The Undertaker
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2008-07-16T07:40:03Z
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[[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225968009 by [[Special:Contributions/Ldass5|Ldass5]] ([[User talk:Ldass5|talk]])
{{dablink|This article is about the professional wrestler. For the funerary profession, see [[funeral director]].}}
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{{Infobox Wrestler
|name=The Undertaker
|names='''(The) Undertaker'''<br />Kane The Undertaker<ref name=owwprofile>{{cite web|title=Wrestler Profiles: The Undertaker|work=Online World of Wrestling|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/u/undertaker.html|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref><br />The Punisher<ref>Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.72)</ref><br />"Mean" Mark Callous<ref name=owwprofile/><br />Texas Red<ref name=owwprofile/><br />The Commando<ref name="bella">{{cite web|url=http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art55922.asp|title=Kane, The Undertaker|publisher=Bella Online|accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref><br />Punisher Dice Morgan<ref name="bella"/><br />Master of Pain<ref name="bella"/>
|image=Undertaker Milwaukee WI 031008.jpg<!---Please do not change this picture unless it is to a better free use image--->
|height={{height|ft=6|in=10.5}}<ref name="WWEProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/undertaker/|title=WWE Bio|publisher=WWE |accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref>
|weight={{convert|295|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}<ref name="WWEProfile" />
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1965|3|24}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/mark-calaway/person/49152/summary.html|title=Calaway Summary|publisher=TV.com|accessdate=2008-04-09}}</ref>
|birth_place=[[Houston, Texas]]
|death_date=
|death_place=
|resides=[[Austin, Texas]]
|billed='''[[Death Valley]]'''<ref name="WWEProfile" /> (1990-1999, 2004-present)<br />[[Houston, Texas]] (1984-1990, 2000-2003)
|trainer=[[Don Jardine]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
|debut=1984
|retired=
}}
'''Mark William Calaway''' (born [[March 24]] [[1965]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/txbirths?c=search&first=Mark&last=Calaway&spelling=Exact&11_year=&11_month=0&11_day=0&4=&14=&SubmitSearch.x=23&SubmitSearch.y=8&SubmitSearch=Submit |title="Texas Births 1926-1995|publisher="Family Tree Networks"|}}</ref> is an [[United States|American]] [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], better known by his [[ring name]] '''The Undertaker'''. He is signed to [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE).
Calaway began his wrestling career with [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] in 1984. He joined [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in 1989. When WCW did not renew Calaway's contract at the end of 1990, in November of that year he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, which became WWE in 2002). Having remained with that company ever since, Calaway is currently one of the senior performers in WWE. He is one of only two wrestlers, the other being [[Shawn Michaels]], to have appeared on the very first episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' who are still with the company today.<ref>Michaels, Shawn. 2005, Heartbreak & Triumph: The Shawn Michaels Story, Pocket Books, New York. (p251)</ref>
He is undefeated at [[WrestleMania]] with a 16-0 record and is a six-time world champion (four-time [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] and two-time [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Champion]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwf-h.html|title=W.W.W.F./W.W.F./W.W.E. World Heavyweight Title|accessdate=2007-10-17|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwe-world-h.html|title=World Heavyweight Title (W.W.E. Smackdown!)|accessdate=2007-10-17|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref> He was also the winner of the [[Royal Rumble (2007)|2007 Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/january/2007.htm|title=Royal Rumble 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-10-17|publisher=PWWEW.net}}</ref>
==Career==
===Early career (1984–1990)===
Mark Calaway made his debut in 1984 in the [[Dallas, Texas]] based [[World Class Championship Wrestling]] (WCCW) under the ring name "Texas Red".<ref name="accelerator">{{cite web|title=Bio|publisher=Accelerator|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/undertaker.html|accessdate=2008-05-06}}</ref> He wrestled and lost his first match against [[Frank Goodish|Bruiser Brody]].<ref name="accelerator"/> In 1988, after four years in the promotion, he left WCWA.
