A Night That Defined WWE Oddity: Survivor Series 1996
On November 17, 1996, Madison Square Garden bore witness to one of the most surreal spectacles in WWE history. Fans expected the familiar funeral march, but instead, The Undertaker stunned the world by descending from the rafters shrouded in enormous black leather bat wings[1][3][6][7]. This entrance, at Survivor Series 1996 for his match against Mankind, remains etched in WWE lore—not for its grandeur, but for its sheer peculiarity.
The Creative Spark: Behind the Bat Wings Idea
For decades, WWE fans speculated about the origins of this bizarre entrance. Was it the brainchild of the company’s creative team, or perhaps a bold move by Vince McMahon himself? The truth, as recently revealed by The Undertaker, is far more personal.
According to the Deadman, the bat wings concept was his own pitch—an attempt to evolve his persona with a darker, almost supernatural visual. At the time, Undertaker was transitioning from his classic mortician character into something more demonic, a shift inspired by his ongoing feud with the deranged Mankind[3]. He envisioned the dramatic descent as a metaphorical rebirth, a way to reclaim his mystique after months of betrayal and hardship.
“Vince trusted me enough to let me try something this wild,” The Undertaker recalled in a recent interview. “I pitched the wings, and Vince just said, ‘Goddamn, that’ll be great.’”[1]
Backstage Reactions: Awkward Silence and Stifled Laughter
While the concept sounded bold in theory, reality proved less flattering. During rehearsal, WWE officials watched in stunned silence as the Phenom was hoisted above the ring. The atmosphere backstage was tense—no one wanted to be the one to break the news that the entrance looked absurd. Shawn Michaels, present in the ring, reportedly burst out laughing at the sight, while others exchanged nervous glances.
Undertaker himself described the moment candidly: “They’re all looking at each other like, ‘Who wants to tell him?’”[1] After the entrance, he sensed the awkwardness immediately. Sources close to the production team revealed that when Taker returned backstage, there was a palpable hesitation. One longtime WWE producer confided, “I had to stand there for a second, afraid to get him to look up. And I think when he looked up, I got a ‘What were you thinking?’”[1]
A One-Night Experiment: The Bat Wings Retired
Despite the initial excitement, the entrance was swiftly deemed a misstep. The leather wings were hot, heavy, and unwieldy, and the overall effect was more “budget Batman” than undead overlord[1]. The visual clashed with the Deadman’s chilling aura, and rather than elevating the character, it risked reducing him to a comic book caricature.
The Undertaker himself acknowledged the misfire with humility and humor. “There’s two things. I own the bat wings. I own the snakeskin pants. The all-leather getup wasn’t the greatest either,” he joked, reflecting on the infamous costume choices of his career[1]. True to form, the wings were never used again and have since become a quirky footnote in wrestling history.
Survivor Series 1996: Context and Aftermath
The entrance was not the only strange aspect of the night. Survivor Series 1996 marked a pivotal point in The Undertaker’s rivalry with Mankind. Having been betrayed by longtime manager Paul Bearer and subjected to brutal matches—including the Boiler Room Brawl and Buried Alive—the Deadman entered Madison Square Garden as an underdog, a rare role for the legendary figure[3].
As he descended from the rafters, arms outstretched, the crowd’s reaction was mixed. Some cheered the spectacle, others watched in bemused silence, and many simply wondered what WWE was thinking. The match itself saw the Deadman reclaim his momentum, but the entrance overshadowed the in-ring action in fan conversations for years to come[2].
The Legacy of WWE’s Most Unusual Entrance
Looking back, the bat wings entrance is often cited among the strangest WWE moments, alongside other infamous visuals like Undertaker’s Ministry of Darkness stunts or the use of live animals in his entrances[2][7]. It serves as a reminder that even legends are not immune to creative risks—and occasional costume disasters.
Today, WWE fans and insiders reflect on the moment with a mix of nostalgia and amusement. According to a senior WWE official, “Taker always pushed boundaries with his entrances. Sometimes they were iconic, sometimes they were… well, the bat wings. But that’s what makes him a legend—he never stopped reinventing himself.”
The Undertaker’s Philosophy: Owning the Missteps
Throughout his career, The Undertaker was known for his willingness to experiment with his look and entrance, always seeking new ways to captivate audiences. The bat wings incident exemplifies his commitment to character evolution, even when the results were questionable.
As the Phenom himself put it, “You can’t be afraid to try new things, even if you end up with sweaty leather wings and a room full of silent stares. That’s wrestling. If you don’t take risks, you don’t make history.”[1]
Conclusion: A Moment That Lives On
The bat wings entrance at Survivor Series 1996 remains a singular moment in WWE history—a testament to the enduring legacy of The Undertaker and his fearless approach to entertainment. While the wings were retired after one night, the image of the Deadman descending from the rafters lives on in wrestling folklore.
What do you think? Was The Undertaker’s bat wing entrance one of WWE’s weirdest moments, or a misunderstood stroke of genius? Share your thoughts in the comments below.