I remember the first time I ever viewed The Undertaker, in what was then, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He was this mysterious and ominous man who seemed like he couldn't be beaten by anyone in the ring. No amount of offense seemed to affect "The Deadman". Even though, as a young boy, I already knew professional wrestling to be of predetermined outcomes, his character, nevertheless, intimidated me. Death, seemed to surround this menacing foe. I, literally, feared The Undertaker.
Decades have passed, and the image of The Undertaker have changed with the times. Each version, having more personality traits of Mark Callaway, the man behind the myth, bleeding into the updated interpretations of what and of whom The Undertaker was and is.
It was during his "American Badass" era, where his form resembles that of a biker more so than that of an old west mortician, is where my respect for the man really began to take shape. As a long time superstar of the WWF, today known as the WWE, Callaway's role behind the scenes was one of a ring general. Kind of a Captain of the team, so-to-speak. One who led by example, and hopefully those under him, the newbies coming up the ranks, would fall in line.
The man today, paints another picture. He's still same Undertaker he ever was, to some degree, though his role in the company has been dialing back in recent years. He's not a young man, anymore. I can speak from experience that the years can catch up to you, if you're not looking in the right direction. Although, in 'Taker's case, he exercises and works out on a regular basis, and I haven't picked up a weight in years, unless you include my cat. The Undertaker of today, differs greatly from the one introduced over twenty years ago.
It was during his "American Badass" era, where his form resembles that of a biker more so than that of an old west mortician, is where my respect for the man really began to take shape. As a long time superstar of the WWF, today known as the WWE, Callaway's role behind the scenes was one of a ring general. Kind of a Captain of the team, so-to-speak. One who led by example, and hopefully those under him, the newbies coming up the ranks, would fall in line.
The man today, paints another picture. He's still same Undertaker he ever was, to some degree, though his role in the company has been dialing back in recent years. He's not a young man, anymore. I can speak from experience that the years can catch up to you, if you're not looking in the right direction. Although, in 'Taker's case, he exercises and works out on a regular basis, and I haven't picked up a weight in years, unless you include my cat. The Undertaker of today, differs greatly from the one introduced over twenty years ago.
I won't lie to you, though. The man, Mark Callaway protrays in (and out of) the ring STILL scares me, however nowadays, my level of respect for him equals the level of fear I have for The Undertaker!
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