After leaving WCCW, Mark joined the CWA (which became the USWA after Jerry Jarrett merged CWA with WCCW) and wrestled under several [[List of professional wrestling slang#G|gimmicks]]. On [[April 1]] [[1989]], he was [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booked]] to win his first professional wrestling title, the [[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship]], defeating [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]], under the ring name "The Master of Pain". Under the ring name "The Punisher", Calaway won the [[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] on [[October 5]] [[1989]] when [[Eric Embry]] forfeited the title.<ref name="wcwa">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tx/tx-h.html|title=Texas Heavyweight Title history|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com|accessdate=2008-04-09}}</ref>
His first mainstream exposure was in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW). While there, he was known as "Mean" Mark Callous and wrestled as part of the [[Skyscrapers (professional wrestling)|Skyscrapers]] tag team along with "Dangerous" [[Dan Spivey]] managed by [[Theodore Long|Teddy Long]].<ref name="accelerator"> During his time in the Skyscrapers, he and Spivey were involved in a [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] with the [[Road Warriors]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wcw/clash.html#X|title=NWA Clash of the Champions Results (X)|accessdate=2007-04-16}}</ref> but Spivey left before the feud came to an end. Calaway then took on the guidance of [[Paul Heyman|Paul E. Dangerously]] and muscled his way through [[Brian Pillman]] and [[John Laurinaitis|Johnny Ace]]. His most famous match in WCW was against [[Lex Luger]] for the [[WWE United States Championship|NWA United States Championship]] at [[The Great American Bash#1990|The Great American Bash]], which he lost when Luger pinned him after a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|clothesline]]. WCW declined to renew Calaway's contract, after losing his last match to [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] on [[September 1]] [[1990]] at a house show.
Calaway briefly wrestled in [[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] as Punisher Dice Morgan. Calaway signed with the [[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF) in late October 1990.
===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment===
====Debut and WWF Championship (1990–1991)====
Calaway made his WWF debut as [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]] the Undertaker at a taping of ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|WWF Superstars]]'' on [[November 19]] [[1990]].<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/wrestling/cawthon777/90.htm The History of WWE - 1990 results]</ref> He made his official on-camera debut on [[November 22]] at [[Survivor Series (1990)|Survivor Series]] as the mystery partner of [[Ted DiBiase]]'s Million Dollar team, where he was simply called The Undertaker.<ref name=pwi89>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards", p. 88-89.</ref> Approximately one minute into the match, Undertaker eliminated [[Koko B. Ware]] with his signature maneuver, the [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]]. He also eliminated [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]] before being counted out. Shortly after Survivor Series, "Cain" was dropped from his name, and he was called simply The Undertaker. The appearance of Undertaker was modeled after a [[funeral director|mortician]] from old [[Western (genre)|Western movies]], with the [[List of professional wrestling slang#G|gimmick]] that he was impervious to pain and possessed supernatural powers, such as teleportation and manipulation of flames and lightning. It was at this time that the Undertaker switched managers from [[Bruce Prichard|Brother Love]] to [[Percy Pringle|Paul Bearer]].
He made his [[WrestleMania]] debut at [[WrestleMania VII]], [[squash (professional wrestling)|squashing]] [[Jimmy Snuka|"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka]].<ref name=legacy>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/undertaker/wrestlemanialegacy/|title=WrestleMania Legacy|accessdate=2008-07-10|publisher=WWE.com}}</ref> The win was the first in his [[#Championships and accomplishments|undefeated streak at the event]]. After a year of battles with the [[Warrior (wrestler)|Ultimate Warrior]] in body bag matches, [[Randy Savage]],<ref name=pwi89/> and [[Hulk Hogan]], he was [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booked]] to defeat Hogan to win his first [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] at [[Survivor Series (1991)|Survivor Series]].<ref name=pwi90>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards", p. 89-90.</ref> WWF President [[Jack Tunney]] ordered a rematch for [[This Tuesday in Texas]] six days later, where Undertaker [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropped]] the title back to Hogan.<ref name=pwi90/>
====Early feuds (1992–1995)====
After Undertaker's ally [[Jake Roberts|Jake "The Snake" Roberts]] lost a match to [[Randy Savage]] on [[WWE Saturday Night's Main Event|Saturday Night's Main Event]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/snme920208.html|title=Saturday Night's Main Event - February 8, 1992 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Roberts tried to attack Savage's manager/wife [[Miss Elizabeth]] with a steel chair when the Undertaker stopped him, turning him [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]]. The Undertaker defeated Roberts at [[WrestleMania VIII]].<ref name=legacy/> He then [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] extensively with wrestlers managed by [[Bruno Lauer|Harvey Wippleman]] throughout 1992 and 1993, most notably [[Kamala (wrestler)|Kamala]],<ref name=pwi90/><ref name=pwi91>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards", p. 90-91.</ref> whom he faced and defeated in the first televised [[Professional wrestling match types#container-based variations|coffin match]] in WWF history at [[Survivor Series (1992)|Survivor Series]], and [[Jorge Gonzáles|Giant Gonzales]], whom he defeated by disqualification at [[WrestleMania IX]] and by pinfall at [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam]].<ref name=legacy/><ref name=pwi91/> In November 1993, he challenged then-WWF Champion [[Rodney Anoa'i|Yokozuna]] to a casket match at the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble]]. At the Royal Rumble, Yokozuna sealed Undertaker in the casket with the assistance of several other heel wrestlers, winning the match. The Undertaker's "spirit" appeared from inside the casket on the video screen, warning that he would return.<ref name=pwi92>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards", p. 92–94.</ref> This began Undertaker's first hiatus. In reality, he had a back injury that was getting worse and needed time off.
