The Undertaker is one of the most legendary figures in wrestling history, but even he struggled with retirement. On Six Feet Under, he opened up about the difficult transition out of the ring.

“I didn’t know that I wanted to coach. I didn’t know what to do. This is all I’d known for 30 years,” he admitted.

For decades, The Undertaker was the locker room leader in WWE. He traveled nonstop, performed at the highest level, and helped shape the business. But when the time came to step away, he felt lost.

“You can still love the business, but it doesn’t love you back the same way after you’re done,” he said.

DDP, who also struggled with life after wrestling, could relate. “That’s why I threw everything into DDP Yoga. I had to find something that gave me purpose again,” he said.

Undertaker admitted that watching DDP’s second act was inspiring.

“Honestly, as great as your wrestling career was, I think what you’re doing now might be your greatest legacy,” he told DDP. “Helping people walk again, giving them hope—man, that’s bigger than selling out arenas.”

Now, Undertaker has found his own path, but he acknowledges how tough retirement can be.

“It’s hard to walk away from something that’s been your life for so long. And no one really prepares you for that part.”

Life After Wrestling

Since retiring from in-ring competition in 2020, The Undertaker has remained actively involved in WWE through various roles. You may have heard, he hosts the popular “Six Feet Under” wrestling podcast.

He also continues to tour with his successful “1 deadMAN SHOW” stage show, featuring him sharing never-before-heard stories from his Hall of Fame career and taking questions from fans in an intimate setting. The show has consistently sold out venues across major cities across the US and UK.

He currently serves as a coach on A&E’s reality series “WWE LFG (Legends and Future Greats)” alongside fellow wrestling icons Mickie James, Booker T, and Bubba Ray Dudley. On the show, which premiered in February 2025, Taker mentors the aspiring wrestlers who are competing for potential WWE contracts.

Through these endeavors, The Undertaker continues to shape the future of professional wrestling, passing on his unique perspective and expertise to the next generation of WWE talent.

DDP’s WWE debut was one of the most controversial in wrestling history. Instead of being presented as a top WCW star, he was booked as The Undertaker’s wife’s stalker. Looking back, DDP regrets not fighting it.

“If I had been in WCW, I would have fought it. But I wanted to be a team player in WWE, so I went with it,” he admitted on Six Feet Under.

DDP explained that he had pitched an entirely different idea—The People’s Champion vs. The People’s Champion—where he would challenge The Rock.

“I had this whole vision: lights go out, everyone thinks it’s Jericho, and then boom—‘Who’s the real People’s Champion?’ But I let them talk me out of it,” he said.

Instead, he found himself stuck in a storyline that didn’t make sense.

“I should have said, ‘Are you looking at my wife? She’s one of the most beautiful women in the world. You think I’d stalk Undertaker’s wife?’”

The angle flopped, and DDP’s WWE career never recovered. But he took an important lesson from it.

“That was the first time I let someone talk me out of my gut instinct, and I learned a big lesson from it.”

For all the battles Mark Henry endured in his legendary career, none shook him quite like his WrestleMania 22 casket match against The Undertaker. Henry, who suffers from claustrophobia, describes the experience as overwhelming and terrifying.

Speaking with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at the For The Love of Wrestling 2025 convention, the “World’s Strongest Man” gave a terrifying glimpse into what it’s like to get sealed into a casket by WWE’s legendary Phenom:

“It was like people putting tape over your mouth and nose. You can’t breathe.”

Henry even compared the sensation to the infamous buried-alive scene from Kill Bill, starring Uma Thurman.

“That’s the same way I felt when I was in that coffin… It made me feel the same identical way. I had to walk out of the movie when I saw it.”

Despite the fear, Henry delivered a hard-hitting performance against The Undertaker on the grandest stage of them all. But the mental battle he fought inside that casket remains one of the most intense challenges of his career.

This revelation sheds new light on the psychological toll that wrestlers endure beyond the physical pain—showing that even the toughest competitors have their breaking points.

More on the Undertaker vs Mark Henry Casket Match at WrestleMania 22

The Undertaker and Mark Henry spoke extensively about their Casket Match at WrestleMania 22 during a recent episode of Taker’s Six Feet Under podcast. Henry called it a defining moment in his career, revealing that their clash was the culmination of a two-year learning experience, during which he wrestled The Undertaker at house shows and international tours.

“I had wrestled already eight years and I still was learning,” Henry admitted. “I can wrestle anybody now after being there with him.”

One of the key lessons The Undertaker imparted was the importance of pacing and creating space. “Let me sell what you’ve done to me already,” The Undertaker explained. “You are watching me helpless, and now it’s just a matter of time before you go in for that final bite.”

The Undertaker also revealed that he personally chose Henry as his WrestleMania opponent, explaining that finding credible challengers for his near-mythical character was difficult.

“Trying to find legitimate opponents… well, why not the World’s Strongest Man?” he said.

