12 Wrestlers Who DESTROYED Their Bodies For The Business

What was The Undertaker's last great in-ring singles match? 'Boneyard' vs. AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36 doesn't count here, because it was cinematic/pre-taped and not live inside a ring. Likewise, his tag effort with Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon at Extreme Rules 2019 isn't along for the (last) ride either. We're talking strictly one-on-one combat here.

If everyone's being honest, it might be as far back as SummerSlam or Hell In A Cell 2015's wars with Brock Lesnar. The one vs. Shane from 'Mania 32 was solid, but it wasn't great. If you don't like the twin 2015 pitch, then you'd need to go all the way back to WrestleMania XXX in 2014. That goes to show just how knackered 'The Deadman' was for a solid decade plus before eventually retiring.

Footage of 'Taker re-watching clangers vs. Roman Reigns, Goldberg and D-Generation X duo Triple H and Shawn Michaels from the WWE-produced 'Last Ride' documentary series in 2020 was harrowing. He was mortified by the shoddy quality of his work even then, and it was clear one of the industry's true greats knew he had to call it quits before he injured somebody/himself (or worse).

Injuries stretching right back to the 1990s had taken their toll on his body. There's a case to be made for 'Taker destroying his body during his prime. He wrestled through a broken orbital bone in the mid-90s, worked that infamous Cell encounter vs. Mankind with a broken ankle, and never complained as he gritted his teeth through pain elsewhere throughout an iconic career.

He's happy in retirement, but all those miles have caught up with The Undertaker physically. There's no way he's totally pain free in 2025, and that hobbled walk gives it away.