The Evolution of The Undertaker: A Deep Dive into His Character Changes

For over three decades, The Undertaker has remained one of WWE’s most iconic figures, in large part due to his ability to reinvent his character and stay relevant​. Debuting in 1990, Mark Calaway’s Undertaker persona has transformed from a silent “Deadman” to a cult leader, an American biker, and back again – all while maintaining a mystique that captivated audiences. “Over the last 28 years, he’s gone from Western undertaker to the Lord of Darkness to the American Bad Ass to [the] Old Gunslinger,” Calaway noted, emphasizing that constantly evolving was key to his unprecedented 30-year run​.

This chronological timeline explores The Undertaker’s major character changes, the creative decisions behind each transformation, the impact on WWE storytelling and fan reception, and the key rivalries that fueled each era.

1990–1994: The Deadman Debuts and the Western Mortician

The Undertaker first appeared at Survivor Series 1990, introduced as the mysterious final member of Ted DiBiase’s team. Wearing a black trench coat, grey gloves, and a Western mortician’s hat, he struck fear with his zombie-like demeanor and ominous funeral bell entrance. This original “Deadman” character – inspired by an old Western undertaker concept – stood out amidst colorful 90s characters. “The original character was based on an old Western undertaker. It was so different… I talked very low with very menacing words,” Calaway said, explaining how the gimmick’s quiet menace commanded audience attention from the start​.

The Undertaker was initially presented as an invincible heel, no-selling opponents’ offense and sealing victims in body bags after matches. Fans, however, were mesmerized by the character’s unique aura, and by 1992 he organically turned babyface (a rarity for a supernatural villain) due to growing popularity.

Behind the Gimmick

The Undertaker’s creation was the brainchild of WWE’s Bruce Prichard (aka Brother Love). Prichard envisioned an “evil as night” figure to contrast his own righteous preacher persona​. In fact, Undertaker debuted under the name “Kane the Undertaker” before “Kane” was dropped weeks later​. This early direction established the supernatural theme – complete with a funeral parlor manager, Paul Bearer, who joined in 1991 to cement the undead mortician lore.

Key Storylines & Feuds

As a newcomer, Undertaker immediately feuded with WWE’s top hero Hulk Hogan, even capturing the WWF Championship from him in 1991. He later vanquished menacing foes like Jake “The Snake” Roberts – a rivalry that marked Taker’s face turn when he protected Miss Elizabeth from Roberts’ attack. In 1994, his clash with Yokozuna in a Casket Match led to a dramatic “death” angle: after a gang of villains sealed Undertaker in a coffin, he ascended on the video screen, signaling a hiatus. This supernatural exit set the stage for his first major character refresh later that year.

Audience Reception

WWE audiences were awed by the Deadman’s macabre theatrics. The character’s unbeaten streak and otherworldly invincibility quickly made him a fan favorite, even as a villain. By maintaining an air of invulnerability and mystique, the early 90s Undertaker became a cultural phenomenon – kids and adults alike were both terrified and transfixed by the larger-than-life “Phenom.” His longevity at the top, even in these initial years, was unheard of, as he remained a consistent draw from Hulkamania into the New Generation era​.

1994–1996: The Dark Evolution – Purple Gloves and a Phantom Mask

After a seven-month absence, The Undertaker was “reborn” at SummerSlam 1994, returning to defeat an imposter “Underfaker” in a spectacle that updated his look. He now sported purple gloves and accents instead of grey – a subtle change that refreshed his image and distinguished him from the fake​. Through 1995, the Deadman persona grew darker. Notably, after suffering a legit facial injury (a crushed orbital bone courtesy of King Mabel), Undertaker adopted a haunting phantom mask upon return in late 1995. The protective face mask, resembling the Phantom of the Opera, only amplified his mystique, terrifying opponents​ Fans were actually disappointed when he healed and removed the mask in early 1996​, a testament to how effectively it added intrigue during its brief use.

Behind the Scenes

WWE’s business was slumping in 1995, so the company was keen to keep Undertaker on TV despite injuries​. The decision to have him work in a mask was born of necessity – Undertaker’s star power was needed to boost live events during a down period. Serendipitously, the mask became a memorable wrinkle to his character, showing Taker’s knack for turning real setbacks into creative positives. This era also saw subtle shifts: he began incorporating more gothic elements and supernatural “powers” (e.g. lightning strikes in the arena), foreshadowing an even darker turn.

