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'The Undertaker' retires from WWE after WrestleMania 33 defeat

End of an era, the final corner stone of the industry departs after the greatest act of kindness I've ever seen in a ring; Taker did his own reputation justice by putting over the up-comer Reigns and going out on his back in a way which we've never seen before. An all time great with an unmatched aura and selflessness. Wrestling dies with the Undertaker.
 
my childhood ended in that ring.

Gonna miss Taker so much

One of a Kind we wont see the likes of him again.

Thank you Taker
 
WEE is like Pakistani cricket - even when someone 'retires' there is always a chance that they'll be back one more time. Hope the same is true for the Undertaker.
 
WEE is like Pakistani cricket - even when someone 'retires' there is always a chance that they'll be back one more time. Hope the same is true for the Undertaker.

Undertaker has been wanting to retire permanently for a while but he just can't say no being so selfless when Vince gives him the call to boost PPV buyrates on big events like Wrestlemania, physically Taker is done; he actually delayed hip surgery so he could perform at mania last night.

Plus the symbolic ending of mania with him leaving his iconic gear in the ring we can safely say the phenom is no more and he left the ring after agreeing to lose to Roman Reigns a youngster who WWE want as their main man moving forward, top stars rarely do youngsters such favours but Taker has done it here and left the ring in a classical pro-wrestling way, on his back on the grandest stage of them all a place where he had only lost once before this defeat.
 
I believe he has retired once before. He will be back in a few months, you'll see!
 
His retirement has to be the most selfless retirement ever. No hoo haa announcement and the entire locker room coming to greet him etc. What a legend
 
Plus, his retirement is in line with his character. How can a deadman die? It makes no sense if he officially announces his last match.
 
He will be back soon. Seems fit enough to me even at his age now. Won't know what to do with the time he has now, don't see him being offered any major big movie roles seeing he is not that good looking. The final farewell taking his hat and long coat off then leaving it in the ring was really spooky. Paul Bearer would be proud.
 
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He will be back soon. Seems fit enough to me even at his age now. Won't know what to do with the time he has now, don't see him being offered any major big movie roles seeing he is not that good looking. The final farewell taking his hat and long coat off then leaving it in the ring was really spooky. Paul Bearer would be proud.

Taker has been done for a long time as a full time performer, for the past 7 years or so he has only been appearing once a year at mania so it's not like he has the urge to be wrestling in fact he has wanted to be permanently retired for a long time but Vince keeps getting him to come back for mania in order to bump the PPV buy-rate and ticket sales so in the remaining 364 days in a year he has had no issue keeping himself occupied. Looks are not the be and end all when it comes to nailing movie roles, Taker is not a bad looking guy as it is but he's not the sort of guy you're going to cast as a romeo in a movie but being old school he has always remained in character so has passed on all the roles and gigs which have been offered to him over the years.

I honestly believe you will never see him wrestle again and the phenom character has been retired, sure they's a chance he will appear in WWE ring again but he won't be wrestling, he had to delay hip surgery so he could put Reigns over at mania, physically he has been done since wrestlemania 30 but in between has put one some decent matches vs Lesnar at SummerSlam and Hell in a Cell PPV's.
 
The Big Dog smashed this oldie to bits.

These kids :facepalm: no respect for their elders, would you talk rubbish about your dad like that :)) and wrestling is scripted, it's only due to Undertaker's act of Kindness that Reigns was able to get a win over a legendary name.
 
Taker has been done for a long time as a full time performer, for the past 7 years or so he has only been appearing once a year at mania so it's not like he has the urge to be wrestling in fact he has wanted to be permanently retired for a long time but Vince keeps getting him to come back for mania in order to bump the PPV buy-rate and ticket sales so in the remaining 364 days in a year he has had no issue keeping himself occupied. Looks are not the be and end all when it comes to nailing movie roles, Taker is not a bad looking guy as it is but he's not the sort of guy you're going to cast as a romeo in a movie but being old school he has always remained in character so has passed on all the roles and gigs which have been offered to him over the years.

I honestly believe you will never see him wrestle again and the phenom character has been retired, sure they's a chance he will appear in WWE ring again but he won't be wrestling, he had to delay hip surgery so he could put Reigns over at mania, physically he has been done since wrestlemania 30 but in between has put one some decent matches vs Lesnar at SummerSlam and Hell in a Cell PPV's.