After [[WrestleMania X]], [[Ted DiBiase]] introduced the Undertaker back to the WWF. This Undertaker, however, played by [[Brian Lee]], was dubbed "Underfaker" later on by the fans and led to the return of the real Undertaker (this time appearing as a zombie version of his original persona, and now wearing purple gloves and boot covers), and a battle at [[SummerSlam (1994)|SummerSlam]] between the two, where the real Undertaker won the match after three Tombstone Piledrivers.<ref name=pwi92/> At [[Survivor Series (1994)|Survivor Series]], Undertaker had a rematch against Yokozuna, once again in a casket match, with [[Chuck Norris]] as a special guest enforcer to keep anyone from interfering in the match. While [[King Kong Bundy]] and [[Bam Bam Bigelow]] distracted Norris, [[Mike Rotunda|Irwin R. Schyster]] interfered in the match; despite this, the Undertaker won the match by delivering a running big boot to Yokozuna, which pushed Yokozuna into the casket, and then closed the lid.
Throughout most of 1995, the Undertaker feuded with members of Ted DiBiase's [[Million Dollar Corporation]]. At [[WrestleMania XI]], while Undertaker was facing King Kong Bundy, [[Charles Wright (wrestler)|Kama Mustafa]] stole the Undertaker's source of storyline power, the urn, and disrespected the Undertaker by melting it into a large gold necklace.<ref name=pwi92/> As part of the angle, the two faced each other in a casket match at [[SummerSlam (1995)|SummerSlam]], which the Undertaker won.<ref name=pwi92/> Several weeks later, Undertaker injured his orbital bone near his eye, forcing a period of absence for surgery, until his return at Survivor Series.
====Lord of Darkness, Ministry of Darkness (1996–1999)====
{{see also|Hell in a Cell|Brothers of Destruction}}
[[Image:Undertaker at WrestleMania XXIV.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The Undertaker at [[WrestleMania XXIV]], wearing a sleeveless leather overcoat similar to his attire during the mid-1990s.]]
The Undertaker returned at the 1995 Survivor Series, wearing a [[The Phantom of the Opera|Phantom]]-like ghostly Grey upper facemask.<ref name=pwi92/> At the [[Royal Rumble (1996)|Royal Rumble]], the Undertaker was unmasked in a WWF Championship match against [[Bret Hart]]. [[Kevin Nash|Diesel]] interfered in the match to cost the Undertaker the championship,<ref name=pwi95>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.95)</ref> and [[In Your House#In Your House 6: Rage in the Cage|one month later]], while Diesel was facing Hart in a steel cage match, Undertaker came up from under the ring to drag Diesel underneath, allowing Hart the victory.<ref name=pwi95/> This feud culminated in a match between the duo at [[WrestleMania XII]], in which the Undertaker was victorious.<ref name=legacy/>
His next feud commenced the very next night, when [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] made his debut, interfering in the Undertaker's match with [[John Layfield|Justin Hawk Bradshaw]].<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1M2k3WtRqc
</ref> For the next few months, Mankind ambushed and cost the Undertaker several matches.<ref name=pwi95/> The Undertaker faced Mankind for the first time in a match at the [[King of the Ring#1996|King of the Ring]], which Mankind won.<ref name=pwi95/> The feud intensified, and they began taking their battles into crowds, backstage areas, and in the boiler rooms of different arenas. As a result, the first ever [[Professional wrestling match types#Boiler Room Brawl|Boiler Room Brawl]] match was [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booked]] between the two at [[SummerSlam (1996)|SummerSlam]]. During the match, when Undertaker reached for his urn, [[Percy Pringle|Paul Bearer]] hit him with it, [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|turning]] on the Undertaker and allowing Mankind to "incapacitate" The Undertaker with the [[Mandible claw]], giving him the win.<ref name=pwi95/> After Bearer's betrayal, the Undertaker took his rivalry with Mankind to a new level, resulting in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Container-based variations|Buried Alive match]] at [[In Your House#In Your House 11: Buried Alive|In Your House: Buried Alive]]. Undertaker won the match after a [[Chokeslam]] into the open grave, but after interference from [[Terry Gordy|The Executioner]], as well as the help of several other superstars, The Undertaker was ultimately "Buried Alive".<ref name=pwi95/> As a result, a match was booked for the upcoming [[Survivor Series (1996)|Survivor Series]], again pitting The Undertaker against Mankind, with a unique stipulation. Hanging 20 ft above the ring was Paul Bearer, enclosed in a steel cage. If Undertaker won the match, he would be able to get his hands on Bearer. Even though Undertaker won the match, interference from The Executioner enabled Bearer to escape the Undertaker's clutches.<ref name=pwi97>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.96-97)</ref> The Undertaker then shifted feuds and briefly turned his attention to The Executioner, who had become a thorn in his side since his arrival. At [[In Your House#In Your House 12: It's Time|In Your House: It's Time]], the Undertaker defeated The Executioner in an [[Professional wrestling match types#Last Man Standing match|Armageddon rules match]].<ref name=pwi97/> Towards the end of 1996, the Undertaker began feuding with [[Big Van Vader|Vader]], culminating in a loss to Vader at the [[Royal Rumble (1997)|Royal Rumble]] after Bearer interfered on behalf of his new protégé.<ref name=pwi97/> After this loss, the Undertaker's character began to focus his attention on the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]].
