10 Fascinating Facts About WWE In 2019
2. WWE Binned Undertaker’s Quasi-AEW Fling
The Undertaker was on a protracted retirement tour by 2019, and he agreed to a personal appearance out of gimmick (sort of) at Starrcast II. Conrad Thompson looked like he'd scored big by getting 'Taker to agree to show up, but then WWE pulled the plug. Reportedly, this happened under orders from Vince McMahon.
Follow up reports from the time suggested that Calaway did everything in his power to sell Vince on the personal appearance, but McMahon wasn't budging. Starrcast ran in conjunction with AEW’s Double Or Nothing pay-per-view in May 2019. So, in effect, ‘Taker would’ve been appearing on a weekend co-promoted by the competition.
WWE couldn't allow that.
The Undertaker also missed WrestleMania 35 that year. Some on socials cited this as a punishment for the Starrcast idea, which could be true. 'Taker was announced in mid-February, and 'Mania didn't happen until 7 April. What a messy situation for all concerned, and a bummer for fans excited to meet the legend at Starrcast.