The Undertaker – Biding farewell to a proud Wrestler

With many different ring names like The Commando, The Master of Pain, The Punisher, Texas Red, and The Undertaker; Mark William Calaway born on March 24, 1965 retired on April 2, 2017 at Wrestlemania 33. The lavish, grotesque and disingenuous command our eyes and ears with increased frequency, and we have forgotten the pleasure of taste and restraint. That is what made the actions of The Undertaker at the conclusion of Wrestlemania 33.

Calaway began his wrestling career with World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in 1984. After wrestling for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as "Mean Mark" Callous from 1989 to 1990, he signed with WWF (now WWE) in 1990, making him the company's longest tenured in-ring performer. Perhaps, he is one of the most famous professional wrestlers of all time.

The Undertaker made his WWF debut as Kane the Undertaker at a taping of Superstars on November 19, 1990. He was portrayed as impervious to pain. His official on-camera debut was at Survivor Series in which he partnered with Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Team. During the match he was referred as The Undertaker, omitting the name 'Kane', which was dropped shortly after the event. Also, this was the time when he switched the manager from Brother Love to Paul Bearer. He made his Wrestlemania debut at Wrestlemania VII by quickly defeating Superfly Jimmy Snuka. It was just the beginning of a new historic streak. At next pay-per-view appearance he defeated Jim Duggan and announced as the number one contender for WWF World Heavyweight Championship. He then defeated Hulk Hogan to win his first WWF Championship at Survivor Series and this became the youngest WWF Champion in history.

A defeat from Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 33 was only his second loss in twenty-five at 'Mania. Wrestling fans have been aware for some time that the career of The Undertaker was coming to an end. The pressure to produce a classic Wrestlemania match- year upon year-as a continuation of his iconic Wrestlemania streak, had long since started to take its toll. At the previous Wrestlemania event in which he was lost to Brock Lesnar seemed to be his final days but, the Punisher returned and tried to provide much needed joy to his fans. He was looking old and tired against Roman Reigns and this is the reason why the match will not be remembered as a classic, by any standard. He was clearly impeded by the cumulative injuries that have so bedeviled him, and was unable to contribute to the fullest extent.

The attitude of the man made him revered and respected by all, and the magic of the gimmick forged a connection between audience and wrestler that withstood time, fashion and reinvention. A proud man calmly signaled the end had come and, with dignity and enduring admiration of his peers and fans alike, took his final bow. No undue hype or gaudy post-match flotsam and jetsam, just a quiet time-tested acknowledgment and then the ride into the sunset. Modesty personified!

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