The Undertaker
| 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