The Undertaker
The Undertaker in his final appearance (2020)


The Undertaker (real name: Mark William Calaway) is a retired American professional wrestler best known for his legendary 30-year career in WWE. With his dark persona, supernatural themes, and unmatched longevity, The Undertaker is widely considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Early Life

  • Born on March 24, 1965 in Houston, Texas
  • Played college basketball at Texas Wesleyan University
  • Began wrestling in 1987, initially competing in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and WCW under various ring names

WWE Debut and Persona

  • Debuted at Survivor Series in 1990 as “The Undertaker”
  • Character: an undead mortician with supernatural powers, funeral bells, and chilling entrances
  • Signature look: black trench coat, hat, gloves, and eerie presence
  • Known for dramatic entrances, casket matches, and “resurrections”

Career Highlights

  • 7-time World Champion
  • 6-time Tag Team Champion
  • Royal Rumble winner (2007)
  • Known for his Streak: 21 consecutive victories at WrestleMania
  • Signature moves:
 - Tombstone Piledriver
 - Chokeslam
 - Hell’s Gate
 - Old School

The Streak

  • Undefeated at WrestleMania for 21 straight appearances
  • Notable matches include bouts against Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kane, and Brock Lesnar
  • The Streak ended at WrestleMania 30 (2014) when he lost to Brock Lesnar

Evolution and Alter-Egos

  • Also wrestled as:
 - The American Badass (2000–2003) — biker persona
 - Big Evil — heel variation
  • Frequently reinvented his character while maintaining mystique and fan appeal

Retirement and Legacy

  • Officially retired in 2020 at Survivor Series, exactly 30 years after his debut
  • Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022
  • Respected as a locker room leader and professional icon

Personal Life

  • Married to former WWE Diva Michelle McCool
  • Known for his strong backstage influence and professionalism
  • Rarely broke character during his in-ring career, contributing to his mystique

Legacy

  • A fan-favorite across generations
  • Played a major role in the success of WWE’s Attitude Era and beyond
  • Ranked among the most iconic and respected wrestlers in history

See Also