Undertaker vs. Mordecai: The WrestleMania match that never happened

It has been 15 years since Mordecai, one of the most bizarre characters to have graced your TV screens, debuted on SmackDown. Upon his arrival, he immediately began attacking fan-favorite faces and it was becoming clear that he was destined for a mega push.

But the push didn't come to fruition. Why?

Kevin Fertig was in WWE developmental when he was informed that Vince McMahon wanted to have a meeting with him. Elated, and nervous at the same time on the prospect of meeting the man, Fertig entered the meeting room and thus this story began to unfold.

Vince wanted Kevin to debut as a heel character, to which Kevin responded by suggesting his own idea of a heel that could garner immediate heat from the fans. He suggested a religious character that would appear as a savior to the masses. Dressed in white, he would be determined to absolve the world of sin. Vince immediately loved the idea!

As Fertig was leaving the room, Senior VP of Talent Operations, John Laurinaitis, whispered in his ear, "You're going to make millions out of this!"

Almost immediately, Fertig learned that WWE had big plans for him. Apparently, the plan was to build up Mordecai as an anti-Undertaker character, and to pit him against the Deadman at the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania 21!

After weeks of cryptic promos, featuring 'Mordecai', who promised to come to the WWE and rid the world of sin, he finally made his debut against Scotty 2 Hotty, destroying him at Judgement Day, a SmackDown exclusive PPV. Mordecai's next victim was Hardcore Holly, who was disposed of in quick succession at The Great American Bash PPV. Things were looking great for the pale rider.

One fateful night, days after the Bash, Fertig got into an altercation in a bar. The news reached Vince, and he was reportedly furious on this disorderly conduct on the part of Fertig.

The Mordecai character was never seen on SmackDown after the bar incident. Vince McMahon scrapped every single plan concerning Mordecai. Kevin Fertig had dropped the ball. At WrestleMania, The Undertaker faced the legend killer, Randy Orton, in an inter-promotional match, advancing his undefeated streak to 13-0.

Fertig came back to the WWE as the Vampire, Kevin Thorn, debuting on the ECW brand, but was later sent back to developmental, never to be featured on television again.

Fertig's second persona, Kevin Thorn, debuted on E.C.W., 2 years later.

It's interesting to ponder on what could have happened if Kevin Fertig hadn't messed up. He could have probably gone on to become a formidable opponent for the Deadman for years to come, just like the legendary Mankind in the late 90s. Or maybe the WWE would have dropped him off television immediately after his outing with the Undertaker at WrestleMania 21.

Unfortunately, we'll never know the answer.