Tag: Undertaker

Undertaker on Raw segment with Rhea Ripley: ‘I didn’t want to step on her moment’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Undertaker says he was hesitant when WWE first pitched the idea of him sharing a moment with Rhea Ripley during the Raw on Netflix debut. 

Ripley defeated Liv Morgan to regain the Women’s World Championship on the show. Following the match, Taker rode a motorcycle out to the stage area and around the ring. The segment closed with him and Ripley posing together. 

He addressed his moment with Ripley during the most recent episode of his Six Feet Under podcast. Taker says that when he first heard about the plan, he was afraid he would step on Ripley’s spotlight.

Taker said:

“Originally, I was going to do an entrance and an interview, which would would have been fine. I think they had somebody that that was going to interview me. And then they just thought (Taker appearing after Ripley vs. Morgan) would make that whole thing even bigger for (Ripley).”

“When they told me, at first, I was like, ‘I don’t think so.’ And I was like, ‘That’s her moment. I don’t want to step on any part of that. This is the payoff to a very long storyline and I sure don’t want to come out and step on her moment.'”

Taker continued to say he was sold on the idea after it was presented as more of him and Ripley “crossing paths.”

“They basically explained that she’s going to have a moment in the ring, she’s going to have this moment where you two will cross paths. And I was like, ‘Okay, well now if it’s like that then it’s pretty cool.”

“Not that our characters are similar, but they are a little bit. It was just me dabbing her up there a little bit.”

Taker also spent some time on his podcast addressing John Cena’s WWE retirement tour, saying he thinks it’s “really cool” how WWE is giving fans a chance to give Cena his flowers. 

“They’ve got a certain amount of dates he’s going to make, certain amount of Premium Live Events he’s going to make, and it’s going to give people a chance to, kind of, give him his flowers, give him his props, let him say goodbye. It’s a cool way of doing it.”

The full episode of Taker’s podcast is available below:

WWE Raw on Netflix debut notes: Celebrities, live gate record, mat sponsors, new ref outfits

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

With the debut of WWE Raw on Netflix happening in Los Angeles, the turnout of celebrities didn’t disappoint, many of which entered on the red carpet like an awards show.

Various non-wrestling celebrities shown on camera or were in attendance included Travis Scott, Ashton Kutcher, Michael Che, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Wale, Vanessa Hudgens, Bill Simmons, Seth Green, Macaulay Culkin, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Richard Gadd, Tiffany Haddish, Stephen Amell, and Danielle Fishel (Topanga from Boy Meets World) in addition to higher-ups in TKO, WWE and Netflix.

Past wrestlers who were either shown on screen or had parts on the show included Hulk Hogan, Stephanie McMahon, Undertaker, Jimmy Hart, X-Pac, Michelle McCool, and Nikki Bella. Undertaker came out riding a motorcycle as his “American Bad Ass” character following Rhea Ripley’s Women’s World title win over Liv Morgan while Hogan was roundly booed during a live promo he cut in front of the entrance.

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During his promo that opened the show, The Rock said the show set the record for the highest grossing arena event in WWE history, later re-iterated by Michael Cole on commentary. On X, Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston said that gate would have to be over $3 million if the number included international shows.

Monday’s sold-out show emanated from the brand-new Inuit Dome in Los Angeles. Both Cole and Triple H said there were over 17,000 in attendance with WrestleTix’s estimate as the same.

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For the first time in WWE history, the mat (seen above) was full of logos — not quite to the level of their TKO brother UFC but very hard to miss.

As had been previously reported, the video game Fortnite took the center spot along with Riyadh Season (Saudi Arabia), Netflix, longtime sponsors Cricket Wireless and Snickers, and Hulk Hogan’s Real American Beer of which WWE is now a minority investor in.

Unlike the new blue SmackDown mat, the Raw mat was black, also a first.

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Even the referees had new outfits which were dark gray with a black collar, two parallel black strips on the left hand side, and the WWE logo on the left chest.

Rhea Ripley wins Women’s World title on WWE Raw, celebrates with The Undertaker

Posted on by Ethan Renner

“Mami” is back on top.

Rhea Ripley defeated Liv Morgan on Monday’s WWE Raw on Netflix premiere, reclaiming the Women’s World Championship she never lost in the ring.

Ripley defeated Morgan with two Riptides in their title match on Raw, becoming a two-time Women’s World Champion.

