury[1].
The Legacy of a Defining Attitude Era Moment
The spot also represents the broader evolution of WWE’s use of tables and high-impact moments. From Mick Foley’s Hell in a Cell falls to The Dudley Boyz’ spectacular tables-based tactics, smashing through tables became a hallmark of wrestling’s hardcore style, especially during the late 1990s and early 2000s[2].
Spike Dudley’s chokeslam through the table by The Undertaker stands out because of the stark size difference and sheer spectacle. It remains a highlight in highlight reels celebrating the era where wrestlers pushed the boundaries both creatively and physically.
Final Thoughts
Spike Dudley’s candidness about this moment offers fans an inside look at how some of wrestling’s most iconic moments came to be. The Undertaker’s rare apology only adds depth to the story, reminding fans of the men behind the personas who risk everything to entertain.
As a WWE insider put it, “Moments like these remind us why wrestling is so special—because it’s built on trust, innovation, and sometimes, taking a leap of faith that can define careers.” For Spike and The Undertaker, that leap was literal—and unforgettable[1].