Undertaker Explains Early Tombstone Safety Issues and Koko B. Ware Incident

The Undertaker Explains Why He Changed the Tombstone After a Dangerous Early Version

The Undertaker has revealed that the original version of his iconic Tombstone Piledriver wasn’t just different — it was unsafe. Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the WWE Hall of Famer admitted that his early execution of the move was flawed and that the first person to take it had every right to complain.

During his first months in WWF, the Tombstone looked noticeably different. Opponents were positioned off to one side rather than squared up against his shoulders. Undertaker said the reason was simple: he didn’t yet know how to perform the move correctly.

“I really didn’t know how to do it right the first. I’m just dumb, young, and grabbing guys up, and they’re hanging over here on the side. Eventually I got them squared up, and it was much easier to control their body weight and land safer.”

Undertaker Admits His First Tombstone Was “Hellacious”

Asked whether any early Tombstones were dangerous, Undertaker pointed directly to the first one he ever delivered — the one that eliminated Koko B. Ware during his debut at Survivor Series 1990.

“Koko B. Ware took a hellacious one that I kind of blew off when it happened. I was like, come on, man, just suck it up. And then I watched it back years later and thought, maybe he had a reason to complain because that looked gnarly.”

Koko has since said he was dropped on his head and that the two never practiced the move beforehand. He has also made it clear he holds no grudge, and the two have discussed the moment in the years since.

Undertaker explained that the adjustment wasn’t just about protecting opponents — it was about protecting himself during a schedule that kept him on the road nearly every day of the month.

“It’s a safer way, and not only safer, but more efficient. We’re on the road 20, 25 days out of the month. You have to figure out ways to minimize the trauma and take care of yourself.”

He added that the original version made it extremely difficult to avoid injuring someone.

“It was very difficult to not break somebody’s neck when all their body weight is making a hard right. Once I figured out how to get them lined up, it was better for them and a lot easier for me.”

The Tombstone eventually became one of WWE’s safest and most recognizable finishing moves — but Undertaker’s early learning curve shows how much trial and error went into perfecting it.