This Sunday marks the 25th anniversary of the first appearance of The Undertaker at the 1990 Survivor Series pay-per-view.
It is a stunning achievement from a character whose appearance has equally scared the life out of fans and delighted them over its long run.
Not only that, Mark Calaway has managed to remain at the top of the WWE’s card for the large majority, if not all, of those years with chokeslams and tombstone piledrivers sending the best wrestlers in the business to their graves.
Few other WWE stars can boast such longevity, let alone the aura that accompanies ‘Taker every time his eerie music plays and the pyrotechnics shoot from the turnbuckles or lighting bolts crash from the ceiling of the arena.
Here, we look at why The Undertaker has survived for so long.
1. Mythology
He is TV’s most recognisable mythical creature; one we have all seen and believed.
From his powers being kept in an urn to question marks over whether he has a beating heart to the site of his army of druids trudging to the ring or rivals being tied to a Satanic cross, The Undertaker has always represented something greater than us mere mortals.
This has played a pivotal role in a host of feuds and is currently featuring predominantly in his latest altercation with Bray Wyatt.
2. Reinvention
Essentially, there have been two stages to ‘Taker’s evolution – the Deadman and the American Badass.
Both have been used by Creative in order to reinvent its star, neither time taking anything away from the bare basics that has made The Phenom such a popular figure for so long.
From pale-faced mortician, through end of days reaper via Harley Riding rocker and back, not once has ‘Taker failed to delight after the most subtle of changes to his makeup.
3. One for any occasion
Initially, there was no question that ‘Taker was a heel.
He was the ultimate villain, setting about wrecking the lives of your favourite wrestlers whether it be taking Stephanie McMahon hostage, burying Stone Cold Steve Austin alive or hurling Mankind from the top of the Hell in a Cell.
However, such is his popularity The Undertaker has managed to also play the role of babyface to perfection, without ever seeming false or forced – something John Cena has struggled with in recent years.
4. Ability
Whether he’s taking us to the Old School, bleeding from top to bottom or hurtling wrestlers to the canvas with huge chokeslams; ‘Taker’s repertoire knows no bounds.
His manoeuvrability is also remarkable for a man of his size (the wrestling equivalent of Peter Crouch having ‘a good touch for a Big Man’).
Combined, this is the reason he has been able to serve up classics encounters with everyone in the locker room that he has faced such is Calaway’s ability to mix it up in the ring and strike up a chemistry with his opponents.
5. He never gets old
Okay, at 50-years-old Calaway is actually getting old and does sometimes now look a little tired in the face.
But there is no denying that he can still sell spots, and in return tickets, and his legend is one that allows his more and more sporadic appearances to go somewhat unnoticed due to the mystery associated with ‘Taker.
Whether it is the 25th, 2,500th or first time you’ve seen him in action, you will never cease to be excited by the sight of the Phenom.