Key Feuds

A pivotal rivalry during 1996 was with the deranged Mankind (Mick Foley). Their summer ’96 feud (including the first-ever Boiler Room Brawl) forced Undertaker to wrestle in a more chaotic, brawling style, pushing him to new levels of aggression​. Paul Bearer’s shocking betrayal at SummerSlam 1996 (aligning with Mankind) served as a catalyst for Undertaker to become a more vengeful, unforgiving character. By year’s end, after literally being Buried Alive by a host of villains, Undertaker returned at Survivor Series 1996 in a dramatic entrance – descending from the rafters with bat-like wings, clad in leather and without his signature tie and gloves​. He even wore a painted teardrop under his eye (symbolizing vengeance) during late 1996.

Shifting Style and Fan Response

Thanks to battles against skilled foes like Mankind and Bret Hart, the mid-90s Undertaker shed his slow, no-sell style and showed he could deliver athletic, intense matches. Fans took notice as The Undertaker evolved from a mere spectacle to a more well-rounded performer. By 1997, he was moving quicker and adding new moves – setting the stage for some of the best bouts of his career (such as the iconic Hell in a Cell with Shawn Michaels in October 1997). This period proved the Deadman could adapt in-ring, not just in character, and laid the groundwork for the more complex storylines to come.

1997–1999: Lord of Darkness and The Ministry of Darkness

As the Attitude Era dawned, The Undertaker’s character underwent its darkest transformation yet. In late 1997 through 1998, he morphed into the self-proclaimed “Lord of Darkness.” No longer a mere somber guardian, Taker became a more sinister figure, showing a willingness to cross ethical lines. This heel turn fully materialized in mid-1998 when he reunited with Paul Bearer and unleashed a “Ministry of Darkness” – a satanic-like cult faction – in early 1999​. Draped in hooded robes, speaking in tongues, and sporting a demonic goatee, The Undertaker now led a brood of followers (many of them his real-life friends) who carried out his evil bidding​

He performed unsettling rituals on WWE television: hanging the Big Boss Man from a cell, attempting to “sacrifice” Stone Cold Steve Austin on a symbol, and even abducting Stephanie McMahon in a black wedding ceremony​. This was Undertaker at his most controversial and extreme.

Creative Direction

The shift to the Ministry persona was WWE’s attempt to push boundaries during the edgy Attitude Era. The Undertaker’s character “became more demonic than ever”, as he himself foreshadowed the coming “dark days” in late 1998​. Backstage, this gimmick allowed Mark Calaway to tap into horror elements and refresh the character after years as a heroic figure. However, even WWE’s creative team acknowledged the Ministry angle sometimes veered into absurd or bad taste​ – for example, network executives were reportedly uneasy with the “crucifixion” imagery. Additionally, by 1999 Undertaker was battling multiple injuries, which affected his ring performance​. The elaborate storytelling (with Undertaker often directing his acolytes rather than wrestling) helped cover for his physical slowdown, but WWE knew a change would be needed soon.

Key Rivalries Influencing the Change

Two long-term story arcs drove this transformation. First, the saga with his kayfabe brother Kane (1997–98) dragged the Deadman into more macabre territory – involving secrets of family trauma, burning caskets, and supernatural implications (Kane’s debut was in Hell in a Cell ’97, directly tied to Undertaker’s lore). By teaming with, then betraying Kane in 1998, Undertaker signaled he was embracing darkness to defeat all comers. Second, his feud with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in 1998–99 escalated from a standard title rivalry into a personal war that saw Undertaker form the Ministry to target Austin (and the McMahons). This culminated in the infamous “Higher Power” storyline. Ultimately, these feuds necessitated Undertaker becoming an unrepentant villain, setting himself up as an overarching threat to the entire WWF.

Impact on Storytelling & Fans

The Ministry of Darkness era made The Undertaker the centerpiece of WWF’s wildest narratives. It produced shocking television, but fan reception was mixed. While many Attitude Era fans enjoyed the chaotic, soap-opera-style plot twists, others felt the angle “crossed the line”​. Still, Undertaker’s commitment to character was unwavering – he fully inhabited the role of an evil mastermind. Importantly, by mid-1999, the Ministry merged with Vince McMahon’s Corporation (forming the Corporate Ministry), revealing McMahon as the secret mastermind (“Higher Power”). This twist somewhat undercut the Undertaker’s arc, and shortly thereafter, his nagging injuries forced him off TV. In September 1999, after dropping the WWF Championship, The Undertaker disappeared to heal injuries, necessitating yet another reinvention. Little did fans know, his next transformation would be his most radical of all.

