Maven Recalls Shane McMahon Telling Him He Was Eliminating The Undertaker In The 2002 WWE Royal Rumble

Maven has recalled the moment he was told by Shane McMahon that he was shockingly eliminating the Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble.

Maven wrote his name into WWE folklore 19 years ago when the Tough Enough winner dropkicked the legendary Phenom over the top rope in WWE's annual 30-man battle royal, briefly establishing himself as a big-time player in the promotion.

The then-youngster would go on to have a brief feud with 'Taker, including winning the Hardcore Title from him.

Maven has opened up on being told he was involved in the match and then McMahon coming to find him, along with Undertaker, to tell him about the now-famous moment.

Speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Maven said: "I dare to say that it was the spot. If you ask anyone to mention anything from the 2002 Royal Rumble, what are they going to say? I honestly have no clue who won that match.

"So at the time, I was finally training and I was in HWA in Cincinnati. They flew me to Atlanta and they said 'You're probably going to have a spot in the Rumble.' I'm like OK maybe I will get to come out. But I had wrestled Taz a couple of times and I had also wrestled Booker T on SmackDown. I had a little bit more TV experience by this time.

I get to the arena and I am walking to the ring. Shane [McMahon] and Taker come up and see me. They say 'Mave, we want to tell you what we've got going on tonight.' Already, Shane, why does he care? And why is Taker here? I thought it would be one of the agents coming up to me telling me 'Hey you are coming in 17th and going out 18th.' Then they tell me.

"They are like 'Taker is going to sh*t can everyone out. The Hardys, Lita, then you are going to come out. It's going to be you and him. You're going to hit him with that dropkick and eliminate him.' I'm like 'What?' Taker, no lie, turns, looks down at Shane, and says 'Are you f*cking kidding me?' I didn't know. I thought he was being told this information at the time too. I'm like Jesus I'm dead. Please just die right now. Then he just turns and winks at me.

"That just shows what a professional he was. He was willing to put me over and to do that favor. It wasn't just for me, it was for the wrestling business. I will spend the rest of my life answering questions about that for the rest of my life. He gave me a career."

H/T Fightful