At [[WrestleMania 13]], The Undertaker was booked to win his second WWF Championship from [[Sid Eudy|Sycho Sid]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match|No Disqualification match]].<ref name=pwi98>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.98-99)</ref> After the event, Paul Bearer attempted to rejoin with the Undertaker, using the threat of revealing 'Taker's "biggest secret". In the storyline, Bearer announced that Undertaker was a murderer, who as a child had burned down the family funeral home business (where Bearer worked), killing his parents and his younger brother. Undertaker claimed there was no way for Bearer to have that information, but Paul announced that he was told this by Undertaker's brother [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]], who was still alive but horribly burned and scarred. Bearer raised Kane after the fire, having him institutionalized. Now, Kane was waiting for revenge after all these years. In defense, Undertaker responded that Kane, a pyromaniac, had been the one to set the fire and could not have possibly survived.
His next major storyline began at [[SummerSlam (1997)|SummerSlam]] in 1997 when referee [[Shawn Michaels]] accidentally hit Undertaker with a steel chair shot meant for [[Bret Hart]], costing the Undertaker his WWF Championship.<ref name=pwi98/> Although the chair shot was accidental, Michaels taunted the Undertaker in the following weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/1997.html|title=Raw 1997 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}{{Dead link|date=July 2008}}
</ref> The feud culminated at [[WWE Bad Blood#1997|In Your House: Badd Blood]], where the Undertaker challenged Michaels to the first ever [[Hell in a Cell]] match. During this match, Undertaker's [[kayfabe#relationships|brother]] Kane made his debut, ripping off the door to the cell and giving Undertaker a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]], Undertaker's trademark finisher, allowing Michaels to pin him.<ref name=pwi98/> As the angle progressed, Kane, with Paul Bearer, challenged the Undertaker to fights, but the Undertaker consistently refused to fight his brother. The Undertaker's final encounter with Michaels was in the return of the casket match at the [[Royal Rumble (1998)|Royal Rumble]], where Kane cost the Undertaker the win by trapping him in the coffin, padlocking the casket lid, and setting it ablaze. The Undertaker, however, had disappeared when the casket lid was reopened.<ref name=pwi100>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.100-101)</ref> After a two-month hiatus, Undertaker returned to continue the angle and defeat Kane at [[WrestleMania XIV]].<ref name=pwi100/> The two had a rematch, the first ever [[Professional wrestling match types#Inferno match|Inferno match]], one month later at [[WWE Unforgiven#1998|In Your House: Unforgiven]], where The Undertaker was booked to win by setting Kane's right arm on fire.<ref name=pwi100/>
Undertaker's longtime feud with Mankind was renewed afterwards, when Mankind cost the Undertaker a number one contenders match against Kane.<ref name=1998results>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1998/|title=Raw 1998 results|accessdate=2008-07-10|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> As a result, Undertaker and Mankind faced each other in a Hell in a Cell match at [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]]. During the match, Undertaker threw Mankind off the roof of the sixteen foot cell onto the Spanish announcers' table below, in what was a preplanned move. He later chokeslammed Mankind through the roof of the cell into the ring -- which [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimately]] knocked Mick Foley (Mankind) unconscious -- and finished the match by chokeslamming Mankind onto a pile of thumbtacks.<ref name=pwi100/> The Undertaker was able to compete in the match even while sporting a [[bone spur]] in the heel of one of his feet.{{Fact|date=January 2008}}
[[Image:Kane & Undertaker.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Undertaker has both feuded and teamed up with his [[kayfabe|half-brother]] [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]] numerous times.]]
