During his time in WWE, The Undertaker has given us everything he has. While I can only speak for myself in this piece I am truly grateful for what The Deadman has given me…up until WrestleMania 33. While the nostalgia is still cool with his entrance and everything, I can live without seeing him work another match ever again. I felt that way at WrestleMania 33 and I feel even stronger about it now.
I will take it a step further; I would have been ok with The Undertaker retiring after the Streak was broken at WrestleMania XXX! Don’t get me wrong, the two Undertaker/Brock matches after their WrestleMania encounter were better than their clash in New Orleans.
But because Brock had taken away the one thing that kept bringing The Undertaker back, it would have been a perfect time for The Deadman to walk away. It is wrestling tradition that when you’re on your way out, you put that opponent over. The Bray Wyatt and Shane McMahon matches at WrestleMania 31 and 32 respectfully had no reason for them.
Then WrestleMania 33 comes around. It’s Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns. As the time gets closer, we learn the Undertaker had been putting off much needed surgery until after this match. We then learn that the match will be going on last. Then we find out Jim Ross was handpicked to call this match. This was The Deadman’s final dance, it was finally happening.
Don’t get me wrong, I was emotional because it was inevitable but it still sucked when the time came. The match was something I will NEVER watch again because it was not good and very sad. Undertaker was working with severe injuries and Roman is the much younger, stronger, faster, and fresher talent. It was hard to watch, but what followed after that should’ve been something that lives in immortality.
The symbolic way The Undertaker took off all of his entrance gear and gloves, left them in the center of the ring, and then disappear into the Orlando night was something that gave me absolute chills and brought a tear to my eye. Orlando was the setting for epic retirements where New Orleans has been the setting for the ending of Streaks.
That’s it then, right? Wrong! Much like Ric Flair, Undertaker couldn’t stay away from in-ring action. Since WrestleMania 33, Undertaker has wrestled a handful of times and I can’t watch. I can’t watch because I refuse to see the Deadman the way he is now, his timing is severely off, and I’m just not excited anymore.
The Deadman had earned that send off and to finally enjoy life in retirement. An appearance here and there? Sure I would be down with that! Wrestling even in a tag team capacity? Count me out! These opinions might be of the minority but it’s just something I can’t bring myself to do.
To defend the Undertaker a little bit, it’s hard for any high profile athlete who has spent a majority of their life involved with their respective craft to let it go. Whether it be the travel, the money, the admiration of fans, or the companionship of their peers; when you spend such a long time doing all of that some people just can’t give it up. However, like many high profile athletes as well people will pay to see them even as a shell of their former self and not many if any will tell them it’s just time.
I thank The Undertaker for the moments and matches he has given me, there are so many that I don’t have enough room for the sake of this article.
I thank the Undertaker for what he’s given to my friends and millions around the world! There is no way any of us can properly express our thanks but before there is zero chance to, please enjoy retirement. I can only speak for myself when I say that I welcome appearances, but I don’t need any more matches. You have done enough and while I understand it must be tough, it is okay to let go!
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