Not been watching WWE over the years so don't know how often he has been appearing on shows. Where as good looks may not be everything he would have made it on the big screen now if he was going to be successful. "The Rock" is a prime example of that amongst others I believe. Just don't see "The Undertaker" landing of role of a hero in any epic.

I would certainly like him, Shawn Michaels and even Bet Hart to return though I realize in case of "The Hitman" it is most unlikely. It would be good in a way if "The Undertaker" did not return as it would assure his legacy unlike "Hulk Hogan" who keeps on returning one way or another. May be it's me but the old magic of the WWF/E finished a long time back.

 
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Not been watching WWE over the years so don't know how often he has been appearing on shows. Where as good looks may not be everything he would have made it on the big screen now if he was going to be successful. "The Rock" is a prime example of that amongst others I believe. Just don't see "The Undertaker" landing of role of a hero in any epic.

I would certainly like him, Shawn Michaels and even Bet Hart to return though I realize in case of "The Hitman" it is most unlikely. It would be good in a way if "The Undertaker" did not return as it would assure his legacy unlike "Hulk Hogan" who keeps on returning one way or another. May be it's me but the old magic of the WWF/E finished a long time back.


He has been semi-retired, Taker has only been appearing to wrestle once a year at mania in the last 10 years or so. Undertaker has landed many roles which he has passed and wrestlers who tend to go to hollywood often tend to do well because it's not easy to find people with their look and decent acting ability at the very least which is why the likes of Rock and Batista have been successful. HHH is also another who passed on a career in hollywood given his passion for wrestling and Undertaker is old school in that he rarely breaks character; branching out would be doing that, that's not to say he'd not be successful in movies its just something he doesn't choose to pursue. I doubt we all envisioned Batista in a comedic role in a Marvel Movie, people underestimate the versatility of these wrestlers which are great all round performers and dedicated to their characters, Cena has already started to make the switch to movies as well.

Shawn could still be wrestling but he wanted to give respect to the retirement stipulation in his match and he went out on a high, often wrestlers just keep coming back like you said before even after saying they're retired and shawn didn't want to be those guys and rarely will you get to go out on the high he did, yeah Bret had a stroke and since then his physical abilities diminished. Coming back is fine for appearances, it's good business but obviously when you get to a certain point where you can't deliver a high standard in the ring when it comes to wrestling it's better to retire. Hogan doesn't wrestle anymore and last time he appeared in WWE was 3 years ago I think, Taker will defo appear am sure of it maybe for another appearance in a years time but he won't wrestle which is fine by me he went out the right way and am content with it.

It's not as bad as people make it out to be although it's not like before no denying that, one of the biggest issues is that they do not build up their youngsters properly; it's like with Pakistan cricket where selectors pick the wrong player or keep on giving chances to seniors; WWE are the same in a sense which is why we don't have a star as big as Rock, Shawn or Austin etc but there are positives as well, the in-ring standard is very high in general there are a lot of talents that are great in the ring like Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Sami Zayn etc with the likes of Balor (a demon), Bray Wyatt (Backwoods cult, dark taker like figure) and Roman Reigns being groomed to be the future.

Can see Taker returning to mania next year for an appearance in this character:


lqcXwO.gif


:))
 
Kane was as over as Taker at one point:


But he didn't like the spotlight and Vince could have booked him better so his popularity declined a little when it reached the level of Takers during the AE era.
 
Two of my heroes retiring in the same month, Misbah ul Haq and the Undertaker. The two actually have many similarities :))

Can't thank Misbah enough for all he has done for Pakistan cricket and being such an inspirational figure for all of us. :bow:

I dedicate this song to Misbah:


#ThankYouMisbah
 
Two of my heroes retiring in the same month, Misbah ul Haq and the Undertaker. The two actually have many similarities :))

Can't thank Misbah enough for all he has done for Pakistan cricket and being such an inspirational figure for all of us. :bow:

I dedicate this song to Misbah:


#ThankYouMisbah

Both Misbah and Undertaker have been painful to watch past their prime, but while Shahryar has pretty much forced Misbah to retire behind doors, Undertaker continued only because of Vince. Nonetheless, he didn't deserve to go out after a defeat, and I'm sad that Undertaker vs Cena at WM never happened. Would have been epic during the 2006-2012 period, but I guess Vince could not afford either man to lose at that time.
 
