Mark Calaway almost didn’t get the Deadman gimmick; WWE initially struggled to find the perfect persona for him before he became The Undertaker.
His famous WrestleMania streak almost ended multiple times; backstage plans were frequently altered to maintain the aura of invincibility.
Calaway used his intimidating persona even outside the ring to maintain the mystique, making fans and opponents genuinely wary of him.
To stay agile despite his size, he followed a strict diet and intense workouts, including secretive training routines in isolation.
Many of his signature moves, including Tombstone Piledriver and chokeslams, put him at high risk; he continued performing even through serious injuries.
The storyline feud with Kane was inspired by real-life themes, and Calaway’s chemistry with Glenn Jacobs (Kane) made the rivalry unforgettable.
Even backstage, he rarely broke character or revealed secrets, preserving the Deadman mystique for decades, earning respect from all generations of wrestlers.