Undertaker celebrates 30 years in WWE
ONE of the most recognised superstars in the world, The Undertaker, real name Mark Calaway, is celebrating 30 years with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He made his debut in 1990.
From the first time WWE hit South African screens, the star became a fan favourite, keeping many captivated through his wrestling moves and horrifying “Deadman” persona.
To celebrate his three decades in the game, The Undertaker is going back to where it all began – Survivor Series.
The Deadman made his debut in WWE at the 1990 Survivor Series when he beat Hulk Hogan and earned his first WWE title.
This year, the much-anticipated Survivor Series event is set to commemorate 30 years of The Undertaker, taking place at the Amway Centre.
Although his fans will not be able to attend they will be able to celebrate the special moment by watching the event live through ThunderDome – WWE’s virtual viewing experience.
According to Sportsbible, The Undertaker has been named the best Superstar in WWE history by fans, ahead of StoneCold Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena and The Rock.
After hinting at a potential retirement, in Undertaker: The Last Ride documentary series in June this year, The Deadman is expected to finally rest in peace.
The Undertaker gained popularity through his horror-themed, gruesome and supernatural entity looks.
He has had six-character names over the years namely: The Original Deadman, Lord of Darkness, Ministry of Darkness, American Bad A**, Big Evil and The Deadman.
No stranger to WWE’s biggest titles, The Undertaker has won four WWE Championships, three World Heavyweight Championships and the Royal Rumble in 2007.
The star is also known for ‘ The Streak’ – a series of 21-straight wins at Wrestlemania. One of his greatest career moments took place at Wretlemania 28 in 2012 when he faced WWE legend, Triple H.
The famous match between the two giants was titled “The End of an Era”, as the two were set to make way for a new generation of WWE superstars to step in. With Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee, both men were determined to turn the ring upside down.
The Deadman counter-attacked many of his opponent’s count-outs, and while it seemed like Triple H would win, The Undertaker delivered his famous “Tombstone” move, which won him the match.
Anyone who has been a fan of The Undertaker from the beginning knows his equally gruesome half-brother Kane. The two teamed up in 1997 as “The Brothers of Destruction’. Together, they have won the WWE and WCW World Tag Team Championships.
However, at the 2010 SummerSlam, after The Undertaker was found unconscious, it was later revealed that his half-brother Kane was the one who attacked him. This resulted in a 2-year feud between the two, which ended at Raw 1000 when they reunited.
The 2020 Survivor Series will be a one-night event where Raw® goes up against SmackDown®.
Fans can also look forward to key match-ups such as:
Team RAW vs Team SmackDown in a 5-on-5 Men’s Survivor Series Elimination Match Team RAW vs Team SmackDown in a 5-on-5 Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Match
RAW Tag Team Champions The New Day vs SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits
Bobby Lashley (Raw's United States Champion) vs. Sami Zayn (SmackDown's Intercontinental Champion) - Champion vs. Champion non-title singles match
Asuka (Raw Women's Champion) vs. Sasha Banks (SmackDown Women's Champion) - Champion vs. Champion non-title singles match
Randy Orton (Raw's WWE Champion) vs. Roman Reigns (SmackDown's Universal Champion) (with Paul Heyman) - Champion vs. Champion non-title singles match
This year’s event will air live in South Africa on SuperSport 4 or DSTV WWE Channel 236 on Monday morning, November 23 at 2am.
Own Correspondent