Both Misbah and Undertaker have been painful to watch past their prime, but while Shahryar has pretty much forced Misbah to retire behind doors, Undertaker continued only because of Vince. Nonetheless, he didn't deserve to go out after a defeat, and I'm sad that Undertaker vs Cena at WM never happened. Would have been epic during the 2006-2012 period, but I guess Vince could not afford either man to lose at that time.

lol no, Undertaker is old-school.

He knows you go out on your back.
 
lol no, Undertaker is old-school.

He knows you go out on your back.

I know what he knows, but I'm speaking from my own perspective. Beating Reigns would have been a terrible idea, but I would still have loved to see him win his last WM match. Taker though has always been selfless. He was prepared to lose to Orton at WM 21 but Vince shelved the idea.
 
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Both Misbah and Undertaker have been painful to watch past their prime, but while Shahryar has pretty much forced Misbah to retire behind doors, Undertaker continued only because of Vince. Nonetheless, he didn't deserve to go out after a defeat, and I'm sad that Undertaker vs Cena at WM never happened. Would have been epic during the 2006-2012 period, but I guess Vince could not afford either man to lose at that time.

Misbah has wanted to retire as well but was forced to continue much like Taker, although there's no denying that he should have called it a day after the AUS/NZ series; in this instance though it's hard to see him continue beyond the WI series so I find it hard to believe he was forced because the writing has been on the wall a long time.

They have feuded in the early 2000's, Cena had the heel character then and beyond 06 have wrestled in a special RAW episode but yeah they have not had a high profile feud since the mid 2000's. Cena/Taker was expected to headline mania this year but Vince realised it was probably going to be Takers final match and for once thought about the long term and someone like Reigns will benefit from the rub with him being slotted in as the next face of the company. Thing is in wrestling the most honourable way to leave is on your back and for Taker Old School is not just about walking the rope, no one is more willing to give back to the industry then Taker so he had no issue putting over Reigns and am content with how he left the arena on Sunday thought it was pretty sad and really cool at the same leaving the gear in the ring and holding a little bit of a funeral in a way.
 
Misbah has wanted to retire as well but was forced to continue much like Taker, although there's no denying that he should have called it a day after the AUS/NZ series; in this instance though it's hard to see him continue beyond the WI series so I find it hard to believe he was forced because the writing has been on the wall a long time.

They have feuded in the early 2000's, Cena had the heel character then and beyond 06 have wrestled in a special RAW episode but yeah they have not had a high profile feud since the mid 2000's. Cena/Taker was expected to headline mania this year but Vince realised it was probably going to be Takers final match and for once thought about the long term and someone like Reigns will benefit from the rub with him being slotted in as the next face of the company. Thing is in wrestling the most honourable way to leave is on your back and for Taker Old School is not just about walking the rope, no one is more willing to give back to the industry then Taker so he had no issue putting over Reigns and am content with how he left the arena on Sunday thought it was pretty sad and really cool at the same leaving the gear in the ring and holding a little bit of a funeral in a way.

Yeah I remember their feud, it was amazing, but I wasn't a fan of the Biker Taker. A WM main event between the Dead Man and Fruity Pebble Cena would have been epic. Yes I said, Taker has always been selfless and he had to go on his back, but as a fan, I would have loved to see him win his last WM match.
 
lol no, Undertaker is old-school.

He knows you go out on your back.

Undertaker was undefeated at mania, and the reaper of lost Aussie/English souls in the death valley dessert of UAE Misbah is still undefeated :akhtar
 
Yeah I remember their feud, it was amazing, but I wasn't a fan of the Biker Taker. A WM main event between the Dead Man and Fruity Pebble Cena would have been epic. Yes I said, Taker has always been selfless and he had to go on his back, but as a fan, I would have loved to see him win his last WM match.