2000–2001: The American Badass – A Radical Reinvention

When The Undertaker returned in May 2000 at Judgment Day, fans expecting the familiar gong and mystical Deadman instead witnessed a shocking makeover. He roared down to the ring on a motorcycle, sporting a bandana, leather trench coat, and sunglasses – a complete 180 from the gothic Undertaker of old​

This new persona, soon nicknamed “The American Badass,” ditched supernatural tropes in favor of a biker outlaw image infused with Mark Calaway’s real-life love of motorcycles and heavy metal music. His entrance music became Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit anthems; he spoke in a normal, gravelly Texan voice (often cutting brash, profanity-laced promos); and he even acknowledged his family on-screen (bringing his wife Sara into storylines)​. It was a daring gamble to present such a beloved character in a completely new light.

Why the Drastic Change?

Behind the scenes, Mark Calaway himself felt the Deadman gimmick had run its course by 1999 amid the increasingly reality-based Attitude Era. He has recalled nervously pitching the biker character to Vince McMahon, only for Vince to surprisingly love it​. The logic was that this “closest thing to the real Mark Calaway” would freshen up his act and prove his versatility. WWE also recognized that the edgy, humanized characters were connecting with late-90s audiences more than over-the-top gimmicks. By evolving Undertaker into a more relatable badass brawler, they could extend his longevity. Creative freedom was another factor – as the American Badass, Calaway could cut promos and tell stories he couldn’t as the mute Deadman​. The abrupt change did sacrifice some of the aura (“the sudden change…was very surprising” for fans)​, but it added new layers of humanity to the legendary character​.

Storyline and Feuds

The American Badass era kicked off with Undertaker targeting the heel faction of Triple H and the McMahons (fittingly, he crashed Judgment Day 2000 to assault DX and save The Rock). Now a rough-and-tumble babyface, he feuded with edgy new stars like Kurt Angle, Rikishi, and D-Generation X, often teaming with The Rock or Kane when necessary. In late 2000, he famously chokeslammed Rikishi off Hell in a Cell, showing the daredevil side of the “Badass.” By 2001, however, Undertaker’s character grew more arrogant and turned heel once more. Aligning with Vince McMahon, he adopted the moniker “Big Evil” – essentially a villainous twist on the biker gimmick that saw him assault Jim Ross and brutalize younger talent for respect​. Key rivalries in this era included a vicious feud with Diamond Dallas Page (in which Taker defended his family’s honor) and a World Title run in 2002 where he battled The Rock, Stone Cold, and Hulk Hogan.

Fan Reception and Impact

Initially, many fans popped for the sheer surprise of the biker reinvention – the Judgment Day 2000 return got a huge reaction. The fresh persona “demonstrated how versatile” The Undertaker could be, as he successfully transitioned from an undead wizard to a trash-talking, heel-kicking outlaw without losing his spot​. That said, some mystique was inevitably lost; as one retrospective noted, “such an abrupt change…resulted in the character losing some of its unparalleled mystique”​. During Big Evil’s heel run (2001–2002), a portion of the audience grew disengaged as Undertaker squashed rising stars too easily​. Sensing this, WWE had Undertaker evolve yet again by late 2002: he began trimming down and subtly reintroducing respectful, competitive elements to his persona. In summer 2002, after a classic ladder match where a young Jeff Hardy earned his respect, fans started cheering the “American Badass” once more. This era proved Undertaker could survive outside the Deadman gimmick – a crucial test that ultimately extended his career by a few more years.

2002–2003: “Big Evil” to the Buried Alive – Transition Back to the Deadman

By late 2002, The Undertaker (still in his biker incarnation) had regained fan support through his gritty matches and “no-nonsense” attitude​. He was leaner and moving better, delivering perhaps his best ring work since the ’90s​ Notably, this period saw him add an MMA-inspired triangle choke submission (later named the Hell’s Gate) to his arsenal, and he began wearing UFC-style padded gloves, blending realism with his brawling style​

Dubbed the “Big Evil” era, Undertaker’s character was an tough veteran who, whether fan-favorite or villain, demanded respect. He had standout bouts against the likes of Ric Flair (WrestleMania X8), a young Brock Lesnar (whom he battled in a brutal Hell in a Cell in 2002), and even WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

However, by late 2003, after years without the supernatural element, WWE decided it was time to bring the Deadman back. In storyline, Undertaker was “buried alive” by Kane and Mr. McMahon at Survivor Series 2003, writing him off TV. This paved the way for a grand rebirth of The Undertaker’s original persona.

