The Undertaker Shares Stories of WWE Hall of Famer Vader’s Arrest in Kuwait

In April 1997, plans were in place for The Undertaker to defend the WWF World Heavyweight Championship against Vader in Kuwait. To promote the match, both wrestlers participated in a dual-interview segment on “Good Morning Kuwait.”

Although the interview began smoothly with typical wrestling banter, it took a dramatic turn when host Bassam Al Othman asked whether professional wrestling was fake. The Undertaker recounted the ensuing chaos on a recent episode of “Six Feet Under.”

While The Undertaker maintained a composed demeanor during the interview, Vader reacted aggressively. “I was sitting there with the belt on my lap, looking as calm as possible on the outside,” The Undertaker explained.

“Inside, I was thinking, ‘Oh no, he didn’t,’ because I knew Vader’s reaction. He grabbed the host by the tie, shook him, and the situation escalated quickly, leading to the interview being shut down.” Despite the commotion, WWE road agent Jerry Brisco tried to usher The Undertaker into a car outside the studio, while Vader, visibly panicked, sought advice from The Undertaker.

Reflecting on the incident, The Undertaker described Vader’s anxiety. “Jerry was hustling me into the car, and Vader came over, asking, ‘What do I do?’ I told him, ‘You did great. Stick up for the business!’ Then they whisked me away in the car, speeding off like something from a film. Vader was clearly rattled.”

Following the incident, WWE talent returned home, but Vader faced legal trouble in Kuwait. He was detained and spent ten days under house arrest in a luxury hotel before being fined approximately $165 and sent back home.

During Vader’s detainment, WWE began developing a new storyline for The Undertaker involving his manager Paul Bearer and the debuting character of his half-brother Kane. “With Vader out, they conceived the idea for Kane,” Kane recalled on “Six Feet Under.”

“I remember talking to someone from WWE over a payphone in Jackson, Tennessee, and they pitched the idea to me, which I thought was fantastic.” Kane’s character was officially introduced at WWE’s Badd Blood: In Your House pay-per-view event in October 1997.