If you are not already aware, WWE documented The Undertaker's career between 2017-2020 and the five-part series has been airing on the WWE Network. Chapter 2 named 'The Redemption' was released this week in which we saw a completely different side of The Undertaker. We got to know the emotional side and the personal life of The Deadman which we never get to see on WWE TV.
This episode was based on the aftermath of WrestleMania 33 and the complete story of when and how The Undertaker decided to wrestle John Cena at WrestleMania 34. Not just this, we also saw The Deadman's health issues, hardcore training, relationship with Vince McMahon and more.
In this article, we will take a look at 10 amazing things we learned from Undertaker: The Last Ride - Chapter 2
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#10 The Undertaker was upset about his WrestleMania 33 match with Roman Reigns
The episode kicks off with The Undertaker and his wife Michelle McCool in their home in Austin, Texas. Eight months after the pay-per-view, they are rewatching Taker's match against Roman Reigns from WrestleMania 33.
The Undertaker said that he was very disappointed by his performance and that he felt really bad for Roman Reigns because he wasn't up to his best. The Deadman said that he ruined Reigns' dream match. McCool told Taker that this wasn't the case and maybe he felt like this, but she knows Reigns did not.
Also, after watching this match, Taker immediately thought of getting redemption and he did not want the match against Reigns' to be his last match.
#9 WrestleMania 33 was planned to be Undertaker's last match in WWE
We are taken back to WrestleMania 33 where The Undertaker was lying down in the ring after his match. He then stood up and left his hat and gloves in the ring. Taker revealed that this was, in fact, his real retirement at that point and was the most real thing he did in his entire career. He also remembered feeling hurt and disappointed with his performance.
The Big Show says that this was the true symbol of Taker's career because he left everything in the ring and would now "Rest in Peace". Michelle McCool reveals that this was the first time in 30 years when Taker broke character live on-air and kissed her at ringside.
Finally, Undertaker said that he was ashamed by his performance but that was a hundred percent him saying goodbye.
#8 How Roman Reigns felt about the match against The Undertaker
Roman Reigns is seen sitting alone backstage after his match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 and he gets very emotional. While recalling this moment during the documentary, Reigns revealed that it was heartbreaking for him. He said that looking at The Undertaker put his hat and gloves down made him emotional, and while the match was not perfect, he didn't regret one moment of it. He said that it wasn't easy for Undertaker to put on a match like that.
The Undertaker said that he gave the best he had but his physical condition didn't help him. His body was at the limit and he couldn't have done anything more.
#7 The Undertaker has had more than 15 surgeries in his career
Four weeks after WrestleMania 33, The Undertaker was ready for his hip surgery and he revealed that he had been going through this pain for more than 15 years. He arrived at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City to get his surgery.
During this part of the documentary, doctors ask Taker if he had any previous surgeries. He starts laughing and says that he has had surgeries from his head to toe and more than fifteen surgeries in total. This includes surgery on his shoulder, eye sockets, biceps, knees, and even fingers.
Taker was feeling much better and was walking pain-free for the first time in 15 years after he had this surgery. He said that a lot of time has gone into dealing with these surgeries over the years, and if he did not have to go through these procedures, he wouldn't be the same Undertaker we see today.
#6 The Michelle McCool - Undertaker Love Story
Michelle McCool recalls a hilarious story from the time when she first joined WWE. She said that the two guys in the locker room she never wanted to talk to were Kane and The Undertaker. After talking to Kane for the first time, she realized that he is the nicest man in the world but she ended up marrying the other one which was Undertaker.
Taker revealed that he first liked McCool when he saw her work ethic and love for the business. Alsohe revealed the thing which most surprised him about McCool was that she was very good at football. Taker loves the sport of American Football and said that he was impressed when he saw how far McCool was able to throw the ball.
They both recall that these were the major things that started their love story and they have been happily married since 2010.