Creative Build-Up

Throughout 2003, subtle hints dropped that the old Undertaker was not gone – for instance, when Kane betrayed him, Kane claimed the Deadman was truly “dead,” almost foreshadowing a resurrection. Behind the scenes, the timing was right: the nostalgia for the classic Undertaker was growing, and Mark Calaway himself was ready to revisit the character with a modern twist. Moreover, WrestleMania XX was upcoming in 2004, and it marked ten years since his first “death” and return. WWE’s creative team seized the opportunity to hype “The Deadman returns” as a major selling point for the milestone WrestleMania.

The Kane Feud (Catalyst)

Undertaker’s rivalry with Kane is what directly triggered this character shift. Their saga came full circle – Kane, who had first appeared in 1997 to haunt the Undertaker, was now the one haunted by the prospect of his brother’s return. In late 2003, a terrified Kane began seeing signs that the Undertaker would come back to punish him. This feud was vital in reintroducing the supernatural slant: eerie mind games, lights flickering, and organ music warned Kane (and the audience) that “the Deadman” was imminent. The payoff came at WrestleMania XX.

WrestleMania XX – Return of the Deadman

In March 2004 at Madison Square Garden, The Undertaker made his epic return to the Deadman persona to face Kane. He emerged to the classic funeral bell “Dong!” and druid torchlights, once again wearing a long black coat and wide-brimmed hat. Notably, his look fused eras – he had the vintage Undertaker attire, but with a modern twist (his hat had a more cowboy style brim, reflecting a bit of the biker influence​). Fans in MSG erupted in a thunderous ovation, thrilled to see the Phenom they grew up with. With Paul Bearer by his side holding the urn, Undertaker defeated a bewildered Kane, emphatically resurrecting The Deadman character that so many had been “longing for.”​

2004–2007: The Resurgence of the Phenom

After WrestleMania XX, The Undertaker fully embraced his “Deadman” roots again, but this time he was a seasoned veteran combining old-school mystique with new-school athleticism. Throughout 2004–2007 (often called the “Ruthless Aggression” era), Undertaker became a special attraction on SmackDown, carefully protecting the aura of his character while also delivering some of the best matches of his career. He updated his costume over time – eventually wrestling in MMA gloves and a singlet top instead of the 90s spandex – presenting what some dubbed the “Hybrid” Deadman. As Undertaker himself explained, “my style had changed where I kept a lot of the elements of [the] American Badass… but then brought the origins and mystique of The Undertaker” back​. This hybrid Phenom could summon lightning and smoke for theatrical effect, yet also talk more naturally in promos when needed and wrestle a faster-paced, hard-hitting style.

Creative Direction

WWE’s goal in this era was to rekindle the magic of the classic Undertaker while keeping it fresh. They leaned into nostalgia (booking casket matches, revisiting his “undefeated WrestleMania streak” as a selling point) but also gave Undertaker top contemporary rivals to prove he was still at the pinnacle. Importantly, Undertaker got into the best shape of his career by the mid-2000s, incorporating more MMA-style strikes and submissions, which led to “the best in-ring period of ’Taker’s career.”​ He had become “one of the most consistent workers” on the roster again, even as he entered his 40s​. This period added three more World Championships to his resume and cemented the Streak as a marquee WrestleMania attraction each year​. In essence, WWE succeeded in updating the Deadman for a modern audience – a balance of character and ring excellence that many consider Undertaker’s peak.

