What’s the story?
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler revealed on a recent episode of his podcast Dinner With The King, that the Undertaker’s Wrestlemania 33 ring gear had an armed guard protecting it after the Phenom left it in the middle of the ring where it stayed put for a few hours after the show was over.
In case you didn’t know...
Wrestlemania 33 was headlined by a match between the Undertaker and Roman Reigns that Taker lost. After the match, the Deadman removed his iconic in-ring gear including his hat, gloves and coat and left them inside the ring.
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Many fans and pro-wrestling experts believe that it may have been the final performance of the Deadman’s legendary career.
The heart of the matter:
Speaking to his co-host Glenn Moore, Jerry Lawler revealed that the Phenom’s ring apparel was displayed at the Wrestlemania 33 after-party following which, it was flown back to the WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. Here’s what The King had to say regarding the same:
“If you remember it was- I certainly don’t blame them- it was almost like they feared a Tom Brady Super Bowl jersey incident. The Undertaker’s gear was all brought to the Wrestlemania after-party, and a guard was placed in front of the gear until they could get it on the plane the next day to (WWE) headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. There was a guard there, absolutely. They had the FBI looking for Tom Brady’s Super Bowl jersey and they estimated that thing was worth a half a million dollars. Just imagine if somebody had the entire ring gear of the Undertaker that he wore throughout his career and in his very last match. It would be invaluable. That’s why there was a guard for it at the after-party.”
On being questioned by Moore if the said guard was armed, Lawler joked that they should’ve probably put it inside an armored car, but even that wouldn’t be safe from Braun Strowman (referring to Strowman’s recent ambulance-flipping antics on RAW). Lawler’s reasoning behind the Deadman’s gear being displayed at the after-party is as follows:
“Because the Undertaker did not take his gear with him. He left it there, he left it with the WWE Universe. He left it in the ring. I’m sure down the line at Wrestlemania Axxess, the gear will be on display just the same way it was stacked up at the end of the match by the Undertaker...I’m sure it’s under lock and key now at WWE headquarters and will only be brought out once a year at Wrestlemania time.”
What’s next?
The Undertaker has not officially announced his retirement as a competitor, but the gesture of taking off his ring gear and leaving it in the ring is being considered by many as the Deadman’s way of saying goodbye.
Author’s take
Well, after numerous instances of high-value sports memorabilia being stolen by ‘fans’, the WWE is spot-on in its use of armed security to guard the Deadman’s apparel – something that could be worth millions of dollars in the years to come.
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