In July at [[WWF Fully Loaded#1998|Fully Loaded]], Undertaker and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] were booked to defeat Kane and Mankind to win the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]].<ref name=pwi100/> Undertaker and Austin's reign as tag champions lasted for only two weeks, as Kane and Mankind regained the titles on an episode of ''Raw''.<ref name=1998results/> Undertaker then became the #1 Contender for the WWF Championship at [[SummerSlam (1998)|SummerSlam]], now held by Austin. Shortly before SummerSlam, however, Undertaker revealed that he and Kane were working together as brothers. Despite this revelation, Undertaker told Kane that he did not want him to interfere in the match with Austin, and even though Undertaker lost the match, he handed Austin his belt back after the match in a show of respect.<ref name=pwi100/> In September, the storyline continued, and Undertaker began to show [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] characteristics, becoming a [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|tweener]], when he and Kane revealed the fact that they were in cahoots to rid Austin of his title for [[Vince McMahon]]. At [[Breakdown: In Your House]], Undertaker and Kane were booked in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|triple threat match]] with Austin for his WWF title; McMahon stated that the brothers were not allowed to pin each other. Undertaker and Kane pinned Austin simultaneously after a double chokeslam,<ref name=pwi100/> so the title was vacated by Mr. McMahon, whose leg was then [[kayfabe]] broken in response by the brothers. This led to a match at [[WWE Judgment Day#1998|In Your House: Judgment Day]] between the two brothers for the title, with Stone Cold as the Special Guest Referee. Near the end of the match, Paul Bearer seemed about to assist Kane by handing him a steel chair to hit Undertaker with, but as Kane had his back turned, both Bearer and Undertaker hit Kane with the chair. Undertaker went for the pin, but Austin refused to count the fall, attacked the Undertaker, and counted out both brothers.<ref name=pwi100/> Finally, Undertaker turned heel the next night on ''Raw is WAR'' for the first time in over six years, reconciling with Paul Bearer and claiming that he and Bearer would unleash their [[Ministry of Darkness]] on the World Wrestling Federation. As part of this new angle, he admitted that he had indeed set the fire that killed his parents, for which he had previously blamed Kane.<ref name=1998results/>
After [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]], Undertaker turned his attention back to a feud with Austin for costing him the title at Judgment Day, viciously hitting Austin in the head with a shovel during a title match with [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]], returning the favor for what happened a month earlier. With this twist in the angle, Vince McMahon scheduled a Buried Alive match between Undertaker and Austin in December 1998 at [[Rock Bottom: In Your House]]. In the weeks leading up to Rock Bottom, the Undertaker character became increasingly demonic and satanic, attempting to embalm Austin alive, trying to have Kane committed to a [[psychiatric hospital|mental asylum]], and having his druids chain Austin to his symbol and raising it high into the arena.<ref name=1998results/> Undertaker, however, lost the match after Kane interfered.<ref name=pwi102>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.102)</ref>
In January 1999, Undertaker returned, remaining a monster heel and forming the [[Ministry of Darkness]], explaining that he was taking orders from a "[[Vince McMahon|Higher Power]]." Eventually, the Ministry merged with [[Shane McMahon]]'s [[The Corporation (professional wrestling)|Corporation]] heel stable to form the [[Corporate Ministry]].<ref name=1999results>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/1999.html|title=Raw 1999 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> During this time, The Undertaker was booked to defeat Austin for his third WWF Championship at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]] with help from Shane McMahon, the special referee.<ref name=pwi103>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.103)</ref> Two weeks later, it was revealed on ''Raw'' that Vince McMahon had been the Undertaker character's "Higher Power" all along. After Undertaker [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropped]] the WWF title back to Austin one night after [[King of the Ring#1999|King of the Ring]],<ref name=1999results/> and lost a [[Professional wrestling match types#First Blood Match|First Blood match]] at [[WWF Fully Loaded#1999|Fully Loaded]], his relationship with the McMahons dissolved and the Corporate Ministry disbanded.
