Mordecai
Some people are knowledgeable about history. Others know all the policies of all the different political parties. Me? I like forgotten mid-2000s WWE midcarders. Something about the Ruthless Aggression era’s influx of underrated technical workers, alongside some really innovative gimmicks make it one of my favourite rabbit holes to dive into. I’m actually surprised people don’t talk about Mordecai more often. When I first saw him on TV as a kid, he felt like a BIG deal. This was the guy I didn’t want any of my favourite wrestlers to go up against. He seemed too strong. Too wicked.
Photo credit: TheSportster
Ironic that I thought he was so evil, because his gimmick was essentially a religious zealot; a Godly protector that was going to rid the WWE of all sinners. His hatred of those who sinned meant he would go to lengths to inflict harm on members of the roster he deemed blasphemous. His first victim would be in the form of one Scotty 2 Hotty at Judgement Day 2004 - an incredibly fitting name for a show featuring Mordecai.
A spotlight appeared over Mordecai’s silhouette as he walked towards the ring, illuminating his sceptre and intensifying the suspenseful church-like organ tune accompanying him. Flames surrounded him as well as the “Judgement Day” logo behind him, as the camera faded to a fan sign that read “Mordecai is here.” Fast forward about five minutes and the master of The Worm is laid out in the centre of the canvas and Mordecai is standing victorious over his body.
For about a month prior to his debut, vignettes appeared, warning of the impending Mordecai, who threatened that everyone in the arena must “hear him” and “fear him.” In retrospect, he was probably referring to that killer crucifix powerbomb. The promos and vignettes alone got him over without even having an actual match yet. Not just for the fans, but for the big man too.
Supposedly, Vince McMahon adored the gimmick and a feud was eventually set up between Mordecai and The Undertaker. How sick would that have been? Heaven vs. hell and light vs. dark, but the roles would be reversed. Undertaker was a babyface and Mordecai was a heel. Undertaker represented all things demonic and Mordecai represented all things Godly. The feud writes itself. Unfortunately, we never got to see the match as Kevin Fertig, the man behind the Mordecai character, found himself in some legal trouble and WWE was forced to rewrite scripts and change plans. Not but a month later, Mordecai would make his last appearance on WWE television, after an unremarkable three-minute match against Rey Mysterio that he would lose.
Mordecai is a fascinating little tidbit of WWE history. It goes to show how delicate careers can be, and how even the most original ideas can be lost to time. His short stint is a reflection of how in order to properly enjoy wrestling, you have to live in the moment, as your favourite character could be gone at any moment.