#5 The Undertaker's first meeting with Vince McMahon after WrestleMania 33
The Undertaker's contract had expired in August 2017 and he went to WWE's Headquarters in Stamford, CT to have a meeting with Vince McMahon. Mr. McMahon didn't allow the cameras to stay inside during the meeting, but Undertaker did recall what happened during that meeting.
Undertaker told McMahon that he wasn't planning to come back but he would be ready if the boss needs him. Taker said that McMahon has great power of persuasion and you just can't say no to him.
#4 When did Vince McMahon ask Undertaker for a match against John Cena?
Undertaker was backstage at the Royal Rumble 2018 to support his wife Michelle McCool who competed in the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble match. Taker revealed that he was feeling much better but hadn't got any calls for a match at WrestleMania. He met with many Superstars like Kurt Angle, Ric Flair and Seth Rollins while he was backstage and was just there to be a supporter, nothing else.
Taker then said that he got a call from Vince McMahon a few days after the Royal Rumble and offered him a match against John Cena at WrestleMania 34. Undertaker said that he was excited about the offer but wasn't sure about his decision and to assure himself, he rewatched the match with Roman Reigns for one last time. He said that he looked old, slow, and was overweight. His feeling was still of disappointment and he wanted to redeem himself in one more match.
#3 Undertaker responds to Vince McMahon on deadline day; Primo Colon helps Taker with his training
After watching the match with Roman Reigns for the last time, Taker made his mind up and started to train. He called McMahon and told him that he would give his answer by Elimination Chamber as he wanted to train and judge his physical condition before making the final call. So he set up a ring inside an abandoned jetski workshop, had it cleaned up, and started to train.
He had motivational posters, pictures of wrestling legends in his gym because he wanted motivation whenever he went down.
During his training, Undertaker asked his wife to film a video for him in which he took a few bumps, ran the ropes, and then came in the corner to face the camera. He said "I ain't good as I once was, but I am as good once as I ever was. See you in New Orleans" and he then rolled up his eyes in typical Undertaker fashion.
He revealed that this video was meant for Vince McMahon and he sent it to him on the day of Elimination Chamber.
After he decided that he would face John Cena, Taker started to train dedicatedly. He even called up Primo Colon to help him train because Primo is a fast-paced wrestler and helped Taker with his agility before WrestleMania.
#2 The father-son-like relationship between Undertaker & Vince McMahon
This was the most emotional and heartwarming of this episode when we are shown a deep look at Undertaker and Vince McMahon's relationship in WWE. Michelle McCool said that there is a reason why Undertaker named his son Gunner Vincent. She said that these two would take a bullet for each other.
Undertaker said, apart from his father, there is no one more influential in his life than McMahon.
He said that the WWE Chairman is like a father figure and has always helped him with his problems.
During this segment, Kane is interviewed and he reveals how loyal Taker has been to Vince McMahon. He said that during the Monday Night Wars, many top Superstars left for big money but The Undertaker stayed in WWF for Vince McMahon. As a result, Taker also got loyalty from Vince throughout his career.
McMahon recalled that he has never worked with a more loyal superstar than The Undertaker. In post opinion, he was asked about what Taker means to the WWE and him personally, but he couldn't answer and shed a few tears as well.
#1 Undertaker's reaction to his match against John Cena at WrestleMania 34
The final scenes of this episode were focused on the day of WrestleMania 34. Undertaker was ready for his match and said that this was the best he felt since the first match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25.
We see scenes of John Cena sitting in the crowd and attacking Elias in a segment. And as Cena was making his exit, Undertaker's music hit, and 'The Phenom' was back. This was bone-chilling stuff with all the cool shots of Taker's entrance and music playing in the background. We know that Undertaker defeated John Cena in just five minutes and the match was merely a squash.
After the match, Taker thanked Vince McMahon and John Cena for the opportunity. He also said that this wasn't how he thought it would go down but he was happy with the match. He said that he trained for 45 minutes and got to perform for only five minutes but then also stated that WWE doesn't sell time, they sell entertainment.
This was an amazing episode altogether. We got to see a side of The Undertaker that we have never seen before and showed us a different side to the man behind The Deadman persona.