The Undertaker is headed to the WWE Hall of Fame. The Deadman will be enshrined as the first member of the 2022 HOF class on April 1st according to a statement released today.
Known outside the ring as Mark Calaway, the Undertaker’s career spanned 3 decades and was involved in some of the most memorable moments in pro wrestling history. Debuting in 1990 at Survivor Series, Calaway became a fan favourite almost overnight due to his must see ring walks, powerful chokeslams, and legendary win streak at Wrestlemania.
“The Demon of Death Valley” was a multi-time WWE and World Heavyweight Champion, a 7 time tag team titleholder, and a Royal Rumble winner back in 2007. His dark alter-ego saw him pioneer the Casket match, the first ever buried alive match, and witnessed him take part in the first ever Hell in a Cell fight in 1997.
Calaway ran his win streak at Wrestlemania all the way to 21 consecutive victories, a mark that’s unlikely to be broken, before seeing it come to an end at the hands of Brock Lesnar. His final match fittingly happened at WrestleMania 36 in a cinematic “Boneyard Match” against AJ Styles, a bout he would ultimately win to finish a remarkable 25-2 on wrestling’s grandest stage.
Widely regarded as one of the best to ever grace the ring by fans and wrestlers alike, Calaway reinvented his persona numerous times over his storied career. From his debut as a mortician like character with Paul Bearer, to his American Badass, and Big Evil characters, before ultimately returning to his roots as The Deadman, The Undertaker managed to stay true to himself, while adapting to the times.
There were few superstars who came through the WWE ranks over the years whom Calaway didn’t have an in ring feud with at some point. Everyone from Stone Cold Steve Austin, to the Rock, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and more all had memorable moments with the Houston native. In terms of wrestling stars, they simply don’t come much bigger than the Undertaker.
This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony will take place Friday, April 1st at the American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of WWE’s WrestleMania Week festivities.