The Complete A-Z Of The Undertaker
Shedding a light on 27 years of darkness.
Leaving behind his hat, gloves and jacket at following a decisive loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33, The Undertaker appeared to bid a definitive farewell to WWE audiences after several years of teases that he was soon to depart.
All-but confirmed by Michael Cole on Raw the next night, the departure may still prove a heat-seeking tactic in re-establishing Roman Reigns as ultimate WWE pariah. But there was a sense of finality in his exit that really did imply his career had reached its final resting place.
It marks the end of a truly remarkable 27-year run working for Vince McMahon, and a goodbye to one of the most recognisable wrestling characters in the history of the industry.
Jim Ross used to refer to 'The Deadman' on commentary as 'the conscience' of the organisation, and both on-screen and off, Undertaker as taken a role as a leader and cornerstone through nearly three decades of tumult and turbulence in the chaotic world of professional wrestling.
Ignoring what's sure to be a lifetime of saccharine and sanitised WWE history pieces on his storied career, The Undertaker could perhaps not claim a rich back catalogue of matches akin to Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels. Nor could he claim to have reached the summit of the industry alongside Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin or The Rock.
But The Undertaker is an island in that regard. He has amassed enough stock in both areas. Still a household name, and still with enough gems to outweigh the turkeys, his career really had everything.
From debut to demise, here is the complete A-Z of The Undertaker.
26. A - American Bad Ass
A polarising period of The Undertaker's career then and now, his 2000 morph into a aggressive motorbike enthusiast was at least a refresher on the well-worn 'Deadman' gimmick he'd only really tweaked since his debut nearly a decade earlier.
The wholesale change altered virtually every aspect of the Undertaker fans had come to know and love.
The slow stride of his entrance was replaced by the roaring engine of his 'Titan Bike' transporting him to ringside, the all-black ensemble welcomed colours, denim (and on one unfortunate occasion, snakeskin leather), and his deathly mystique took a back-step to a southern states drawl promising vicious beatings.
The persona had highs and lows, with some of his most selfish and lazy in-ring work rearing its ugly head before a shocking heel turn tweaked the presentation and forced a gradual improvement. As a short spell it was an interesting experiment, but most relished his 2004 return to the 'Dark Side'.