Undertaker then began a storyline where he teamed with [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]] in a [[tag team]] known as The UnHoly Alliance, which held the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] twice. He was then scheduled to perform at [[WWE Unforgiven#1999|Unforgiven]], contending for the WWF Championship, but a groin injury knocked him out of action for the remainder of the year and part of the next. Onscreen, his absence was explained by The Undertaker quitting.
====American Bad Ass/Big Evil (2000–2003)====
[[Image:The Undertaker at WrestleMania XIX.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Undertaker as his "American Bad Ass" gimmick at [[WrestleMania XIX]].]]
Undertaker was due to return to action for [[WrestleMania 2000]], but a [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] biceps injury in February 2000 delayed his return until May 2000. When he returned at [[WWE Judgment Day#2000|Judgment Day]], Undertaker's gimmick was dramatically modified in line with the WWF's change to a more realistic approach. His gimmick became that of an intimidating biker, known as the "American Bad Ass",<ref name=bol21>{{cite book|title=The WrestleCrap Book of Lists!|last=Reynolds|first=R. D.|year=2007|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1550227629|pages=pp. 21}}</ref> and he began using the Last Ride ([[Powerbomb#Elevated powerbomb|Elevated Powerbomb]]) as his finishing move, as opposed to the Tombstone Piledriver, which had become synonymous with the Undertaker over the years. Upon his return, his storyline called for him to take out all the members of the [[McMahon-Helmsley Faction]], which quickly turned him face again. He also targeted their leader, [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]] Triple H. At [[King of the Ring#2000|King of the Ring]], Undertaker teamed with [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] and Kane to defeat the team of Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Vince McMahon.<ref name=pwi106/> Afterwards, he was [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booked]] to team with Kane to contend for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]]. They defeated [[Edge and Christian]], earning the right to face them the following week for the tag titles, which Edge and Christian retained. Kane [[List of professional wrestling slang#T|turned]] on The Undertaker by chokeslamming him twice on the August 14 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/2000.html|title=Raw 2000 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> This led to another match between the two at [[SummerSlam (2000)|SummerSlam]], which ended in a no-contest as Kane ran from the ring area after The Undertaker removed Kane's mask.<ref name=pwi106>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.106)</ref>
Undertaker was then booked to challenge [[Kurt Angle]] for the WWF Championship at [[Survivor Series (2000)|Survivor Series]].<ref name=pwi107>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.107)</ref> Angle, however, defeated Undertaker following interference from Kurt's real life brother [[Eric Angle]]. Undertaker demanded and was awarded a spot in the Six-Man [[Hell in a Cell]] match for the WWF Championship at [[WWE Armageddon#2000|Armageddon]]. Undertaker did not win the match, but did perform a move where he threw [[Solofa Fatu|Rikishi]] off the roof of the cell.<ref name=pwi107/>
In 2001, Undertaker reunited with Kane as the [[Brothers of Destruction]], challenging for the WWF Tag Team Championship once again. As part of the angle, they received a shot at the title at [[WWE No Way Out#2001|No Way Out]], facing Edge and Christian and then-champions the [[Dudley Boyz]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Tables match|Tables Match]]. The Brothers of Destruction dominated almost the entire match but were not the winners.<ref name=pwi107/> Undertaker was then booked to defeat Triple H at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]], where he improved his WrestleMania winning streak to 9-0.<ref name=legacy/> He and Kane continued a storyline that focused on Triple H, who formed a "surprise alliance" with WWF Champion [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]. After Austin and Triple H [[kayfabe]] injured Kane's arm, the Brothers of Destruction were granted an opportunity to face Triple H and Austin. After Undertaker and Kane acquired the WWF Tag Title from Edge and Christian,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/010419.html|title=SmackDown - April 19 2001 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Triple H pinned Kane after attacking him with a sledgehammer at [[WWE Backlash#2001|Backlash]], where the Brothers of Destruction [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropped]] the titles.<ref name=pwi108>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.108-109)</ref> With Kane injured, Undertaker feuded briefly Steve Austin for his WWF Championship, but at [[WWE Judgment Day#2001|Judgment Day]], Austin retained his title against the Undertaker.<ref name=pwi108/>