Yeah I understand that from your perspective as a fan, I'd have liked that to but am content now; think given the opponents available Cena would have been ideal for the Undertaker last week and it was expected but plans were changed last minute. Did you watch mania this year then? curious as to which match was your favourite :)) in the end though the quality of Taker/Reigns was passable right although the second half could have been a bit better, also remember that Taker was delaying hip surgery so he could compete so was far from 100% and physically completely done but despite that did well enough
 
Yeah I understand that from your perspective as a fan, I'd have liked that to but am content now; think given the opponents available Cena would have been ideal for the Undertaker last week and it was expected but plans were changed last minute. Did you watch mania this year then? curious as to which match was your favourite :)) in the end though the quality of Taker/Reigns was passable right although the second half could have been a bit better, also remember that Taker was delaying hip surgery so he could compete so was far from 100% and physically completely done but despite that did well enough

I did, AJ Styles vs Shane and Jericho vs Owen were the two best matches in my view. AJ Styles is one of the best I have ever seen in terms of in-ring work, but Shane was simply superb. Perhaps his best ever performance. Jericho is one of the most consistent performer of all time, so no surprises there. Didn't enjoy Lesnar vs Goldberg at all, and HHH vs Rollins could have been better as well.
 
I did, AJ Styles vs Shane and Jericho vs Owen were the two best matches in my view. AJ Styles is one of the best I have ever seen in terms of in-ring work, but Shane was simply superb. Perhaps his best ever performance. Jericho is one of the most consistent performer of all time, so no surprises there. Didn't enjoy Lesnar vs Goldberg at all, and HHH vs Rollins could have been better as well.

Definitely, I've been watching AJ since 02/03 and he's the closest thing to Shawn Michaels I've ever seen and for me is already an all time great. My top two matches of the night were AJ/Shane and HHH/Seth, HHH/Seth was not going to be everyone's cup of team they worked a very old school style which had more of an emphasis on selling/psychology which the audience in this era does not tend to enjoy as much. Shane was brilliant indeed, he's very underrated; has always managed to hang in there with some elite performers. That may have been Jericho's final match as a full time performer, he's had a brilliant run as a character recently and that match with KO was excellent. Berg/Lesnar was the best it could have been when you factor in how old Berg was and way past his prime, the crowd enjoyed the match they put on
 
I think there's still a chance that Undertaker could return to in-ring competition for 1-2 more matches but as the American Bada$$, don't think we will ever see the phenom persona again.

Taker did not train hard for this match against Reigns because he was due Hip surgery and was carrying various other niggles so was a lot more slow/ponderous; there's a possibility he'd want to go out on a high and put on a better match and with the right opponent it is certainly possible when you look at the farewell which HBK gave Ric Flair, I believe AJ Styles can do the same for the Undertaker. Perhaps after his surgery he'll be able to rehabilitate and get to a point where he can begin to improve his general fitness and get into better shape for one final bout
 
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One of the greatest I have ever seen. I can remember the days when Undertaker would go missing for a few months to have a rest. And than when he came back it would lift the product again.

Have so many childhood memories from watching Taker. Actually going to miss him

He's given his all for the company. I think he deserved more than to lose to Roman in his last match. But I think it's clear he's past his best.

Goodbye to the locker room leader. :salute
 
Should have been allowed to retire with an unbeaten wrestlemania record :(
 
The greatest wrestling character of all time. Hands down. And a very underrated wrestler in the ring as well. HBK vs Taker at WM XXV is the greatest Mania match in my opinion.
 
The greatest wrestling character of all time. Hands down. And a very underrated wrestler in the ring as well. HBK vs Taker at WM XXV is the greatest Mania match in my opinion.

Yes, the first half of his streak his incarnation of the Undertaker did not require as much selling and psychology but second half is brilliant; the matches against the following opponents were very good to exceptional:

Kane 1
Ric Flair
HHH 1
Randy Orton
Batista
Edge
HBK 1
HBK 2
HHH 2
HHH 3
CM Punk

After the streak ended the quality dropped but the match vs Shane was decent.

Taker truly is the deadman, a man with his size and frame is incredibly fragile yet despite that he has outlasted pretty much everyone and put on excellent matches and I agree that his character is the greatest of all time.