Key Rivalries

Several new rivalries defined this era. In 2005, a feud with the young Randy Orton (billed as the “Legend Killer”) saw Orton attempt to destroy Undertaker’s legacy, even burning a casket with Undertaker inside. This storyline played on fans’ fear that the Deadman might finally be finished, only for him to return (of course) and continue his WrestleMania streak by defeating Orton. In 2006–2007, Undertaker had a classic series with Batista, trading the World Heavyweight Championship in a rivalry that proved Undertaker could still headline with the best of a new generation. Their WrestleMania 23 match and subsequent bouts were praised as hard-hitting and high quality. The year 2007 also saw Undertaker win the Royal Rumble for the first time – as if to underscore that the Phenom was as dominant as ever. Additionally, a dramatic feud with Edge in 2008 blended supernatural mind games (Edge impersonating Undertaker, Undertaker “banishing” Edge to hell in a Hell in a Cell match) with compelling storytelling, keeping fans invested in the Deadman’s mystique.

Fan Reception

Audiences welcomed the return of the classic Undertaker with open arms. There was a sense of comfort seeing the Deadman back, and as WWE pushed newer stars, having the timeless Phenom around provided continuity. At first, some of the “monster-of-the-week” storylines (pitting Undertaker against giant, bizarre characters like Heidenreich or The Great Khali) fell flat in 2004–2006, drawing criticism for feeling outdated​. But whenever Undertaker was given a worthy opponent, he stole the show. By 2007, his matches with Batista, Edge, and others were often show-stealers, and fans knew that each WrestleMania, Undertaker would deliver something special. In fact, his WrestleMania 25 (2009) and 26 (2010) matches against Shawn Michaels – just outside this era – are widely regarded as two of the greatest bouts ever, a direct result of the in-ring renaissance Undertaker underwent in these years. Clearly, The Undertaker had proved that reinventing himself physically and character-wise was the key to maintaining his legendary status.

2010–2020: “The Last Outlaw” and The Phenom’s Final Chapter

In his final decade, The Undertaker transitioned into a true living legend – often called “The Last Outlaw” – as he was one of the last active performers from the early 90s. His appearances became sporadic after 2010, reserved mostly for WrestleMania and special events, which only heightened the anticipation whenever the bells tolled. Character-wise, Undertaker didn’t drastically change personas during these years; instead, he portrayed a veteran gunslinger defending his legacy. He trimmed his long hair to a mohawk by 2012 (surprising fans with the bold new look at WrestleMania 28​, symbolizing that time had passed but he was still dangerous. WWE even marketed the WrestleMania 28 End of an Era match (Undertaker vs. Triple H in Hell in a Cell with Shawn Michaels as referee) as the culmination of a bygone era of wrestling, with Undertaker emerging victorious and solidifying the immortality of his character.

After the emotional high of extending the Streak to 21-0, Undertaker faced a shocking setback at WrestleMania XXX (2014) when Brock Lesnar broke the Streak. This moment humanized the Deadman like never before – fans were stunned into silence, seeing the invincible Phenom finally fall. The loss became part of Undertaker’s character arc: he was now an aging warrior fighting for redemption and to prove he could still hang with the new breed. He continued feuds with Bray Wyatt (touted as a successor of darkness) and had a personal rivalry with Brock Lesnar in 2015, showing a slightly more vengeful, desperate side (at SummerSlam 2015, he even used a low-blow – something the old Deadman would never resort to). Each appearance was about legacy; for instance, a WrestleMania 33 (2017) match with Roman Reigns was framed as a “respect vs. legacy” battle, after which Undertaker left his gear in the ring in a symbolic gesture, teasing retirement.

Character Blending in Final Years

In Undertaker’s very last matches, we saw a unique fusion of his identities. He had effectively become a combination of all his past selves – the supernatural Deadman remained, but he also spoke more candidly (especially in out-of-character interviews in 2020) and acknowledged his biker toughness. This blending was crystal clear in his final match at WrestleMania 36 (2020). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE produced a cinematic “Boneyard Match” between Undertaker and AJ Styles. Here, The Undertaker arrived on a motorcycle à la the American Badass and dressed in a biker vest, but also used Deadman powers like mysteriously teleporting and summoning flames​. He referred to this persona as “The Unholy Trinity” of Undertaker – part Deadman, part Badass, part Mark Calaway. As he explained, the feud with Styles had become too personal (Styles had broken the fourth wall mentioning Calaway’s wife), so “there’s really no way I can bring the original Undertaker to this…You’re gonna have to get the American Badass all grown up…but he’s still got that evil side”. The result was a victorious final incarnation that fans dubbed the “American Deadman.” It allowed him to brawl and talk trash like the biker, while still performing supernatural feats in a movie-like setting – giving Undertaker a dignified, story-book ending​.

