After 30 Years, The Undertaker Is Retiring From the WWE
Published Nov. 23 2020, 8:29 p.m. ET
One of the most famous and legendary WWE wrestlers, The Undertaker, announced his retirement from wrestling in the final episode of his documentary, The Last Ride.
In his 30-year career with the WWE, The Undertaker has been a part of many famous plot lines, including many confrontations with Vince McMahon and 17 WWE Championship titles. So, why did the legendary WWE superstar retire after all this time?
The Undertaker announced his retirement with a heartfelt message.
The Undertaker, whose real name is actually Mark William Calaway, officially announced his retirement from WWE in a statement that he delivered at the WWE Survivor Series. "For 30 long years, I've made that slow walk to this ring and have laid people to rest time and time again. And now my time has come. My time has come to let The Undertaker rest in peace," he said.
After his announcement went viral, several current and former WWE stars took to social media to send their love and gratitude to the WWE veteran. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was one of the first to tip his hat to The Undertaker, as he recalled one of his earliest memories of the “Deadman” wrestler.
“30 [years] ago today, he made his iconic #SurvivorSeries debut. Like EVERYONE - I was in awe as a rookie in the @WWE when his first words pierced my soul as he walked in the dressing room and said, 'Muthaf--ka.' True story. Honored to share the ring with you, my brother. #ThankYouTaker,” The Rock wrote.
At 55 years old, age and fitness could be the top reasons for The Undertaker’s retirement.
The Undertaker has actually “retired” once before. In 2017, The Undertaker left his gear in the middle of the wrestling ring and left the arena with his family after his defeat to Roman Reigns in WrestleMania 33.
Now, The Undertaker is 55 years old and after a 30-year career in the WWE, his body has no doubt taken a toll. It also appears that Mark would rather spend his time with his wife and four children.
Fans hold out hope that this will not be The Undertaker’s swan song.
While this retirement seems like the final one for the beloved WWE legend, there is talk that WWE chairman Vince McMahon might want to use him in some capacity in the future in regards to the WWE. Fans are keeping hope alive considering the legend goes that The Undertaker has “returned from the dead” seven times before.
"Didn’t he retire in 2014? He’ll be back,” a fan wrote.
"If there was ever a perfect ending to a career, that right there was it. If [WWE Chairman] Vince [McMahon] was in a pinch, would I come back? I guess time will only tell there. In case of emergency, break glass, you pull out The Undertaker. I would have to consider that. Never say never, but at this point in my life and in my career I have no desire to get back in the ring," The Undertaker said in his documentary series, Undertaker: The Last Ride.