Their match made history as the only casket match ever held at WrestleMania, further cementing The Undertaker’s legacy. “To be a part of that… that’s kind of a cool thing,” Henry said, before jokingly adding, “And to get a WrestleMania Main Event paycheck? Nice.”

The Undertaker is one of the longest-tenured locker room leaders in the history of WWE. During this time as an active performer in the company, he had to deal with many rumbustious talents behind the scenes. Though no one was a bigger thorn on his side than Shawn Michaels.

Even though the WWE Hall of Famer turned things around after his first retirement, stories of HBK’s mischiefs during his first WWE run are available in abundance.

The Dead Man talked about his chemistry with Michaels during his recent interview with Bully Ray for Busted Open. After having finished a whole bottle of Jack Daniels with the fellow legend, Taker did not hold back on his opinion on Michaels during those early years. Though he also praised Shawn’s in-ring abilities, saying that there was no one else he would have rather had a match against:

“It’s the craziest thing and that’s another example of this business. I tell this story quite a bit. In those early years, up until the time when Shawn took off because he had hurt his back. So WrestleMania was it 13 when he put Steve over? Then he left. He leaves for five years.

From that point all the way back to 1990 when I came in. I tell people this all the time. If I was to go backstage and see Shawn Michaels on fire, I wouldn’t piss on him to put him out. I didn’t care for him as a human being. But there’s nobody, that I had rather be in the ring with. Now that right there is a huge statement.

I’ve been in the ring with greats. I’ve been in there with the Mount Rushmore greats. Shawn had the ability; he could have a five-star match with a broomstick. We just had this magic chemistry that I knew anytime that I was in a match with Shawn, all I had to do was be Undertaker and he was going to be Shawn Michaels and it was just going to go.”

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I Didn’t Have To Think For Him: The Undertaker

Shawn Michaels had to retire from active competition in early 1998 after suffering a major back injury in a casket match with Undertaker. It was during this time that Mr. WrestleMania turned things around and became a born-again Christian in 2002 before his return to in-ring action.

While talking about his matches with Michaels, Bully Ray discussed how there were many matches where Taker had to worry about getting his opponent through the bout. With Shawn however, he could be completely himself:

“That was the magic of WrestleMania 25, 26, 27 and 28 is that we had such trust in each other. We knew each other so well; our mindsets and our instincts were all on the same page.

I knew all I had to do was go out and be Undertaker because Shawn Michaels was going to be Shawn Michaels. The two knew exactly what to do together. I didn’t have to think for him, he didn’t have to think for me. That’s why it became so magical because it was just two guys doing what they do.”

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Ludwig Kaiser’s dramatic rise as a singles star has caught the attention of WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, the German Superstar has shared. On the Insight podcast, Kaiser recalled receiving high praise from the Phenom of WWE.

“Goosebumps, man. That’s crazy. The Undertaker tells you exactly what you need to hear. No sugarcoating.”

The WWE legend didn’t just offer compliments to Kaiser, who transitioned into a singles role in 2024. The Undertaker also gave Kaiser direct advice on how to elevate his game.

“He told me what I needed to do, and it was something I had already felt myself. He reassured me that I was on the right path.”

Though Kaiser stopped short of every detail of the meeting, he shared that the pair spoke for 20 minutes. Recognizing that the Undertaker didn’t have to speak to him, Kaiser called their talk a pivotal changing point in his career.

“He didn’t have to do that. He’s The Undertaker. But he cared. And that meant a lot to me… “If that meeting hadn’t happened, who knows? It was one of those moments in life where you go, ‘Man, this changes everything.’”

Now Kaiser has a duty to “live up” to the interest The Undertaker has taken in him. Whether 2025 marks the breakout year Kaiser is hoping for or not, the former tag team champion is ready to prove that The Undertaker’s faith in him is truly valid.

During WWE’s darkest days in the Monday Night Wars, when WCW was dominating for 83 straight weeks, many top stars jumped ship for bigger paydays and lighter schedules. By late 1997, the “Hart” of the World Wrestling Federation had been ripped out and discarded, but the “Soul” never left.

Speaking on Busted Open, The Deadman revealed that despite tempting offers, he refused to abandon WWE—even when things looked bleak.

“I knew that man [Vince McMahon] gave me an opportunity… there was no way in hell I was going there [WCW], no matter the money,” he said.

Taker recalled a particularly sobering moment when he walked out to a WWE event and saw a near-empty arena.

“I couldn’t see a soul. We had to pack everyone on the hard camera side to make it look full. I remember thinking, ‘What the hell is going on?’”

Despite WCW stars like Kevin Nash personally calling him with massive financial offers, Undertaker remained loyal to WWE. His frustration with WCW stemmed from the fact that the company once told him he’d never draw money. Even in WWE’s worst years, his pride wouldn’t let him return.

In a surprising twist, Taker admitted that if he had an amateur wrestling background, he might have considered trying his luck in MMA instead.

“UFC was coming up big at the time. If I had a wrestling base, I probably would have tested those waters.”

But in the end, The Undertaker chose to stick with WWE—and as history shows, things worked out just fine for the Dead Man his his legacy.

The Undertaker on CM Punk: “He’s Actually Very Pleasant To Be Around, It’s Like a Different Guy”

CM Punk’s return to WWE has been one of the most talked-about stories in wrestling, but perhaps the biggest endorsement yet comes from The Undertaker himself. Speaking on Busted Open, the WWE legend praised Punk’s growth, noting a significant change in his demeanor since his earlier run with the company.

“He’s actually very pleasant to be around… it’s like a different guy. It’s like a weight has been lifted off of him,” The Undertaker said.

Punk, known for his outspoken nature and past backstage tensions, was often seen as difficult to work with. However, Taker now sees him as someone who is engaged, personable, and willing to share his knowledge with younger talent.

“Before he left the first time, he was very aloof, sometimes combative. One of those guys that wanted to fight for every hill, even if it wasn’t in a good way,” he explained. “Now, he’s cutting up with people, engaging in conversations. It tells me that’s probably a consistent thing for him now.”

Punk recently appeared at the WWE Performance Center to mentor up-and-coming talent, further showcasing this newfound maturity. Undertaker believes that if Punk chooses to, he could become a respected veteran who helps shape the future of WWE.

As Punk prepares for his Elimination Chamber match, his in-ring abilities remain top-tier—but perhaps his biggest transformation has been behind the scenes.

The Undertaker and CM Punk

The Undertaker and CM Punk’s rivalry culminated during their WrestleMania 29 program in 2013, following Punk’s victory in a fatal four-way match to challenge Undertaker’s undefeated streak. Their relationship had started years earlier, with Undertaker mentoring Punk on WWE’s dress code policies, maintaining a generally positive working relationship despite occasional tensions.

The storyline intensified following the real-life passing of Paul Bearer, Undertaker’s longtime manager. Punk incorporated Bearer’s death into the narrative, stealing his symbolic urn and using it to taunt Undertaker, culminating in a controversial segment where Punk poured the urn’s ashes over his opponent. Their WrestleMania match featured Living Colour performing Punk’s entrance theme and several dramatic near-falls before Undertaker secured victory with two Tombstone Piledrivers.

The match received widespread acclaim, earning 4½ stars from Dave Meltzer and ranking as WrestleMania 29’s highest-rated contest. Paul Heyman later revealed he had suggested Punk break the streak to potentially prevent his WWE departure. Both performers have expressed mutual respect, with Undertaker praising their match and dismissing rumors of backstage animosity.

The Undertaker’s WrestleMania legacy was a staple of WWE for decades, but nearly took a a disastrous turn early on thanks to Vince McMahon.

On his Six Feet Under podcast, Mark Calaway recalled McMahon being furious with him over his WrestleMania 8 match with Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts over a change to the finish.

“‘What the hell was that?! Nobody can see it!’, he recalled Vince yelling.

He eviscerated me. Oh my gosh, he lit me up.”

The planned finish was for The Undertaker to hit a Tombstone on Roberts in the ring, eaning the Deadman his second WrestleMania win. However, in the heat of the moment, he decided to deliver it on the floor instead.

While Calaway, still a relative newcomer to WWE, took the verbal onslaught, the veteran Roberts knew it was wise to avoid the irate McMahon.

“I didn’t shower. I just grabbed my stuff and got the hell out.”

Undertaker admitted that the moment taught him a hard lesson about following direct instructions in WWE. From that night on, he made sure to double-check finishes with McMahon before heading to the ring.

The Phenom’s WrestleMania streak would continue on until 2014, when Brock Lesnar conquered the Undertaker in New Orleans. Though McMahon was an obvious key part in the Deadman’s future success at the event, this story is a reminder of how one small misstep could have changed everything.

The Undertaker has revealed which current WWE stars he likes to watch.

The Dead Man recently had an interview with Shak Wrestling to promote WWE LFG. During the interview, he talked about the stacked main event scene in the company currently and how there are a lot of guys reaching for that ‘brass ring.’

When asked if there is anyone in particular that stands out to him, The Undertaker once again named Gunther. He reiterated his comments about how there is no wasted movement with the Ring General. The WWE Hall of Famer explained that every move the world champion does means something and his character work is equally as impressive:

“He believes in who he is, and in turn, the audience believes that’s who it is. And I haven’t really seen him ever where he was that far different than what you see on TV, even backstage. Which you know me I appreciate that more so than anything. I like Gunther.”

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I Love Watching Jacob: The Undertaker

The wrestling veteran also gave a nod to the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso before discussing how Jacob Fatu has a bright future ahead:

“Obviously, Jey Uso’s ascent. Jacob [Fatu], he hasn’t even scratched the surface. Dude, I love watching Jacob. I mean, he’s got that thing. He’s got it. When he’s on TV you want to see what he’s doing. And so again, he’s another one of those that just scratched the surface to where he has the potential to go.”

The Undertaker later talked about John Cena’s retirement tour. He said that not everyone deserves such a tour and explained how Cena’s retirement will change wrestling farewells. You can check out his comments on the matter here.

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The Undertaker has never been one to sugarcoat things, and his recent comments about WWE newcomer BJ Ray prove just that. In an interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, The Phenom weighed in on a heated moment from WWE LFG, where Bubba Ray Dudley clashed with the young talent over his approach to the business.

The Undertaker, who serves as a coach on the show, made it clear that BJ Ray still has a lot to learn, despite being a Duke wrestling alum.

“He’s got a ton of personality, but I think he’s going to outwork himself,” he said. “He’s one of those people who thinks they have all the answers and doesn’t know one of the questions.”

The Deadman didn’t question BJ Ray’s ambition, but he did warn that confidence without humility can be a dangerous mix.

“I think he just believes, ‘I’m going to garner attention and people are going to notice me.’ But what ends up happening is he rubs people the wrong way. He’s a minnow swimming with sharks, and it’s not pretty.”

The Undertaker’s words reflect a long-standing truth in WWE—star power alone isn’t enough. To make it in the industry, talent must be paired with respect, patience, and a willingness to learn from veterans.

WWE LFG offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at this challenging journey, premiering February 16th at 8/7c on A&E. The show follows aspiring superstars as they navigate the grueling world of WWE, featuring exclusive interviews, never-before-seen footage, and the return of WWE Rivals immediately afterward.

For decades, The Undertaker has been a cornerstone of WWE, witnessing the rise and fall of countless superstars. In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, he reflected on the competitive nature of WWE’s main event scene and what it takes to truly stand out.

Looking back at the Attitude Era, The Undertaker acknowledged that breaking through to the top has never been easy.

“Stone Cold had that number one spot—nobody can deny that,” he said. “And it is what it is. It was what it was. But that was still motivation for everybody underneath him. Everybody was reaching for that brass ring.”

He emphasized that frustration is part of the journey, but sitting back and complaining won’t change anything.

“Sometimes you have to wait, but you have to be prepared. You can’t sit back and say, ‘Oh man, I got overlooked.’ You have to look at what you’re doing, be able to evolve, take chances, and never be content.”

The Undertaker believes this relentless mindset is what separates legends from those who fade away.

“Regardless of whether I ever achieved the top spot while Steve was there, my goal was always to get there. That’s the mindset you have to have. You just can’t let frustration overtake you.”

As WWE continues to evolve, The Undertaker sees a hunger in today’s roster that reminds him of the past. For rising stars, his message is clear—work harder than everyone else and seize every opportunity.

Fans can watch WWE’s next generation put this philosophy to the test in WWE LFG, premiering February 16th at 8/7c on A&E. The series takes viewers inside the world of WWE’s rising talent, featuring exclusive content, interviews, and never-before-seen footage.

The Undertaker has opened up about John Cena’s retirement tour.

The Dead Man recently had an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri to promote the new WWE LFG show. He talked about things such as the current main event scene in WWE, the future of stars such as Gunther and Jacob Fatu and more.

The experience of Taker on the last leg of his career was very different than Cena as he went back and forth on retirement for multiple years before finally calling it a career. During the interview, the wrestling veteran was asked what are some of the signs that wrestlers should look for to make the decision at the right time. The Phenom explained that you have to regularly assess your physical condition and love for the business:

“You have to constantly assess where you’re at physically. Although we have the ability to push through pain, you have to realize ‘How important is this still to me?’ There’s a time period that Cena did everything. He was on every house show. He was on every pay-per-view. He did every meet and greet. He did all the make-a-wish. And he wanted it. He was like ‘I want it all’ and now he’s had this 20-year run or however long his run was.

Now he is trying to branch out and to do other things. So you have to, you can’t mail it in. You can’t do this business the way it needs to be done if you’re not 100% committed. I think that’s where he’s at. Like I know in John’s soul he loves this business, just like Rock loves the business but there’s this thing – you want to test the water to different things and challenge yourself in a different way.”

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This Might Be The Prototype: The Undertaker

The Undertaker had multiple WrestleMania matches which he considered to be the end of his in-ring career but he was always convinced by Vince McMahon to come back. The WWE Hall of Famer finally hanged his boot after competing in the highly praised boneyard match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36.

Speaking about the approach of John Cena who is spending the whole of 2025 going to different places one last time, The Last Outlaw expressed the belief that it’ll become a prototype for other wrestlers who want to retire:

“I think it’s great that they’re doing this tour the way they are. I don’t think everybody deserves that. I think Cena definitely does because of the workhorse that he was for so long. I think it’s great because people will have an opportunity to know where he’s going to be and you’re going to get one last opportunity maybe to see him live. I think that’s pretty cool.

I think John gets to get his flowers the way he should. I think this might be the prototype for certain wrestlers to do their Swan Song and leave. But your original question I mean you have to be 100% committed to making this everything. Your whole career has to evolve or revolve around the wrestling part of it.”

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The Undertaker has defended his recent meeting with Vince McMahon.

The former WWE owner recently made a rare public appearance, being spotted at the Super Bowl event. He wasn’t the only wrestling name at the show. Both The Dead Man and Shane McMahon were seen hanging out with the boss during the night. A lot of people were critical of this outing in light of Vince’s ongoing legal battle with ex-employee Janel Grant.

During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, the Hall of Famer tried to defend his meeting with the former WWE chairman. The Undertaker admitted that he was a guest of Vince McMahon at the event. Speaking about the horrific accusations against his former boss, the retired wrestling star claimed that he does not know anything about it:

“Look, I’m gonna get hate for that. Listen, I don’t know. I don’t know. People think, ‘Oh, you guys are so close you know [everything.]’ I don’t know what has been done, what hasn’t been done. We don’t talk about those things, right? But he is a friend of mine.”

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That’s The Way It Is: The Undertaker

The Undertaker discussed how Vince gave him an opportunity to make something of his life and the two became very good friends over the years. He also advised people critical of his continued friendship with McMahon to ‘get off their high horse’:

“So, I don’t know everything that’s happened, what’s going on, and I’m not the judge on this case. I’m not the judge. There’s only one judge. That’s the man upstairs. He’s gonna give us all whatever we deserve at the end, and that’s what it [is]. I think people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

And I think if you really look at your life and people who get off their high horse and their righteousness on social media and everything else…I don’t have to agree with everything that people do. It doesn’t change the fact that I love somebody, and I’m friends with somebody. It doesn’t mean I’m gonna do the same things. But that’s the way it is.”

The former World Champion noted that the last time he met Vince was in Saudi Arabia right after the latter’s back surgery. Per Taker, the longtime wrestling executive looked ‘much better’ this time around and was more like the ‘old Vince’ he has known through the years. Addressing the people critical of him over the meeting, the Attitude Era star said that he doesn’t ‘give a shit’ about their opinion and said ‘I don’t conform, if you’re my friend, you’re my friend.’

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On the Insight podcast, Michelle McCool opened up about her marriage to WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker. McCool shared that while dating within WWE wasn’t uncommon, her relationship with the Deadman made her a target for criticism in ways others weren’t.

“I just know that I wasn’t the only one dating guys around there, and I definitely didn’t see that from anybody else.”

The pair began dating in the late 2000s, coinciding with McCool’s lengthy reign as WWE Women’s Champion. While some may suspect that her relationship with the WWE icon gave her advantages, McCool was adamant that she always fought her own battles.

“I actually am so stubborn, I don’t ever need any type of help to fight any battle, to fight a storyline, to pitch a storyline… I can look in the mirror and just say that’s never happened.”

On the podcast, McCool recalled an incident with a colleague, andshared that she had to “beg” The Undertaker not to escalate the matter, fearing it’d look bad on McCool’s part. Though she avoided naming names, McCool shared that writers within WWE took issue with her relationship.

“There were writers that literally threw up their papers. ‘If she wasn’t The Undertaker’s girlfriend…’”

McCool also battled two-faced individuals within WWE, sharing that people treated her very differently once they learned of her relationship with the Phenom. Michelle recalled making clear to someone that she was the same person she was ten minutes ago, before they’d learned of her relationship.

Despite these experiences, McCool remained steadfast in proving herself through hard work and resilience. Her insights provide a rare glimpse into the backstage dynamics of WWE and the challenges that come with being in a relationship with one of the most respected women in WWE history.

For decades, The Undertaker played a key role in WWE both as an on-screen performer and as a backstage figure. Though his career in the ring is a thing of the past, the WWE Hall of Famer continues to influence wrestlers throughout WWE.

In 2015, Bray Wyatt feuded with The Undertaker in a clash of two of WWE’s darkest characters. In a video hyping up WWE LFG, Wyatt reflected on The Undertaker’s teaching nature in footage from before the passing of Windham Rotunda.

“He teaches everyone, everything. That’s just how powerful he is here. To say I learned one thing from him is an understatement.”

Wyatt was not the only name who had praise for the Undertaker in the video. WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque highlighted the importance of talent like the Phenom to “pass on their knowledge,” adding that it is key to the “survival of the business.” John Cena feuded with The Undertaker in 2003 and the pair would share the ring several in the subsequent years. A WWE icon in his own right, Cena described The Undertaker as “our never-ending, ass-kicking, undead phenomenon.”

Why The Undertaker Opposes John Cena Winning A 17th WWE World Title

Bray Wyatt tragically passed in August 2023, and new footage of the former World Champion is a rarity for fans to witness. As this video shows, Wyatt was among the many WWE Superstars who benefitted greatly from the work of The Undertaker.

Ricky Starks shocked fans by debuting in WWE NXT on the February 11, episode, close to a year after his final appearance for AEW. On Busted Open Radio, The Undertaker was a guest and shared his live reaction to Starks’ WWE NXT debut.

“I’ve seen him a few times here and there. I’ve always had great conversations with him. He’s such a good kid, such a respectful kid. So that [Starks’ NXT debut] caught me completely off guard.”

While The Undertaker and Starks have yet to share the screen, the Phenom recalled meeting Starks in the gym when training for his WrestleMania 32 Hell in a Cell showdown with Shane McMahon.

“I noticed this kid is there every day and [he] doesn’t say anything, really respectful. As the training went along and we needed different spotters and different help, he was always right there.”

During their meet-ups in the gym, Starks shared that he was trying to break into the business and The Undertaker gave him some pointers about “different things.” Years later, the pair would reconnect as Starks would train with Michelle McCool ahead of her appearance in a Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Starks’ arrival comes after a mixed relationship with AEW that saw the 2023 Men’s Owen Hart Cup winner go unused for months despite being cleared to wrestle. Now, Starks has joined those who’ve left WWE for AEW and is ready to make an impact in WWE NXT.

For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SEScoops.

Several high-profile figures from the world of professional wrestling were present at Super Bowl LIX, held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

WWE Hall of Famer and U.S. President Donald Trump attended the game, making history as the first sitting president to do so. Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and The Undertaker were also spotted at the event, adding to the strong wrestling presence at the Super Bowl.

WWE legends The Bella Twins watched the big game live, and mingled with All Elite Wrestling star Britt Baker.

AEW CEO Tony Khan was in attendance as well, arriving on the Kismet, a 400-foot, $360 million yacht owned by his father, Shad Khan. AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland were on hand, with Swerve joking that they were just there to see Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance.

Outside the stadium, WWE’s influence extended to the commercial breaks. Appliance maker Bosch aired its first-ever Super Bowl ad, featuring an actor portraying Macho Man Randy Savage alongside Antonio Banderas.

Beyond the wrestling world, Super Bowl LIX attracted a host of other celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, and Lionel Messi. The game saw the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles.

For decades, The Undertaker wowed and terrified the WWE Universe with his character-work, though the WWE Hall of Famer has appeared as himself since retiring. On his Six Feet Under podcast, Mark Calaway, the man behind the character, explained why he’s not interested in bringing back The Undertaker.

“I’ve really pushed to kind of be more Mark Calaway now, because I want to honor that character and the work that I did, and all the kayfabing that I did for that character.”

Calaway did not rule out appearing as The Undertaker, but argued that the return of the Deadman would cost a lot, and would have to make sense. Using a line from his character’s playbook, Calaway is ready to let the Undertaker character go.

“Not being corny, but I do want to let The Undertaker kind of rest in peace and kind of everything now that you see, like the other night on the Netflix deal, was the American Badass.”

Calaway has appeared for WWE a handful of times since his retirement, including sharing a moment with Rhea Ripley during WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix. While his days of donning the iconic hat and trenchcoat may be over, the WWE Hall of Famer continues to command the respect of fans and talent alike.

The Undertaker Laughs At Hulk Hogan Getting Booed: “Things Come Back”

The Undertaker feels Brock Lesnar did not need to break the Streak.

The ending of The Dead Man’s famous WrestleMania winning streak remains one of the most controversial decisions ever taken in wrestling. Many people still believe that Taker should have retired undefeated while others argue that the win should have been given to an up-and-coming name to take their careers to the next level.

The WWE Legend himself also feels that Brock Lesnar should not have been the one. During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, The Undertaker discussed how someone else could have benefited from the victory:

“I didn’t feel like Brock needed it, right? Brock was…and people you know, all the internet geniuses [were like] ‘Well, you know, he lost this, and he didn’t do this, and he didn’t do that. He needed a win.’ Brock was an attraction all to himself by this time. Would it have helped Bray? Obviously, would have helped Bray. Would it have skyrocketed Roman? Probably, if they’d have got that juice.”

• Why The Undertaker Opposes John Cena Winning A 17th WWE World Title

I Didn’t Like The Way It Panned Out: The Undertaker

The Phenom also talked about how Vince McMahon went back and forth on the decision to end The Streak for weeks before WrestleMania XXX. To Undertaker the disturbing part of the whole thing was that the decision was made at the last minute:

“But again, it wasn’t my call. I questioned it. The thing that was the most disturbing for me was when I got to the building that day, I was going over. I didn’t like the way it panned out. So it’s early afternoon in the Superdome. I’m in a room completely by myself, and the old man walks in and you know, that just doesn’t happen. As soon as I saw him, I knew right away.”

