QUITE AN UNDERTAKING: LOCAL MAN IMPERSONATES WWF WRESTLER

~Correction: Tom Nelson of Cape girardeau has spent the last few years impersonating the professional wrestler "The Undertaker," who wrestles with the popular World Wrestling Federation. (PHOTO BY CHRIS STANFIELD) (COLOR)

GRAPIC -- BODYSLAMMING THE BUSINESS

Strangers recognize Tom Nelson wherever he goes, but they never call him by the right name.

"It's the Undertaker! The Undertaker's driving the car," said 9-year old Marissa Williamson last October during a ride in one of the limousines Nelson owns. Nelson, who was chauffeuring Williamson and the wedding party she was with to a reception hall, wasn't surprised by her reaction.

"I've been at church praying and heard people whispering it," said Nelson, who bears a striking resemblance to the Undertaker, a motorcycle-riding, trash-talking wrestler in the explosively popular World Wrestling Federation. He said adults and children alike have told him he "could be a twin" to the popular wrestler.

"There's kids at my door every day just to see me," he said. "They sit across my street and watch me cut my grass. When I'm washing one of the limos, they'll stand there and watch me do that, too."

The popularity of the WWF and the Undertaker have rubbed off on Nelson, who now makes a tidy second income as the unofficial Undertaker Impersonator.

He travels around the nation making appearances as an impersonator at charity events, birthday parties and other special occasions. Most of his business is generated word of mouth or by people who happen upon his Internet Web site, http://www.lookslikeundertaker.com.

"Most of my business comes from the Web site," he said. "I make sure people know I'm not the real guy, but I think it's just the fact I look so much like him. I guess it's the desire to be near a celebrity that makes people call."

The decision to cash in on his resemblance to the Undertaker was made eight years ago after a friend repeatedly told Nelson he should watch a WWF match on television to see the likeness for himself.

At first, there was a resemblance but no mirror image. However, with the addition of a hair weave to his then-cropped locks, tattoos drawn on his arms, and a costume replica created by a friend from a picture, The Undertaker Impersonator was born.

Since then, Nelson has let his hair grow to shoulder length and frequently alters his costume to keep up with the wrestler's ever-changing style.

Gone are the hat and gloves he wore when he began his career as an impersonator. Instead, Nelson now wears a black bandana and a full-length, customized trench coat to match the outfit worn by the Undertaker since he returned to the ring after nearly a year's absence earlier this year to recuperate from an injury.

And no costume would be complete without the special boots Nelson wears to add about five inches to his 6'5", 270-pound frame. He said he needs every inch he can find to mimic The Undertaker's 6'10", 328-pound physique.

Calls made to WWF corporate offices last week were not returned.

Former WWF ring announcer Bill Dunn said the likeness is uncanny. Dunn, a Cape Girardeau resident who worked with the WWF for nearly 10 years, said Nelson could pass as a twin for The Undertaker when he wears the lift shoes, body art and costume replicas.

"Literally, it's a mirror image," he said.

Although he's not employed by the WWF, Nelson said he attends WWF live events in full regalia whenever possible with the hope one day he'll be hired by the corporation to be the wrestler's official impersonator.

"I've met him one time several years ago. I hope to meet him again someday," Nelson said. "It's definitely something I'd like to see happen."

BODYSLAMMING THE BUSINESS

Pro wrestling, led by the strength of the World Wrestling Fderation, has grown into a financial power. The WWF's figures for the 2000 fiscal year:

REVENUES: $379 million

EVENTS: 200 held in 100 North American cities.

ATTENDANCE: 2.3 million people.

VIEWERS: 22 million U.S. viewers each week. Additional viewers come from 12 pay-per-views each year.

OVERSEAS: Shows and events are televised in 135 countries.