WWE legend The Undertaker has shared his thoughts on how living his renowned in-ring persona off-screen would be a far more challenging feat in the contemporary era of constant surveillance and social media exposure.
Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, The Undertaker, known for his steadfast adherence to his dark, mysterious character, seldom made public appearances or gave interviews that broke kayfabe, thus preserving the illusion of his undead wrestler persona.
On the Six Feet Under podcast, hosted by Maven, The Undertaker discussed the strenuous efforts required to maintain character integrity at all times, an endeavor made all the more difficult by today’s ubiquitous smartphone presence.
Addressing the hypothetical scenario of attempting to replicate his rigorous commitment to kayfabe in today’s climate, The Undertaker posited that doing so would necessitate extreme measures, potentially including a life of solitude without the usual trappings of family life.
“It would be a, I mean, a super concerted effort to be able to do it. You would have to…I lived the gimmick for a long, long time. Sometimes it was very difficult. Right? But you, it would have to be, you got, you would almost have to be single. You’d have to be, obviously, not have kids.”
“Everywhere you go now somebody’s got a phone and you’re getting recorded everywhere. And so you would have to make a really concerted effort to do it. But it would be, I think, it would be like, dude, this guy’s, he’s not anywhere. He’s got no footprint. He’s got nothing anywhere.”
When the conversation shifted towards the topic of social media’s prevalence, The Undertaker disclosed his ongoing internal conflict about engaging with these platforms even today.
Answering Maven’s query on whether he would have integrated social media into his character work, had it been a factor during the pinnacle of his career, The Undertaker suggested that his past dedication to constant in-character behavior would likely have precluded any such use.
“I don’t know, cuz I still fight, I struggle with it every day. If I had the same mindset I had back in the day, but social media was there, yeah, I don’t think I’d have it.”
FAQ Section
Why is The Undertaker famous in the WWE?
The Undertaker is famous for his unique, dark gimmick as a supernatural wrestler, his enduring presence in the WWE spanning over three decades, and his memorable storylines and matches, particularly at WrestleMania.
What is kayfabe?
Kayfabe refers to the portrayal of staged events, particularly in professional wrestling, as authentic or real, including the relationships and rivalries between wrestlers.
Did The Undertaker maintain kayfabe outside the ring?
Yes, The Undertaker was renowned for maintaining his character outside the ring, often keeping in character during public appearances and seldom giving interviews out of character during the peak of his career.
Was The Undertaker’s approach to kayfabe different from other wrestlers?
While many wrestlers maintain some level of kayfabe, The Undertaker was especially known for his commitment to the character and keeping his personal life private to sustain the mystique of The Deadman gimmick.
Does The Undertaker use social media?
Although The Undertaker has since joined social media platforms, he admits to struggling with the idea and would likely have avoided it entirely if it had been present during the heyday of his career while he was maintaining kayfabe.
How has The Undertaker adapted to the changes in the wrestling industry?
Since his retirement, The Undertaker has become more open about his personal life and career, engaging with fans through social media, interviews, and appearances where he often speaks out of character, reflecting on his storied wrestling journey.