Brock Lesnar remains off WWE TV after being implicated in Janel Grant’s sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon. You can check out details of the amended complaint filed by Grant earlier this month here.

• LA Knight On Celebrity Involvement In Wrestling: Some People Just Don’t Belong In A Ring

John Cena has made it clear that he wants to win one last WWE Championship before retiring in 2025. While Cena hopes that a win in the upcoming Elimination Chamber match will take him one step closer to that elusive 17th World Title reign, The Undertaker believes that’s not the right move.

Why The Undertaker Doesn’t Want Cena to Win a Championship

During his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker was asked if he hopes Cena achieves his goal of winning a world title in his retirement year. Though countless fans believe the record-breaking reign would be a fitting end for Cena, The Undertaker kept his response blunt. :

“I hope not. I know that sounds bad… You’ve already showed that you’d rather be in Hollywood instead of here… He needs to put other people over at this point.”

The Undertaker’s comments come at an interesting time, as Cena has yet to win a singles match since 2018 and has been putting others ‘over’ ever since. Later in the show, the Deadman clarified that while John should have huge moments on his farewell tour, taking a title reign from somebody else shouldn’t be among them.

“He needs to get some key wins, but in the big matches, he probably should pass the baton on.”

Undertaker’s stance aligns with WWE’s long-standing tradition of veteran stars helping establish younger talent on their way out. Interestingly though, The Undertaker’s own final match, the much-acclaimed Boneyard Match with AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36, saw the Phenom get the win.

Cena’s Legacy and WWE’s Changing Landscape

Cena’s contributions to WWE are undeniable, but The Undertaker believes the focus should remain on the full-time performers who carry the company forward. Speaking as WWE as a whole, the Deadman was pleased to see how things have changed under the guidance of former in-ring rival Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

“He’s doing amazing… It’s crazy for me—Monday night used to be chaos, now everyone is so chill backstage.”

Cena and Levesque will work closely to craft a final year fitting for WWE’s Greatest of All Time. However, if The Undertaker has his way, Cena’s story won’t end with another championship reign, but rather with him paving the way for the next generation.

On his Six Feet Under podcast, WWE legend The Undertaker recently shared his thoughts on the evolution of women’s wrestling, highlighting its significant growth and impact on the industry. The WWE Hall of Famer had big praise for names like Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley, as well as storylines that have surpassed the men’s division in intensity.

Becky Lynch’s Breakout & Star Power

After her transformation into ‘The Man’ in 2018, Becky Lynch became one of the most popular women in wrestling history. As fans eagerly await the return of Lynch, The Undertaker had nothing but praise for the former WWE Women’s World Champion.

She blew up quick, super talented… she’s got the full package.”

Women’s Division Gaining Respect

WWE’s handling of women has changed dramatically throughout the Undertaker’s career, as for years, the female roster were treated as little more than eye-candy. Now, The Undertaker is pleased to see women not only be taken serious, but in some cases, are showing more intensity than their male counterparts.

“[There is] a little bit more grit than the men did... I think they kind of figured that out too and were like, ‘We got to step up our games.’”

Current Storylines & Rhea Ripley’s Role

The Undertaker’s most recent appearance for WWE came on Raw’s Netflix debut where he shared a moment with Rhea Ripley after her title victory over Liv Morgan. On the podcast, the Phenom pointed at Rhea Ripley’s feud with Liv Morgan, calling it one of WWE’s strongest rivalries, just behind The Bloodline. The Undertaker also had praise for Ripley, who’s dominance in the ring has helped her grow increasingly important in the company.

The Future of Women’s Wrestling

The future of WWE’s women’s division also looks to be in strong hands with names like Roxanne Perez, Giulia, Cora Jade, Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, Kelani Jordan, and more tearing it up in WWE NXT. As for The Undertaker, his comments reflect the division’s transformation from an underappreciated attraction to a legitimate main-event staple.

In a recent episode of his Six Feet Under podcast, WWE legend The Undertaker (Mark Calaway) candidly discussed his infamous 2019 match against Goldberg at Super Showdown. The match is considered one of the worst bouts in the career of both men, and served as a reminder that age was wearing down the legacy of both legends.

WWE had promoted the match as a massive occasion, as one of WWE’s biggest ever stars fought one of WCW’s top performers in their first (and ultimately last) collision. Despite WWE hyping up the match, The Undertaker admitted that he failed to deliver in Saudi Arabia.

“That Saudi thing was a little ugly… I stunk the joint out, man.”

Challenging Conditions

Competing in a different country can prove to be a logistical nightmare for wrestlers who may be jet-lagged when they step in the ring. For The Undertaker, it was extreme heat in Saudi Arabia that made the challenging match even tougher.

“It was 9:00 at night and 98 degrees outside… You could chew the air it was so thick.”