After winning the title at WrestleMania 39, Ripley held the gold for over a year, retaining the title over Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 40 before being forced to relinquish the belt due to a shoulder injury a week later. Lynch would win the vacant title, then drop it to Morgan at Queen of the Ring last year.

In the post-match on Monday’s Raw, The Undertaker made an entrance with his motorcycle and “American Badass” gimmick, and posed with Ripley to celebrate the win.

Ripley also got revenge on former storyline boyfriend Dominik Mysterio who aligned with Morgan last year, as The Judgment Day member tried to reunite with the new champ, only to be rebuffed:

Our ongoing live coverage from Monday’s WWE Raw Netflix premiere is available here.

WOR: Final WWE Raw on USA, Netflix debut updates, Jimmy Carter & wrestling, news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: WWE

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the final RAW on USA Network, which is also the final Monday night wrestling show on cable TV after over 30 years, AEW and NXT lineups, the Undertaker/Brock Lesnar story that made Ariel Helwani’s career, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Jimmy Carter’s connection to pro wrestling
5:29: Lineups for the week
18:15: Vikingo injured again, NJPW off AXS, Baron Corbin, AJ Francis, and Tyler Breeze backstage at AEW Worlds End, Villano III injured
26:21: The Undertaker/Brock Lesnar story that made Ariel Helwani’s career
32:07: Ratings, CMLL’s big weekend
37:50: The end of Raw on cable television
43:41: WWE Raw recap

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Undertaker thinks Ludwig Kaiser will be special, had ‘nice long talk’ with him at WWE Raw

Posted on by Ian Carey

Undertaker is a fan of Ludwig Kaiser.

Taker praised the 34-year-old during a recent episode of his Six Feet Under podcast, saying he had a long talk with him when Raw was in Austin, Texas last week.

“I’m high on (Kaiser) too. Obviously, Gunther is a little bit farther along but keep an eye on Kaiser. I think he’s going to be special. He’s easy to hate,” Taker said.

“What was really refreshing to me was I was giving him my perspective on what he should be doing, and he was like, ‘That’s what I’ve been feeling, I’ve been feeling all of this.’ And he’s just been waiting for his opportunity because he’s been in the shadow of Gunther.”

During a backstage segment on last week’s WWE Raw, Kaiser told Sheamus that things weren’t finished between the two of them. Sheamus was then attacked by Pete Dunne during the same segment. Sheamus vs. Dunne is scheduled for tonight’s Raw.

Taker also praised Kaiser’s Imperium teammate Gunther during the podcast.

“Gunther, he’s the real deal. He’s a throwback. I thought (his winning the title at SummerSlam) was a good move. Damian was protected in it. The finish got a little bit screwed up but Damian was protected, got the title on Gunther and now the table is being set.”

The full episode of the podcast is available below.

WWE announces new Undertaker one-man show date

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Undertaker is bringing his one-man show to Cleveland during WWE SummerSlam weekend.

It was announced today that Undertaker will perform his “1 deadMAN SHOW” at The Agora in Cleveland on the afternoon of Saturday, August 3, which is the day of SummerSlam. The one-man show has a start time of 1 p.m. Eastern.

A ticket pre-sale for the one-man show will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern this Tuesday with tickets then going on sale to the general public on Wednesday. “A limited number of VIP tickets, which includes premier seating and a meet-and-greet with The Undertaker, will also be available,” WWE noted.

Undertaker first debuted the one-man show during SummerSlam week in 2022. It features him discussing stories from his Hall of Fame career.

SummerSlam 2024 is being held at Cleveland Browns Stadium, marking the first time the city has hosted SummerSlam since 1996. Undertaker will be at the show doing a meet-and-greet with fans who purchase a premium suite package.

On his Six Feet Under podcast, Undertaker said being at WWE events was often difficult for him as he struggled to come to terms with his retirement. But his cameo appearance at WrestleMania 40 this April provided Undertaker with the closure he’s been looking for. Undertaker is open to making future WWE cameos but will never have another match.

Undertaker open to future WWE cameos, not coming out of retirement

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though he’s retired from in-ring competition, The Undertaker would be open to making future WWE appearances like the one he made at WrestleMania 40.

Undertaker got involved in the night two main event at WrestleMania this April, helping Cody Rhodes fend off interference by The Bloodline. He laid out The Rock with a chokeslam, which paved the way for Rhodes to defeat Roman Reigns and win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Undertaker was asked if the WrestleMania cameo made him feel like he could wrestle again. Undertaker maintained that he’s retired and will never have another match. But, if WWE needed him to make another cameo, he’s not ruling that out.