Legacy Feuds

In this twilight period, Undertaker’s rivals were often symbolic. His battles with Triple H and Shawn Michaels (2009–2012) were as much about legacy as they were about winning – telling the story of aging legends pushing each other to the limit, earning mutual respect. His program with Brock Lesnar (2014–2015) played on reality, as Brock legitimately concussed Undertaker and ended the Streak, making their 2015 rematches feel like deeply personal grudge fights. Feuding with Bray Wyatt in 2015 was almost a “passing the torch of darkness” narrative, and facing Roman Reigns in 2017 was seen as the old guard vs. new guard moment (Reigns, in fact, was positioned to take over the yard). And finally, AJ Styles in 2020 was chosen as the last opponent because AJ was often likened to Shawn Michaels – giving Undertaker one more chance to steal the show in a new format. In all these, Undertaker’s character remained constant in motivation: protect the legacy of The Phenom.

Fan Reaction and Farewell

Fans savored every appearance of The Undertaker in these years, knowing the end was near. The breaking of the Streak at WrestleMania XXX stunned the WWE Universe – a rare moment of silence in a sold-out stadium – but it only deepened the reverence for Undertaker’s legendary run. When he rebounded with show-stealers against Bray Wyatt, and later against a returning Shawn Michaels (in a tag match in 2018), fans treated it as bonus nostalgia. The Boneyard Match in 2020 received widespread acclaim from fans and critics for its creative presentation – a fitting final bow that protected Undertaker’s aura. In November 2020, exactly 30 years after his debut, The Undertaker’s “Final Farewell” was held at Survivor Series, where a hologram of Paul Bearer and the famous bell tolled one last time. The legacy of The Undertaker – kept alive through constant evolution – had finally been laid to rest on-screen.

The Undertaker’s Legacy of Reinvention and Influence on WWE

From 1990 to 2020, The Undertaker proved that character longevity in wrestling is possible only through evolution. Few (if any) WWE superstars have remained at the top for so long, and certainly none under one persona as he did​.

The Undertaker’s willingness to reinvent himself – even when it meant taking huge risks with a beloved character – is often cited as the blueprint for sustaining a wrestling career. “To keep the character relevant for this long, you have to keep your finger on the pulse…before you realize you’re stale, your audience has already moved on,” Calaway explained of his mindset​. He was never satisfied, always asking “what’s next?” while remaining true to the core of the character​. This philosophy influenced WWE’s approach to other stars as well: modern performers like Chris Jericho (in another company) or Bray Wyatt developed multiple personas, a concept validated by Undertaker’s success. WWE itself grew confident in making bold creative choices – such as dramatic heel/face turns or gimmick overhauls – seeing how Undertaker’s changes often boosted business or refreshed storylines.

In terms of storytelling, each incarnation of The Undertaker opened new avenues for narrative in WWE. His early Deadman days added supernatural fantasy to WWE’s product. His Ministry of Darkness pushed the envelope of horror and mature themes. The American Badass era injected reality and humanization, aligning WWE with the pop culture of the time (the early 2000s era of MTV and American Choppers). The return of the Deadman satisfied the nostalgia of long-time fans while contributing to the prestige of WrestleMania (the Streak became a yearly epic tale). And his final form, the “Last Outlaw,” gave a sense of closure to the character’s journey, something very few characters get to do on their own terms.

Finally, The Undertaker’s ability to remain a central figure through multiple generations – facing everyone from Hulk Hogan in 1991 to AJ Styles in 2020​ – greatly benefited WWE’s continuity. He was the bridge between eras, and his constant reinvention meant he could credibly work with new stars and make them look good. Key feuds like those against Kane, The Rock, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns all helped elevate those talents, in part because Undertaker’s character was relevant at the time he fought them. Had he stuck stubbornly to one gimmick without change, that likely wouldn’t be the case.

The Undertaker’s character evolution is a masterclass in long-term storytelling and adaptability in sports-entertainment. Each chapter of his career – from the Western Mortician to the Lord of Darkness, from the American Badass to the reborn Phenom – added layers to an ever-growing legend. WWE altered his character over time not to erase the past, but to build upon it, ensuring that the name “The Undertaker” would endure for generations. As the man himself fittingly said, “I need to bring something new to the table, but I have to be true to what my fanbase wants…you have to keep it fresh.”​. The enduring success of The Undertaker in WWE is living proof of that philosophy.