Not for nothing does embody the gold standard as far as gimmicks in the WWE go.
Barring the American Badass phase, he’s judiciously maintained the mortician persona for over two decades, subtly adapting with the times while still managing to enthral three generations of the audience with his presence, charisma and wrestling ability.
He doesn’t say much in the ring, but his handle on psychology and application to his gimmick are so masterful that he rarely needs to. That is why, when breaks character, the WWE Universe grinds to a standstill.
And to be fair to him, he’s managed to curtail those instances to a bare minimum – a feat that begets, even more, admiration when you consider just how exposed and open the industry has become today.
But over the extended tenure of his service to the WWE, it was always inevitable that certain moments would crop up when the human side of the performer would overshadow the gimmick when his real feelings would surface parting the elaborate characterization...when Mark Calaway will brush aside and come to the fore.
This is an article about those instances.
Here then, are five times The Undertaker broke character and left the WWE fans in a state of shock.
#1 Cucumber-gate
As you’re probably well aware by now, pro wrestlers were required to travel with their on-screen managers, valets or partners in order to keep up appearances even outside the confines of the ring.
So much so that St.Slaughter’s marijuana escapade with the Iron Shiek has gone down in pro wrestling lore as the notorious token example of a babyface consorting in real life with the heel he was feuding with.
Now, of course, being a traditional old timer, that was a huge no-no for The Undertaker, who was often seen brooding in the company of Paul Bearer – his storyline father.
Rumour has it that he was so intensely protective of his gimmick that he would often remain in the car that they used to travel together, in character of course, and have Paul Bearer alight every time at gas stations to refuel the vehicle.
During one such stop at a gas station, however, he did the most non-Undertaker thing ever possible. Paul Bearer had to relieve himself desperately but instead of allowing the poor man to “empty his tank”, The Undertaker played a rather cruel prank on him, forcing him to refuel the car first.
Paul Bearer duly succumbed to the pressure and wet his pants, a story that The Undertaker made sure, was retold throughout the dressing room the next day.
Oh, and in case you're wondering if Paul Bearer got his own back...how else do you think the world came to know that The Undertaker was mortally afraid of cucumbers?
Also read: The Undertaker: buried but not forgotten
#2 End of an Era
When Triple H engineered his second shot at Undertaker’s legend at WrestleMania 28, the fans were genuinely interested to see if he would manage to break the streak. He had come agonisingly close the previous year, and with his best friend, Shawn Michaels, as guest referee, he was in with a quite realistic chance to see it through.
But The Undertaker wasn’t in any mood to relinquish his stronghold and held firm in an encounter replete with end-to-end action and an oscillating narrative that kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
What was perhaps as poignant as the match itself, however, was how the three men supported each other on their way out of the demonic Hell in a Cell structure, completely spent.
In what was billed as ‘the end of an era’ encounter, The Undertaker shed his lone-wolf persona and walked out as one with the two remaining men from the old guard.
It was a refreshing reminder to everyone that beneath the soldier that shows up at WrestleMania every year, was human after all.
#3 Jeff Hardy’s rub
This episode happened when Jeff Hardy was making his way up the ladder as a singles competitor in the WWE. How poetic, then, that it transpired after a Ladder match for the WWE Title against.
Taker was a full-blown heel in 2002 when this match swung about... he couldn’t really be anything else against an underdog Superstar that the fans were rooting for in Jeff Hardy, could he?
In typical and ominous Deadman fashion though, he had promised death and destruction for the younger Hardy brother in the lead up to the encounter.
In what would then turn out as one of the more iconic Ladder matches in the company’s history, Undertaker defended the WWE Title, retrieving it from above the Ladder and then turned his attention to his opponent.
Many people thought he was going to deliver the beatdown he had promised, but to everyone’s surprise, Undertaker raised the defeated Hardy’s hand in a mark of respect.
Not at all something you would expect from heel Undertaker...but it was applauded on as it played beautifully with the moment. The fans were wholeheartedly behind the underdog who had lost despite his very best efforts, and the Deadman came across as classy and completely un-Undertaker like.
#4 Ric Flair’s retirement
Although he was predominantly a heel who lost A LOT throughout his career, everyone loves Ric Flair. And most of us are also in agreeance that he is, perhaps, the greatest to ever lace up a pair of boots.
Despite staking a realistic claim to that honour himself, apparently, felt the same.
Ric Flair’s retirement ceremony on Raw, the day after his emotional final match against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24 was a sombre occasion. As much as it was a celebration of his glittering career, the air in the arena hung heavy as everyone from the locker room came forth to pay their respects and say goodbye to the legendary wrestler.
Finally, the Deadman made his way out – decked in his full ring gear no less – and embraced Naitch warmly.
It was a shocking moment for all as no one thought was capable of expressing empathy... much less consoling or congratulating a freely weeping Ric Flair on his legendary career.
Old timers like were loath to break kayfabe even under the most trying circumstances...that he did so out of his own volition to commemorate Ric Flair’s retirement spoke volumes, instead, about Mark Calaway, the man.
#5 WrestleMania 33
Fans have been speculating about when would call it a day for a few years now. He’s looked increasingly haggard ever since the Streak was broken and with each year, it seems like Vince McMahon has had to call in a personal favour with him to get him to show up for WrestleMania.
It motored along that way for a couple of years, but when WrestleMania 33 dawned, people were pretty sure that it would be the Deadman’s swansong. He had hardly looked in ring shape at Royal Rumble, and on top of that, he was slated to face Roman Reigns at the Show of Shows.
Everyone knew there was only one way that match would end.
But even knowing full well the outcome of the encounter couldn’t lessen the intensity of the emotions that swept the stadium when ’s shoulders were eventually pinned down for the 3 count.
Everyone knew, in their heart of hearts, that this was probably the last time that they could witness this timeless Phenom...this cross-generational icon perform for them.
He laid his ring gear to rest in the middle of the ring and made his way to his wife at ringside, embracing her like a man would after he comes home from a hard day’s work in the fields.
He didn’t need to say a word to bid goodbye to everyone...but when has he ever been much of a talker?
The WWE fans soaked it in and lapped it up on every other occasion when had broken character, as mentioned on this list. This time, however, they were left wishing defiantly that it had never happened.
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