“Yeah, I could do it. I couldn’t do it to the standard that I wanted to do it,” he said about wrestling. “But, I mean, yeah, there’s certain things that I don’t feel like I would be able to do. After I did it [the WrestleMania 40 appearance], I came back and I was like, ‘I’m good now. I don’t need to do this again.’ Not saying that I wouldn’t — if they needed something like that again — but I’m not going to have a match or I’m not coming out of retirement.”

The last match of Undertaker’s career took place at WrestleMania 36, where he defeated AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard Match. He struggled to come to terms with retirement in the following years, but the WrestleMania 40 appearance helped give him the closure he’s been looking for.

Since retiring, Undertaker has started his own podcast. He’s also toured a one-man show with performances both in the United States and internationally.

Undertaker was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022.

Undertaker: Hopefully AEW gets their crap together one day

Posted on by Ian Carey

The Undertaker was critical of AEW on his podcast recently.

Taker was discussing competition being good for the wrestling industry when he said he doesn’t believe Tony Khan has what it takes to go up against WWE. He also said he thinks AEW is without a leader in the locker room.

“Hopefully, one day, AEW gets their crap together and genuinely creates some competition,” Taker said on Six Feet Under. “That’s probably not a popular take from most WWE insiders but the way I look at it, competition is only going to make you better.”

Taker noted that WCW beating WWE in the ratings for as long as it did drove the company to improve its product. However, Taker doesn’t know if AEW can provide “real” competition and believes management and lack of locker room leadership could be the reason.

He continued:

“I don’t think there is a real true leader in the locker room. I am not sure and I have nothing against the man but I don’t know that Tony (Khan) is the guy to run the company. I mean, his heart’s in a good place and he wants to do something but I just don’t know that he has the acumen to run a wrestling company against the juggernaut that is the WWE.”

“Again, I hope they get it together and we do have some (competition). It’s better for the wrestlers, it’s better for the audience, the fans, it’s better for everything.”

Taker also discussed WWE’s recent partnership with TNA Wrestling, saying it will help the industry develop new talent.

“What it does is it continues to feed TNA’s system, which then when they’re ready, we can pluck them out and bring them to WWE,” he said.

The full podcast episode is available on Taker’s Patreon here.

Undertaker says WrestleMania 40 provided ‘closure’ on his wrestling career

Posted on by Ian Carey

The Undertaker says WrestleMania 40 gave him “closure.”

Taker appeared during the night two main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. He helped Rhodes fend off The Bloodline’s interference by chokeslamming The Rock. 

Taker addressed his appearance at Mania during the most recent episode of his Six Feet Under podcast. 

Taker said:

I’ve been struggling with it since I retired but this weekend gave me closure. It really did. It was fun, obviously, it was fun. Doing this for as long as I have and being involved and that, and how important that storyline was and is but when it was over and I’m running out of the building, I’m like ‘I’m good now.’ 

Taker continued:

It was like a moment of clarity that I had like, ‘I’m okay now.’ I’m not saying that I wouldn’t do something like that in the future but I don’t have that feeling in my chest like I’ve had since I retired that I hadn’t come to peace with it. 

He noted that since his retirement it’s been difficult for him to attend WWE events as he always felt an urge to perform. He now feels as though he can close that book, however. 

Taker continued:

It was such a cool weekend all the way around and then to have closure to the wrestling part of my career, it was so cool. It was really cool, it was a great feeling. It really is an amazing feeling because I don’t have that pressure now. It’s been difficult the last couple of years, especially at Mania. Even going to a regular premium live event, I’ve told you this, I would leave before the matches because I get so to the point where I need to be out there. 

So I was out there, and my goodness what a moment to have. It’s such a great storyline but, man, it was like I can close this book.

Stephanie McMahon, Undertaker appear at WWE Hall of Fame

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Stephanie McMahon and The Undertaker were among the attendees at this year’s WWE Hall of Fame.

During the Hall of Fame ceremony, McMahon was seen seated next to husband Triple H. She wore a hat with the ECW logo attached, similar to one worn when she became the in-storyline owner of ECW during the Invasion angle back in 2001. McMahon had not been seen on WWE television since she resigned as co-CEO of WWE in January of 2023 following Vince McMahon’s return to WWE as chairman.

The Undertaker made a surprise appearance during the ceremony, inducting Muhammad Ali into the WWE Hall of Fame. 

