10 Wrestlers Who Became Everything They HATED

3. Undertaker Becomes Embarrassed To Perform

Chris Jericho Kevin Nash
WWE.com

The 'Last Ride' series that hit WWE Network in 2020 was gripping and mortifying all at once. The docuseries wasn't some all-encompassing glittery celebration of The Undertaker's life and career. Nah, it was a deep dive into the personal hell one of wrestling's best ever characters experienced when grappling with his own mortality.

Watching 'Taker relive matches vs. Roman Reigns and Goldberg during select episodes was downright painful. It was an endurance test for any fan, and yet even the most hardcore 'Deadman' marks couldn't look away as their hero admitted he was embarrassed, humbled and concerned that he'd just tarnished his rich legacy with some serious stinkers.

Here was someone who'd almost literally lived a gimmick for decades whenever he was in the public eye. Suddenly, WWE peeled back each layer of Undertaker skin to reveal a broken Mark Calaway underneath. Physically, he was knackered. Mentally, he was ashamed of his performances between the ropes.

Calaway has also admitted that he never planned to become somebody who overstayed his welcome. A mixture of ego, addiction to performing and desperation from Vince McMahon to squeeze more from his iconic persona almost cost the man his health.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.