The Undertaker is one of the most iconic wrestlers to ever compete in the WWE. His iconic presentation, in-ring work, and notorious WrestleMania streak helped make him one of the most recognizable stars in the business.
RELATED: Randy Orton's Return to WWE Programming Nearing, Says Kurt AngleIn 2020, the Undertaker officially retired from in-ring action. His last match was the infamous "Boneyard Match" at WrestleMania 36 against AJ Styles. It was one of WWE's first cinematic matches; the company experimented with the format in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic since fans could not attend shows live. The Undertaker was successful in the bout, winning the fight by literally burying AJ Styles alive in a grave.
The Undertaker Talks About The End Of His In-Ring Career
The Undertaker recently did an interview with Metro UK to promote his upcoming "1 Dead Man" show. During the interview, he revealed that he realized he had to retire while he was filming his Wrestlemania 36 match with AJ Styles. He described it as "that moment of clarity," given how his body just simply couldn't keep up with the rigor required from in-ring competition any longer. He explained:
In my heart, I wasn’t ready to do it but in my mind I knew I had to. It’s been a difficult transition because if I physically could, I would still be going. But I can’t put on a match the way people expect to see The Undertaker wrestle. There’s no sense in tarnishing the legacy, or cashing in on the equity that I built up. My back is completely locked up, I’ve got pain shooting down my legs. That’s when I knew I was done.
The Undertaker was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022. It was an accolade that came as no surprise, but it was long-awaited nonetheless.
