To The Last Outlaw
The Undertaker truly was the last of a dying breed.
The sun has set upon your former way of life,
Always did it your own way, on your own terms. This being no different.
Countless memories and moments are forever alive within all of you’ve touched.
With a tip of your hat, perhaps a tear, your goodbye was without fuss.
As it’s been several months removed from WrestleMania, I feel able to rip the bandage off the wound of the possible definite end to the career of the Undertaker. Mark Calaway. Mean Mark Callous. The Deadman. The American Badass. The Phenom.
He’s one of the last of his kind, as most wrestlers his age are no longer in ring competitors. One of the last of a certain generation, sadly of a dying breed. I can’t speak to specifics of his wrestling training as opposed to today’s but it just seems and feels to me that it was definitely different. He broke into the business in 1984, and had his first ever match with another legend Bruiser Brody. I have been able to relive some of his Mean Mark Callous days in WCW on the WWE Network and it was clear even then that there was something enigmatic and singular about the tall Texan.
I have to say he really came into his own as the Undertaker character as it fit the man like the gloves he wore. I remember being terrified of him but strangely mystified as a child. He may have haunted my nightmares a time or two, but I always was eager to see what he and the late Paul Bearer had thought of next.
The masterfulness of his character over time, combined with hard work and hard earned respect has created a legend far eclipsing his almost 7 foot frame. His ability to continually evolve with the times and stay relevant over nearly 30 years with one company is a feat in and of itself. The Streak of course will never be eclipsed and even the ending of it doesn’t seem quite real, even though I witnessed it with my own eyes in New Orleans.
There are many arguments alive on the vast interwebs about part-time talent but the Undertaker is one where I can justify it. He put in the blood, sweat, tears, bones and years off his natural life for wrestling. He also never “deserted” us for another occupation. You’d be hard pressed to find bad press or bad connotations about the man as well. He like so many others that can defy time in his ability to entertain and connect with an audience is what will keep him as a standard bearer in wrestling for many generations to come.
And if WrestleMania 33 was goodbye, it may hurt like hell and make grown folks cry like children, but it befits the man. Thanks for the memories.
*tips hat*
