As a revered figure in professional wrestling, The Undertaker has witnessed the industry evolve dramatically throughout his storied career. From the banning of headshots and blading to improvements in wellness policies and concussion protocols, the changes have been numerous and impactful. However, not all aspects of modern wrestling sit well with the legendary WWE Hall of Famer.
In a candid discussion with Maven Huffman on the latter’s YouTube channel, The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, opened up about his views on contemporary wrestling practices. The conversation started with a nostalgic look back at The Undertaker’s iconic Hell in a Cell match against Shawn Michaels, specifically highlighting a memorable spot where Michaels reversed a chokeslam with a strategic kick above The Undertaker’s knee, followed by a flurry of punches.
“That was an intense moment,” The Undertaker reminisced, acknowledging the tactical brilliance of Michaels. “It was a perfect example of psychology in wrestling.”
However, this led him to express his discontent with a prevalent trend in today’s wrestling scene. “Today there’s too much … after that kick, I think a lot of people in today’s wrestling would have gladhanded the people — they would’ve went to the crowd,” he began. “It doesn’t make sense. You wouldn’t do that in a fight, you wouldn’t do that in that situation, and that’s one of my biggest pet peeves.”
The Undertaker elaborated on his frustration, noting that modern wrestlers, despite their athletic prowess, tend to pander excessively to the audience at inappropriate moments. “It takes away from the realism,” he asserted. “In the heat of the moment, you shouldn’t be looking to the crowd for approval. It’s a fight, and it should feel like one.”
Maven chimed in with a piece of advice he once received from wrestling veteran Fit Finlay. “Fit told me, when you turn heel and get heat, you should follow it up with aggressive offense,” Maven recalled. “Don’t let up, keep the intensity going.”
The Undertaker wholeheartedly agreed with this sentiment. “There’s gears to what’s going on,” he explained. “You start in first gear, but when that window opens up, brother, you gotta hit sixth, and hit it quick.”
This philosophy, he believes, is crucial for maintaining the intensity and authenticity of a match. “Wrestling is about storytelling,” The Undertaker continued. “Every move, every sequence has to contribute to the narrative. Breaking that flow to play to the crowd disrupts the story and diminishes the impact of the moment.”
His comments reflect a broader concern among wrestling purists who feel that the art of in-ring psychology is being lost in favor of more crowd-pleasing antics. The Undertaker’s views resonate with those who believe that wrestling should retain its gritty, realistic edge.
“It’s not about denying the audience interaction,” The Undertaker clarified. “It’s about knowing when and how to do it. There’s a time to engage with the fans, and there’s a time to stay in character and keep the fight believable.”
Throughout his illustrious career, The Undertaker has been a master of maintaining kayfabe and delivering compelling performances that kept fans on the edge of their seats. His critique comes from a place of deep respect for the craft and a desire to see future generations uphold the standards that made wrestling captivating in the first place.
“Wrestling has evolved, and that’s good,” he concluded. “But some things are fundamental. The realism, the intensity, the psychology — those should never be lost.”