Taylor Rotunda (Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy) and Mika Rotunda induced their father Mike Rotunda and uncle Barry Windham, the US Express.

When Paul Heyman came out for his Hall of Fame speech, former ECW stars Tommy Dreamer, The Dudley Boyz, and Rob Van Dam were seen in the audience. 

Before the start of the show, AEW’s Keith Lee inadvertently appeared in the background during a CM Punk interview. He has been out of action since December with an undisclosed injury that kept him off AEW Worlds End, where he was set to face Swerve Strickland. He is married to current WWE star Mia Yim.

Undertaker: Bray Wyatt was logical choice to break WWE WrestleMania streak

Posted on by Ian Carey

Undertaker says Bray Wyatt would have been a logical choice to break his undefeated streak at WrestleMania. 

During a Q&A he posted to his Patreon on Thursday, Taker was asked who else could have ended it if it hadn’t been Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 30. Taker has previously mentioned that he believes Roman Reigns could have done so but in today’s video, he spoke about how it would have meant more to Wyatt’s career. 

Taker said:

If it wasn’t Roman, I think the most logical person to break it would have been Bray Wyatt. I think probably of the three (Lesnar, Reigns, & Wyatt), it would have meant more to his career than even Roman’s. For Roman, it would have been very special but for Bray, who there were so many comparisons between the two characters and the darkness and the different things, for him to be able to have broke it would have been such a feather in his cap and something that could have extended the character of the Undertaker in a different capacity. Bray would have been in ring aspect of it, but I think that those characters would have somehow maybe merged together in some kind of higher power type deal. But I think of all the people that it would have helped the most, I think Bray would have been the guy. 

Earlier this month, it was announced that Taker will narrate the upcoming documentary on Wyatt. Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal premieres on Peacock beginning April 1. 

Taker continued to talk about his second WrestleMania loss at WrestleMania 33. He said he’s not sure if the win helped Reigns much at the time. 

Taker continued:

It actually hurt him because he was, at that point, they were shoving him down people’s throats so hard. It was like, ‘You’re force-feeding us this guy, we’re not ready to accept him yet’ and he’s going to beat one of the most beloved guys that has ever come down the pike. 

He later added:

I mean, hopefully, it helped him. There’s only two people who ever beat the Undertaker at WrestleMania. 

Undertaker on WWE acknowledging Sting’s retirement: ‘He deserved that’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Undertaker was happy to see WWE acknowledge Sting’s retirement.

On Raw the night after Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution, WWE congratulated him on his legendary career. Michael Cole thanked Sting for all the memories that he provided during his nearly 40 years in the ring. While not mentioning AEW by name, Pat McAfee said Sting had an “absolutely epic match” the previous night.

Undertaker and Sting helped define their respective promotions during the WWF vs. WCW Monday Night War. On his Six Feet Under podcast, Undertaker praised the run that Sting had in pro wrestling.

“What a run, man,” Undertaker said. “Like, I understand runs. What a run.”

Undertaker said that, though WWE and AEW are in competition with each other, it’s only right that WWE acknowledged Sting’s legacy:

Well, there are certain people in the industry. I mean, yeah, we’re in competition with a different company. I get it. But Sting’s legacy is so much bigger than AEW or any of that. I mean, he deserved that. I’m happy that as a company that they acknowledged it, because it’s only right.

Undertaker vs. Sting was a dream match that fans wanted for decades. It could have happened when they were in WWE together in 2015, but Undertaker said that, for whatever reason, Vince McMahon didn’t want it. Sting instead lost to Triple H at that year’s WrestleMania.

Undertaker said he thinks the match against Sting would have been good in 2015, but he doesn’t believe it would have lived up to the expectations people had because of how late they were into their careers.

Undertaker says he recently talked himself out of WWE comeback

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Despite being retired for four years, The Undertaker is still coming to grips with no longer being a pro wrestler.

The Undertaker (Mark Calaway) wrestled for the final time when he faced AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36 in 2020. During a new Patreon Q&A for his Six Feet Under podcast, Undertaker was asked how he’s handled the transition into retirement. Undertaker said he knew it was time for him to step away from the ring, but retiring is something that leaves a void in you.

I knew my time had come, but I wasn’t ready for it to come. I just knew that my body couldn’t deliver on what my mind and my heart wanted to give the fans. So it was kind of difficult. You have to remember that, for over half of my life, being in the ring is what I did. And then it’s not there anymore. And it does — it leaves a huge void in you. Because you’re trying to fill that void, which was a passion, and you’re trying to find out what that next passion is and what it is that you’re going to sink your teeth into. There just may not be something that will ever refill that void.

