WWE: 10 Fascinating Backstage Facts About The Undertaker

6. Before The WWE

Mark Calaway started out in wrestling way back in 1984. He debuted to little fanfare in World Class Championship Wrestling under the name Texas Red, probably because he is in fact a ginger. The young rookie became something of a journeyman, working under guises such as The Master Of Pain, The Punisher and Mean Mark Callous. The greatest gimmick wrestler of all time was struggling to find a gimmick. His 1989 to 1990 WCW run didn't work either. Calaway, despite having a great look and natural ability, was deemed a failure. WCW didn't extend his contract. Vince McMahon pounced. The rest is history. But what about Calaway's life even before wrestling? Well, the natural assumption had been that Calway would be a basketballer. He was tall and athletic, playing ball for Texas Wesleyan University in the 85-86 season. However, the NBA wouldn't be Calaway's destiny €“ injury meant that he failed to progress as he might have hoped with Basketball, his burgeoning interest in pro wrestling also a factor in him leaving the legitimate sport. It would be rings not hoops in which he made his name. Speaking now, Calaway states that if he had his time over again he would have liked to have pursued MMA as a young man.