In a recent episode of the “Six Feet Under” podcast, wrestling superstar The Undertaker opened up about the challenges he faced in accepting his retirement prior to his finale at WrestleMania 36.
In a Boneyard Match in 2020, The Undertaker faced off against AJ Styles, marking the end of his wrestling career.
Highlights from the podcast are provided below:
On grappling with retirement: “Coming to terms with retirement was no easy task. I lived and breathed Undertaker all around the clock. It was my wife and my children who put things into perspective – they helped me realize that this stage of my life was over, and I was okay with that. I was, indeed, The Undertake, and had always expected to be. I knew retirement was waiting for me down the road, but I never fully grasped the reality until it came.”
On knowing when to step down:“When the idea of retirement begins to creep in, you have to heed it.…For me, the call was made owing to factors out of my control. My body could no longer keep up with my passion or the demands of the sport. In my heart and my head, I still wanted continue, but it wasn’t feasible.”
On seeking an ideal farewell: “I was always in search of the perfect swan song… Just like John Elway who won two Super Bowls and then retired. I too hoped for that kind of an ending. But unfortunately, my physical self couldn’t keep up with my aspirations. I took the hint from my health, but it took time for my heart and my mind to catch up and reconcile with this reality – to figure out how to move on and fill the ensuing void.”
On how his role has evolved in WWE: “Sure, things have changed. I moved from being the ‘chaser’ to being the ‘chased’ and finally, the coach. I shifted my focus from being the main man to grooming the younger talent, pulling them up as much as I could in my last days. There was not much competition at my level, so I turned my attention to mentoring the next generation.”
The full conversation can be listened to below: