The Undertaker's WWE Career: 9 Ups & 5 Downs

5. The American Badass

The importance of evolution was never more clear than it was when 'Taker adopted his American Badass persona in 2000. No doubt a divisive reinvention at the time, it still sparks debate as to whether or not it was a wise move on the part of the legend to become the motorcycle-riding, shades-wearing, bandana-clad biker, but looking back now, it's hard to chalk it up as anything but a success.

The World Wrestling Federation was moving past the gimmicks of yesteryear, so even with 'The Deadman's evolution into the Lord of Darkness carrying him through the Attitude Era, he needed something more grounded for the company's venture into Ruthless Aggression. The biker persona was the answer to that and the fact that he had teased that evolution a number of times throughout the late '90s made the transition that much smoother.

Sure, he wasn't at his best physically during this stint and his in-ring work suffered as a result, but the gimmick change allowed him to thrive in a more realistic era and it doesn't receive enough credit for essentially shaping the superior version of 'The Deadman' that emerged after its demise.