Kurt Angle v HBK is the greatest mania match in my opinion but won't argue with those who say HBK v Taker. Another thing to note is no one will ever match Taker's wrestlemania career which is the pinnacle of our industry, there was starrcade (no one has the record taker has at mania at the event) in the past but Taker outlasted that event and promotion thanks to the WWF defeating WCW so his achievement is incredibly esteemed and arguably the most prestigious in the industry in general beyond championships and title wins.
 
Yes, the first half of his streak his incarnation of the Undertaker did not require as much selling and psychology but second half is brilliant; the matches against the following opponents were very good to exceptional:

Kane 1
Ric Flair
HHH 1
Randy Orton
Batista
Edge
HBK 1
HBK 2
HHH 2
HHH 3
CM Punk

After the streak ended the quality dropped but the match vs Shane was decent.

Taker truly is the deadman, a man with his size and frame is incredibly fragile yet despite that he has outlasted pretty much everyone and put on excellent matches and I agree that his character is the greatest of all time.

Kurt Angle v HBK is the greatest mania match in my opinion but won't argue with those who say HBK v Taker. Another thing to note is no one will ever match Taker's wrestlemania career which is the pinnacle of our industry, there was starrcade (no one has the record taker has at mania at the event) in the past but Taker outlasted that event and promotion thanks to the WWF defeating WCW so his achievement is incredibly esteemed and arguably the most prestigious in the industry in general beyond championships and title wins.

The early half of his career did not require much in ring ability since he was more of a gimmicky character but even back then taker had some really good matches. Bret rates his matches against taker as some of the finest and i think mentioned that taker had exceptional conditioning for a guy his size and that's why his workrate was really good. In fact, i think we missed the best of Taker (1990-97) simply because Vince insisted on booking him against guys like Giant Gonzalez etc. His ability had declined somewhat(2000-03) and American Bad *** Taker's matches weren't that good but then he was brilliant once again 2004-09. his best matches weren't even on Wrestlemania. Him vs Bret on an random Monday Night RAW in 97, Kurt vs Taker 03 and then again 06 at No Way Out etc. Some real classics.
 
The early half of his career did not require much in ring ability since he was more of a gimmicky character but even back then taker had some really good matches. Bret rates his matches against taker as some of the finest and i think mentioned that taker had exceptional conditioning for a guy his size and that's why his workrate was really good. In fact, i think we missed the best of Taker (1990-97) simply because Vince insisted on booking him against guys like Giant Gonzalez etc. His ability had declined somewhat(2000-03) and American Bad *** Taker's matches weren't that good but then he was brilliant once again 2004-09. his best matches weren't even on Wrestlemania. Him vs Bret on an random Monday Night RAW in 97, Kurt vs Taker 03 and then again 06 at No Way Out etc. Some real classics.

I agree, Taker has also said in interviews he loved working with Hart and that his favourite match was against shawn in the first ever hell in a cell (interview was conducted during the early 2000's). Also, I nominate your post for POTW :mv lets see if they put you over :yk
 
I agree, Taker has also said in interviews he loved working with Hart and that his favourite match was against shawn in the first ever hell in a cell (interview was conducted during the early 2000's). Also, I nominate your post for POTW :mv lets see if they put you over :yk

Meltzer gave the Badd Blood Hell in a Cell match 5 stars. It is a very good match but if you watch the Raw episodes before it, the match becomes phenomenal. It also was the debut of my eternal favorite (soon to be Mayor) Kane. Kane Mark fo fo fo life!

Not gonna lie, I felt very sad when Taker lost. It was the right decision and you knew it had to happen but you were still sad kind of like losing a family member. Not to that magnitude but still a similar feeling.
 
Meltzer gave the Badd Blood Hell in a Cell match 5 stars. It is a very good match but if you watch the Raw episodes before it, the match becomes phenomenal. It also was the debut of my eternal favorite (soon to be Mayor) Kane. Kane Mark fo fo fo life!

Not gonna lie, I felt very sad when Taker lost. It was the right decision and you knew it had to happen but you were still sad kind of like losing a family member. Not to that magnitude but still a similar feeling.

It was an amazing match, a bit underrated; doesn't get as much attention as it was during in the inception of AE era so gems like the feuds between HBK/Bret, Kane/Taker and Bret/Austin tend to fall under the radar; all these guys are pioneers of the AE era before the likes of The Rock got really over as main-eventers. That debut is one of the best ever, that got to be Kane! that got to be Kane! I enjoyed his match with the Undertaker at mania 14 really loved it, the mania 20 one was so underwhelming, time constraints may have done them over.

