Jump directly to the content
under the radar

Who is The Undertaker, was there more than one and is the WWE legend facing John Cena at WrestleMania 34?

The member of wrestling royalty confused people by the amount of different personas he had during his lengthy career in the ring

THE Undertaker looked like he had retired at WrestleMania 33 last year, leaving not a dry eye in the house at the showpiece event in Orlando.

But he is expected to be back in the ring for WrestleMania 34 to face John Cena in what is an absolute dream match.

 The Undertaker left his ring gear in the ring showing he has retired
8
The Undertaker left his ring gear in the ring showing he has retiredCredit: WWE

Dropping his famous gloves, hat and long coat in the centre of the ring, the wrestling legend looked like he had called it a day after losing in the main event to Roman Reigns.

After making his WWF debut in 1990, the member of wrestling royalty confused people by the amount of different personas he had during his lengthy career.

Some people even think there is more than one Undertaker - but SunSport clears that up and profiles the man, the myth, the legend and all his different characters.

 The Undertaker, aged 52, lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33
8
The Undertaker, aged 52, lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33


Is there more than one Undertaker?

In short, no - Mark Calaway, his real name, is the man that has always portrayed the Undertaker.

The reason for this is his huge amount of different reincarnations and personas, which we will outline below.

Calaway is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, and there is always a constant horror theme in his acts - with the exception of his American Bad Ass phase.

 This was perhaps the Undertaker's classic persona - a macabre character in black
8
This was perhaps the Undertaker's classic persona - a macabre character in blackCredit: World Wrestling Entertainment

But the confusion lies in his longevity - he is 53 now and has been in the organisation since 1990 - and keeps coming back looking as fit as ever.

In fact, there was one storyline in 1994 where there was a fake portrayal, imaginatively called the Underfaker, who fought the real one.

 His scary look carried him through a famous career as a professional wrestler
8
His scary look carried him through a famous career as a professional wrestler

The wrestler that portrayed the fake Undertaker in 1994 was Brian Lee, his real-life cousin - but there has only ever been one true version.

So who is the Undertaker?

Mark William Calaway was born on March 24 1965 in Houston, Texas and excelled at American Football and Basketball.

He dropped out of university where he studied sport management to concentrate on his career and considered playing professional basketball in Europe before focusing on professional wrestling.

 He was nicknamed "The Phenom" due to his incredible ability
8
He was nicknamed "The Phenom" due to his incredible ability

Making his debut for World Class Championship Wrestling under the name Texas Red, he eventually joined the WWF in 1989, debuting in 1990 under the name "Kane the Undertaker".

Eventually he omitted the word Kane - although another wrestler became Kane and famously was his storyline half-brother for years, the duo tag-teaming consistently.

 His only non-morbid persona was that of the American Bad Ass, which saw him ride in on a motorbike
8
His only non-morbid persona was that of the American Bad Ass, which saw him ride in on a motorbike

Since then and until this week, the Undertaker was the company's longest consistently in-ring performer in the organisation's history.

The Undertaker is known for The Streak, an unprecedented run of 21 straight victories at WrestleMania, only losing twice - once to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 30, and the most recent one to Roman Reigns.

Calaway has been married three times, first to Jodi Lynn from 1989 until 1999 which produced one son.

Then he was wed to Sara from 2001 to 2007, with whom he had two daughters, before marrying his current wife Michelle McCool, and having his last child in 2012.

What are the Undertaker's different personas?

Macabre, scary and invoking the supernatural was the Undertaker's calling card over his WWE career - starting with the Western Mortician in 1990-91, dressed as a smart funeral director.

Having become WWF World Heavyweight Champion, he then entered the Original Deadman era between 1994 and 1996, and then Lord of Darkness from 1996 to 1998.

 In latter years he was a more stripped-down, human character
8
In latter years he was a more stripped-down, human character

Similar attire, more outlandish storylines and consistent victories saw him become the top of the sport mainly as a villainous character, continuing into the Ministry of Darkness.

In 1999 he walked out of WWF after a dispute and injury, going on hiatus before returning and entering into his only non-morbid persona.

With American Bad Ass between 2000 and 2001, he abandoned the sombre, black-themed clothing and re-invented himself as a biker, riding to the ring on a motorbike.

 Real name Mark Calaway, The Undertaker has been married three times
8
Real name Mark Calaway, The Undertaker has been married three timesCredit: Getty Images - WireImage

That period as a hero ended and he was back as Big Evil from 2001-2003 and then Return of the Deadman from 2004 to 2007, where he earnt the nickname "The Phenom" due to his imperious form.

The Undertaker won his first Royal Rumble in 2007 and seemed to show a more human side at times - and in the last few years as he aged became known as the Last Outlaw.

Topics