The 58-year-old Undertaker said there are a lot of times that, when he’s at a WWE show, he has to leave because there’s something inside of him that tells him he should be getting ready to wrestle.

I hope it goes away at some point. As of now, it hasn’t.

Before Elimination Chamber last month, Undertaker performed a one-man show in Australia. After getting home from the trip, Undertaker told his wife Michelle McCool that he was going to make an in-ring comeback. But Undertaker said he’s already talked himself out of that.

It’s still tough for me. I’m still coming to grips with it. And I may or may not have said to my wife recently that I was going to make a comeback. Fortunately, I think I’ve talked myself out of that.

When his co-host told him not to start any rumors, Undertaker confirmed that there won’t be one more match.

No, there’s not one more match. It was just like — I just got back from Australia, I was tired, and I knew I had a lot of stuff coming up. And that was me just feeling comfortable saying it… Don’t expect it. There’s not one more match. Don’t even start.

Undertaker joked that maybe there would have been one more match if Sting hadn’t retired.

Undertaker will be performing another one-man show during WrestleMania 40 week in Philadelphia next month.

Undertaker’s most recent appearance on WWE programming was on the October 10, 2023 edition of NXT. He chokeslammed Bron Breakker during the episode.

JNPO: Pro wrestling year in review – Tuesday Night War, Edge finds a new home

Posted on by Josh Nason

My Josh Nason’s Punch-Out pro wrestling year in review series begins its final descent with an extended look at October 2023.

Joining me is first-time guest Rich Fann of PW Torch and POST Wrestling.

Rich and I led off with the so-called Tuesday Night War between NXT and AEW that saw WWE bring in John Cena, Undertaker, Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman and Asuka to ensure they didn’t lose to AEW’s Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite. We talk about what happened and some of the key learnings coming out of it.

We also delve into Paul “Triple H” Levesque being firmly entrenched as head of creative for WWE and what that meant for Vince McMahon in the new TKOverse.

After 25 years in WWE, Adam “Edge” Copeland found a new home in AEW, debuting at WrestleDream in Seattle. We talked about his debut and why it made sense for him to try something new.

We also talk the first-ever clash between MJF and Kenny Omega and the rest of the month in AEW.

Ronda Rousey made a surprise return to wrestling, so why didn’t it make a big impact? We discuss.

Plus, we cover the month in Impact Wrestling, Japan, and the junk drawer that covered all the other notable happenings. 

I promise this is unlike any other year-end series you’ll hear or read, so catch up on the rest of the series in the archive and my MMA year in review series as well.

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WWE legend The Undertaker launching ‘Six Feet Under’ Patreon

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of pro wrestling’s biggest legends looks to be entering the podcast industry.

In a post on his Instagram stories on Friday, The Undertaker announced that he’s launching a Patreon for a project called Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway. The project will feature “in-depth conversations with a HOF wrestler.”

“I am really excited because I’ve been working on a project. It’s called Six Feet Under,” The Undertaker said. “So what I need you to do, tap on that link. It’s going to take you to my Patreon account. And there you’re going to receive exclusive content, not only of my wrestling career, my personal life, my views on things – just a whirlwind of all things Mark Calaway. So click on that link. Go over to Patreon and check it out.”

Here’s the full description for Six Feet Under:

The last 30+ years of being on the road as a professional wrestler has led to many stories in and out of the wrestling ring. Mark will be sharing weekly stories that you probably have never heard before and taking you down memory lane with some of his most epic matches that we all loved. So, if you are interested in the world of pro wrestling and getting a behind the scenes look into the life of one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, well grab your shovel and get ready to go Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway!

Undertaker’s Patreon has subscription tiers of $5 per month, $6 per month, and $10 per month. The lowest tier will get access to episodes on Wednesday mornings when the show launches. The other two tiers will get early access on Monday mornings. Those who subscribe to the $10 tier will be able to submit questions that The Undertaker will answer in future episodes.

It appears that WWE isn’t involved with Undertaker’s Six Feet Under project.

The Undertaker was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022. Since then, he and WWE have partnered together to bring a one-man show called “UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW” on tour. The one-man show usually takes place surrounding WWE events.

Undertaker made an appearance on NXT when it went head-to-head against AEW Dynamite on October 10. He laid out Bron Breakker with a chokeslam during the appearance.