When Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) made his much-anticipated WWE debut in 2001, fans expected the former three-time WCW World Champion to immediately enter the main event scene. Instead, DDP was booked in one of the most infamous and controversial storylines of his WWE career a stalker angle targeting The Undertaker’s wife, Sara McMahon. Speaking candidly on The Ariel Helwani Show recently, DDP opened up about how Vince McMahon pitched this angle with his then-wife in the room and the complicated feelings it stirred for him at the time.
The Surprising Introduction to Vince McMahon and the Stalker Angle
DDP recalled his initial meeting with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon shortly after arriving in the company following WCW’s acquisition. His arrival was delayed due to traffic, but the moment he entered McMahon’s office, DDP described a warm and unexpected embrace from Vince rather than the standard handshake. “I said, ‘I’m not shaking your hand, bro. I’ve waited my whole life to meet you. I’m hugging you,’” DDP explained, underscoring his respect and excitement to join WWE[1].
However, the excitement quickly soured during the creative meeting when Vince and his team outlined the storyline they had planned for him: to play a stalker obsessed with The Undertaker’s wife. “They told me they wanted me to stalk Taker’s wife,” DDP said bluntly. What made the pitch even more uncomfortable was that DDP’s wife was present in the meeting alongside Vince, Shane McMahon, and Kimberly McMahon[1].
Wrestling’s Different Mindset: WWE vs. WCW
Reflecting on the scenario, DDP admitted that if he had been pitched this angle while still in WCW, where he was a top star with significant influence over his character, his reaction would have been very different. “If I was in WCW, if they told me that bullsh* angle, I’d go, ‘fck you.’ Seriously? I’m going to be stalking somebody else’s wife?” he said emphatically[2].
Yet, stepping into WWE as a new talent in 2001, DDP felt he lacked the leverage to refuse such a creatively questionable role. “I didn’t realize… there was no reason for me to think that they were not going to even give me an opportunity,” he reflected. His reaction was tempered by the understanding that he was a newcomer in unfamiliar territory without the creative freedom he once enjoyed[1][2].
The Angle’s Fallout and Lessons Learned
The stalker storyline did not sit well with many fans or wrestling insiders, and it arguably hindered DDP’s momentum in his early WWE run. Despite that, DDP sees a silver lining in how the experience taught him a valuable career lesson. “The thing that it taught me was you can’t be afraid to walk away from the table when you have something that you know they want,” he said[2].
He admitted he should have trusted his instincts and laughed off the pitch at the time. “What I should have done when he said that, I should have just done my inner voice, which would have laughed out loud and said, ‘Vince, are you looking at my wife? Seriously? And of all people, I’m going to after Taker’s wife? Like, no!’”[2]
The Undertaker and DDP’s Relationship Post-Angle
While the storyline created tension among fans who speculated it was designed to bury DDP’s career or create friction between him and The Undertaker, sources close to the wrestlers confirm that the two men have maintained mutual respect. Recently, DDP discussed the angle with The Undertaker, and the conversation clarified that the storyline was entirely creative and personal animosity was never part of it. “They’re good, because this is obviously water under the bridge,” DDP said[3].
Insider Perspective: WWE Creative’s Controversial Booking
According to a WWE insider familiar with backstage dynamics at the time, the stalker angle was one of several questionable creative decisions in the early post-WCW era. “There was a lot of experimentation with how to integrate WCW talent, sometimes with cringe-worthy storylines that didn’t fit their established stars,” the source explained. “DDP’s stalker angle was one of the more infamous missteps, and it definitely did not leverage his strengths.”
The same insider added that Vince McMahon’s decision to pitch the angle in front of DDP’s wife was unusual but not unprecedented. “Vince sometimes made these pitches boldly and personally, maybe to assert control or test the wrestler’s commitment. In DDP’s case, it appears to have backfired somewhat, leaving lasting regrets,” they said.
Context: WWE’s Transitional Period After Acquiring WCW
WWE’s acquisition of WCW in 2001 marked a significant upheaval in the wrestling business. Many top stars from WCW were brought into WWE with high expectations, but creative integration proved challenging. Established characters were often repackaged awkwardly or misused as WWE tried to blend storylines and talent rosters.
DDP’s stalker gimmick is emblematic of this era’s creative growing pains. His legacy as a beloved main event star from WCW was built on his positive, resilient “People’s Champ” persona, which was at odds with a dark, uncomfortable stalker role. Fans and analysts have noted that while WWE found success bringing over stars like Chris Jericho and Eddie Guerrero, some talents like DDP were squandered creatively during this transitional period[4].
Final Thoughts from DDP
Despite the controversy, DDP remains philosophical about his WWE chapter. He acknowledges losing creative control but is grateful for the lessons learned about standing up for oneself in the wrestling industry. “I would love to have had a real run with Taker later. I would have loved a real run with People’s Champ against People’s Champ,” he said, signaling what might have been[2].
The stalker angle remains a significant footnote in DDP’s career and WWE history—an example of both Vince McMahon’s bold creative risks and the challenges wrestlers face adapting to corporate wrestling culture.
“It was a bizarre experience, especially with my wife sitting there in the room,” DDP said on the Ariel Helwani Show. “Looking back, I know I should’ve pushed back harder, but back then, you just try to get your foot in the door.” This candid reflection sheds light on the complex power dynamics in professional wrestling and the realities behind the spectacle seen on television.
Fans and industry insiders alike continue to debate the legacy of this angle, yet DDP’s honesty reminds us of the human side behind wrestling’s often surreal storylines.