No woman has ever made the bear cry and I was okay as the gloves came off and the coat but when Taker took his hat off....

giphy.gif


tumblr_n3knmfmq0a1rnjfjfo1_400.gif


I want Kane to retire in this persona:

giphy.gif


It's one of the most emotional scenes ever seen in WWE and you are right it really was like losing a family member :( I could always go to Taker when I had issues growing up, he was always there and provided me with so much inspiration.

The phenom is retired leathers but Taker will be back for one final match
 
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Wow didn't realise he was still wrestling I thought he must have retired years ago.. Kudos to him for sticking it out for all these years, growing up I was scared of undertaker I liked all his roles the undertaker vs undertaker match even though people now will consider it to be crap back in the day in ny school we used to talk about that match as kids how can there be 2 undertakers lol

Then the match where he disappeared in the casket and again as kids we were puzzled and scared how he disappeared..

Then his rivalry with Kane the character Kane owes so much to undertaker as to the guy who plays it..

Then his ministry of darkness phase I personally loved it, all the lights going out between the match and ministry coming out and bearing up people.. The Stephanie McMahon marriage thing, Austin crucification etc all was good watch as a teenager..

His biker phase I liked personally as well was good theme song and gave him that bad *** look..

Then when he came back as deadman with all the droids and Paul bearer again was epic to watch..

He is the best written character in wrestling ever.. he might never had the mainstream success/popularity of people like hulk hogan, Brett hart, Austin or rock but if you ask anyone who never watched wrestling they might still have heard the name undertaker rather than the above mentioned names..

Good luck to him for whatever he decides to do in future..
 
I don't want to see the undertaker wrestle again as I feel he doesn't deserve the stress and he just isn't the same wrestler he was say 5 years ago. The only regret I'll ever have is that I never got to see Cena vs Taker at WM.

It was going to happen at WM 26, hence the Undertaker tombstoned John Cena at Madison Square Garden the night they were partners. WWE was all and ready to book the match but then Shawn announced that he wanted to retire and when HHH wasn't available or something to fight with Shawn since Vince had other plans.
So then WWE decided to book HBK vs Taker. It was always going to be tough for that match to live up to match they had the previous year which imo was the greatest WM match. But they still did great but I'll always regret never seeing Cena vs Taker at WM.

As for Taker's retirement I feel it was a great way to express the end for the "Undertaker" character. So now that when he shows up to WWE events or say the Hall Of Fame he won't need to dress up as the Undertaker. But instead we will get to see the man behind the Undertaker - Mark Callaway.

As for people saying that Undertaker should retire with a win, he doesn't need to depart with a win, he ultimately did something that a lot of major stars have done in the past and that's put over a young guy in his final match. Roman Reigns didn't exactly need the "passing of the torch" given that he's already a 3 time WWE Champion, but it makes sense, given that Reigns is going to be possibly the biggest player in WWE for much of the next decade.

Also, Taker's body is worn out if all the reports over the past several years are true and they probably are based on the visible downgrade of Taker's in-ring abilities over the past 3 or 4 years. It's been reported that Undertaker has put off having needed surgery for a long while, including hip replacement surgery, as having these procedures would mean an end to his in-ring career. Undertaker's 52 years old and he's also probably at a point in his life where he has to consider his next 20 to 30 years, and how a 30 Plus year career as a pro wrestler will affect him. As a result, if the guy needs to have stuff done to fix him up so he can live to a ripe old age without his body being racked by pain, then I'm feel it's time he hangs up the boots.

All in All I'm going to miss the greatest WWE Character ever and miss all his amazing moments and promos. But at the end of the day we have to see what's best for the legend himself and if he needs to retire than so be it we as fans can not be selfish and ask for another match. When he's given up the past 30 years to Pro wrestling he deserves some time to himself.
 


This was his best theme music.

I have stopped watching wresting 4 years ago but did watch it occasionally when Taker used to wrestle. It was sad to see Undertaker in this year Royal Rumble, not a good feeling to see your hero in that state. Should have quit a year ago.

Wrestling is over for me after him retiring :mv
 
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