Maven may not have made the call for his shocking elimination of The Undertaker during the 2002 Royal Rumble match, but that didn’t save him from having heat backstage.
Speaking to “Busted Open Radio,” Maven said he only learned of the elimination the day of the show and recalled some negativity from the roster following the event. He said,
“Before Andrew [Martin], Test, before he passed, he would give me the side eye all the time. We became really close before he passed, but he had no problem with telling me he was not on board. Hell, D-Von [Dudley] hated me more than anybody. D-Von, like one of my best friends to this day.
“But I can’t say that any of them were wrong. I didn’t deserve to be where I was at, but the thing that people don’t realize about professional wrestling [is that] deserves got nothing to do with this business. People hope and wish it did, but it’s got nothing to do with this business.”
Maven was with WWE from 2001 to 2005 and despite two reigns as Hardcore Champion, is best remembered for eliminating the Phenom from the Royal Rumble.
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Maven’s Shocking Elimination of The Undertaker: A Look Back at the 2002 Royal Rumble
In the world of professional wrestling, surprises and unexpected twists are part of what makes the sport so thrilling for fans. One such moment that left fans in awe and sparked controversy backstage was Maven’s elimination of The Undertaker during the 2002 Royal Rumble match. While Maven may not have made the call for this shocking turn of events, it certainly had a lasting impact on his career.
Maven Huffman, known simply as Maven in the wrestling world, recently opened up about his experience during an interview with Busted Open Radio. He revealed that he only learned of his elimination of The Undertaker on the day of the show, leaving him little time to mentally prepare for the momentous occasion. However, instead of basking in the glory of eliminating one of the industry’s most iconic figures, Maven found himself facing backlash from his fellow wrestlers.
Maven recalled that Andrew Martin, also known as Test, would often give him disapproving looks backstage. Despite becoming close friends before Test’s untimely passing, he did not hesitate to express his dissatisfaction with Maven’s position in the company. Another wrestler who harbored negative feelings towards Maven was D-Von Dudley, who ironically remains one of Maven’s closest friends to this day.
Reflecting on the situation, Maven admitted that he didn’t believe he deserved to be in the position he was in at that time. However, he also emphasized that professional wrestling is a business where deserving has little to do with success. While fans may hope that talent and hard work are the sole determinants of success in the industry, Maven’s experience serves as a reminder that other factors often come into play.
During his tenure with WWE from 2001 to 2005, Maven achieved some notable accomplishments, including two reigns as Hardcore Champion. However, it is his elimination of The Undertaker that remains etched in the memories of wrestling fans. The moment, captured in a video that continues to circulate online, showcases Maven’s unexpected victory over the Phenom and the subsequent shock and disbelief from the audience.
As Maven’s story demonstrates, professional wrestling is a complex world where unexpected twists and turns can shape a wrestler’s career. While Maven faced criticism and negativity from his peers, he persevered and continued to make a name for himself in the industry. Despite not reaching the heights of other wrestling legends, Maven’s story serves as a reminder that success in professional wrestling is often unpredictable and influenced by various factors beyond an individual’s control.
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