The Undertaker Talks About Allegations of Hitting Kanyon Due to His Sexuality

Chris Kanyon, a former wrestler for WCW and WWE, tragically ended his life at the age of 40, largely due to the stress of concealing his sexuality.

A pivotal moment in his career occurred during a “WWE Smackdown” segment in February 2003 when Kanyon, dressed as Boy George, surprised The Undertaker with a rendition of “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?” The Undertaker responded with stiff chair shots, sparking speculation among wrestling fans that it was a reaction to Kanyon’s sexuality.

In a later interview, The Undertaker, also known as ‘Taker, addressed the rumors, denying any knowledge of Kanyon’s sexual orientation at the time of the incident. He emphasized that his actions with the chair were not influenced by Kanyon’s personal life and dismissed the notion that he targeted Kanyon because of his sexuality.

Despite this, Kanyon expressed in his book “Wrestling Reality: The Life and Mind of Chris Kanyon, Wrestling’s Gay Superstar,” that he felt the segment was orchestrated to humiliate him, suggesting it was another instance of Vince McMahon using embarrassment as a tool.

Reflecting on the incident years later, The Undertaker acknowledged that he would approach similar situations differently, particularly in light of what is now known about head injuries in wrestling.

He expressed regret over the chair shots and advised performers to prioritize safety by protecting themselves during such encounters. WWE ultimately released Kanyon from his contract in 2004, further adding to the challenges he faced in his career.

In 2006, Kanyon made headlines again when he disrupted a WWE house show, holding up a sign that read “Pray for my gay soul” during a match involving D-Generation X. This act was seen as a public statement about his struggles with his sexuality within the wrestling industry.

Kanyon’s story highlights the complexities and hardships faced by individuals in professional wrestling, particularly regarding issues of identity and acceptance, and serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding in such environments.