The Undertaker one of the biggest icons to ever step into the wrestling ring. Over the last quarter of a century, he's shown us time and time again why he's one of the all-time greats.
Instead of the usual, today we'll look at a different side of the 'Deadman' and some facts about The Undertaker many fans may not be aware of.
ALSO READ: 3 WWE Superstars The Undertaker is friends with in real life and 3 he dislikes
#5 He didn't want to return to the 'Deadman'
We all love The Deadman. However, at one point during his career where he was the 'American Badass', Undertaker was dead against going back to being the iconic 'Deadman', as revealed recently by Bruce Prichard on his podcast, Something To Wrestle With.
Here's what Bruce Pritchard had to say:
"Mark Calaway hated the idea, absolutely hated the idea of coming back as The Dead Man because he thought with the American Badass character he was multi-dimensional and he wasn’t doing the head snaps and everything. He could work and go out and have a different style of match and he felt that if he came back as the Dead Man that he would have to go back to the Dead Man persona in the ring.
We all felt, ‘Look, let’s give them that at WrestleMania (The Dead Man) but then you can evolve in the ring with your work. You can work like the American Bad Ass but you’re The Undertaker. You’re in your old garb.’ It was a battle. It was a multi-month battle to really convince him that this would work and he didn’t think that people wanted The Dead Man back, he really didn’t.
He just wanted to continue on with The American Bad Ass and felt it was a step back to go to the old Undertaker."
#4 He originally wanted to be a basketball player
Before going down the path of becoming a legend inside the squared circle, Undertaker was a force on the basketball court. He played basketball in college for two years before moving to Texas Wesleyan University. and playing for the Rams.
Imagine how different the world of professional wrestling would have been if Taker had continued down the path of being a basketball player in the NBA instead of trying his hand inside the squared circle.
#3 Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stayed in his house once
In April 2008, when Brad Pitt was shooting for a film in Texas, he and Angelina Jolie temporarily moved into The Undertaker's home in Cedar Creek, Texas. The house is said to have been equipped with a gym and a fully functional wrestling ring.
#2 The Deadman loves golf
Professional wrestling isn't the only sport 'The Deadman' is a fan of. We all know about his love for mixed martial arts but did you know that Taker is also an avid golfer although, self-admittedly he isn't very good at it.
The Undertaker had the following to say about his golfing in an interview:
“I spend a lot of time with my family, my children. I also work on my horrible golf game. I love golf, but I’m awful. For some reason, I go out there and make myself miserable because I’m so bad it.”
#1 His original ring name
Did you know that "The Undertaker" is just a part of the Deadman's original ring name. His name was originally supposed to be "Cain The Undertaker". It's interesting to see that WWE dropped the first part of his name soon after but it later resurfaced in the form of his kayfabe brother Kane.