Goldberg’s Reputation & Circumstances

The match did not help the reputations of either man, as fans who had loved the pair during their respective hey-days felt pity or embarrasment to see the in-ring farce. Despite the match’s failure, The Undertaker defended Goldberg, stating he was “thrust into something” and praising him as a “good dude.” At nine minutes long, this match was the longest Goldberg had spent in the ring since his 2016 WWE return, and a concussion early into the bout only made things more difficult.

Reflection on His Career

On the podcast, the 59-year-old Undertaker also reflected on the evolving nature of professional wrestling, admitting that he wouldn’t physically survive some of today’s high-impact moves. As for his one-and-only showdown with Goldberg, the match remains a low point in the Deadman’s career, and fans would see both men back in the ring soon after, hoping to wash the taste of this match away.

Hulk Hogan was resoundingly booed during his appearance on WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix, despite the Hulkster stating that he loved the fans. Given his controversial past and this response, there have been renewed conversations among fans about Hogan’s place in modern-day WWE and his legacy as a whole.

On his Six Feet Under podcast, fellow Hall of Famer The Undertaker saw the funny side to this situation. Amid fits of laughter, the Phenom called the appearance an “ego pop” for Hogan, who was trying to promote his Real American Beer. When guest Justin Danger Nunle asked if he felt like giving Hogan a hug, The Undertaker laughed again before giving a resounding no.

While the Phenom was not in a hugging mood, he ws also asked if he felt bad for Hogan. The Undertaker suggested that the frosty reception Hogan received was karma for what’s happened in the past

“I got feelings. I got feelings for people, like sometimes in life, things come back.”

The Undertaker also appeared on Raw’s Netflix debut, where he received a more favorable response from the crowd inside the Intuit Dome. While both Hogan and Undertaker have expressed support for Donald Trump, the Phenom’s support of the 47th President wa not as pronounced as Hogan, who appeared at various events rallying for the billionaire.

Hulk Hogan Cites NWO Run As Reason Behind WWE Raw Booing

WWE has yet to have Hogan appear in front of a live crowd since Raw in LA, with video spots featuring the Hulkster also getting booed. It remains to be seen if WWE use Hogan in person again, as the once beloved babyface may be in store for another cold welcome.

WWE 2K25 will feature a special Deadman Edition of the game, centered around the legendary Hall of Famer, The Undertaker. On X, the WWE 2K account confirmed the news with a chilling image of the Phenom.

Currently, no additional details about the Deadman Edition have been revealed. However, if previous entries in the WWE 2K series are any indication, fans can likely expect exclusive costumes for The Undertaker as part of this edition. Special editions of WWE 2K games typically release a few days before the standard edition, allowing players early access to the game.

The Undertaker is no stranger to appearing in WWE video games, having first entered the gamer-verse with 1992’s WWF Super WrestleMania. WWE 2K25 will mark the Phenom’s 66th time being part of a WWE-licensed game, and his 19th time adorning a cover.

The Undertaker Mentors WWE’s Next Generation in A&E’s LFG

2K Games has confirmed a star-studded roster for WWE 2K25, including top superstars and champions. Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Bayley, Damian Priest, and Liv Morgan have all been confirmed, demonstrated the promotion’s current stacked roster. Speculation is running rife about features for the game, including a possible return of intergender wrestling matches.

The WWE 2K25 Deadman Edition reflects The Undertaker’s continued legacy in wrestling, close to five years after his final match. Fans will no-doubt enjoy playing as the Phenom and terrorizing the WWE roster just as The Undertaker himself did for decades.

Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey was one of the celebrities in attendance for the January 24th episode of WWE SmackDown from Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

The acting star was shown sitting in the front row right behind the announcer’s desk during the broadcast. Former Universal Champion Kevin Owens also acknowledged The Golden Globe award winner during the episode.

Owens targeted McConaughey while cutting a promo standing at the announcer’s table. KO told the Texas native that he’s going to beat Cody Rhodes the same way Ohio State Buckeyes beat Texas Longhorns in a recent Football match.

McConaughey also got to meet The Undertaker backstage during the night and the Dead Man gifted him a Texas-WWE Legacy Championship

From one Texas Longhorns fan to another! @undertaker just gifted @McConaughey the perfect WWE Legacy Title ?

Get your WWE Legacy Title ??https://t.co/RalKYs9Pwr pic.twitter.com/Xg4oJ5L9hx

— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2025

• The Miz & Damian Priest Moved To WWE SmackDown, Tag Team Moved To Raw In Transfer Window

Along with Matthew McConaughey, names such as Shane Gillis, Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias, and Tony Hinchcliffe were in attendance for the event as well.

Kevin Owens is set to challenge Cody Rhodes in a ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the upcoming Royal Rumble PPV on February 1.

WWE has announced that Shawn Michaels will be holding a contract signing segment between the two for the title match at this weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 25.

Apart from this segment, the show also featured a couple of big announcements including confirmation of the return date for former Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair. You can check out more about it here.