As part of the 2001 [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] [[List of professional wrestling slang#A|angle]], The Undertaker's next nemesis was [[Diamond Dallas Page]], who was obsessively following The Undertaker's wife Sara.<ref name=pwi108/> At [[SummerSlam (2001)|SummerSlam]], [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|WCW Tag Team Champions]] Undertaker and Kane defeated Page and his partner [[Chris Kanyon]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|steel cage match]] to win the WWF Tag Team Championship.<ref name=pwi108/> At [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]], Undertaker began a storyline where he took on [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]]'s Steve Austin, [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]], [[Rob Van Dam]], [[Shane McMahon]], and Kurt Angle while teaming up with Kane, the Rock, [[Chris Jericho]], and [[Paul Wight|the Big Show]]. Angle pinned the Undertaker due to interference by Austin.<ref name=pwi108/> After the Alliance was defeated, The Undertaker turned [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] once again by forcing commentator [[Jim Ross]] to kiss Vince McMahon's ass.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/011126.html|title=Raw - November 26 2001 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> This was the beginning of a new persona for the Undertaker, as he cut his long hair short and called himself "Big Evil". At [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]], the Undertaker was booked to defeat Van Dam to capture the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]].<ref name=pwi110>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.109-110)</ref>
[[Image:Biker Taker.jpg|left|thumb|175px|The Undertaker during his "''Big Evil''" persona]]
Undertaker's next angle began at the [[Royal Rumble (2002)|Royal Rumble]] in 2002 when [[Maven Huffman|Maven]] eliminated him by dropkicking him from behind. Subsequently, The Undertaker eliminated Maven in return and brutally assaulted him backstage.<ref name=pwi110/> On an episode of ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', The Rock mentioned The Undertaker's elimination at the Royal Rumble, angering The Undertaker. The Undertaker responded by costing The Rock the #1 contendership for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Undisputed Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|date=2003|pages=52}}</ref> The storyline continued when The Rock cost The Undertaker his match with Maven for the Hardcore Championship.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|date=2003|pages=56}}</ref> The two faced off at [[WWE No Way Out#2002|No Way Out]], where The Undertaker lost due to interference from Ric Flair.<ref name=pwi110/> This began a storyline with Flair, who declined a challenge to wrestle Undertaker at [[WrestleMania X8]],<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|date=2003|pages=79-80}}</ref> and, as a result, Undertaker assaulted his son [[David Flair]].<ref name=yearbook>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|date=2003|pages=80-81}}</ref> Ric Flair eventually accepted the match after the Undertaker threatened to inflict the same punishment on Flair's daughter.<ref name=yearbook/> A no disqualification stipulation was added to the match, and The Undertaker defeated Flair.<ref name=legacy/>
After the angle with Flair, Undertaker defeated [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] at [[WWE Backlash#2002|Backlash]] to win the #1 contendership for the [[Undisputed Championship|WWF Undisputed Championship]]. Later that night, his storyline called for him to help [[Hulk Hogan]] win his title match against the Undisputed Champion [[Triple H]].<ref name=pwi110/> The Undertaker was then booked to defeat Hogan for his fourth world championship at [[WWE Judgment Day#2002|Judgment Day]].<ref name=pwi111>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.110-111)</ref> Undertaker soon turned [[List of professional wrestling slang#F|face]] after a [[Ladder match]] with [[Jeff Hardy]], whose hand he raised after the match as a sign of respect.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|date=2003|pages=179-181}}</ref> Undertaker, however, [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropped]] the title at [[Vengeance (2002)|Vengeance]] to The Rock in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Triple Threat match]] that also involved Kurt Angle.<ref name=pwi111/> The Undertaker was then switched from ''Raw'' to ''SmackDown!'', alongside former ''Raw'' talent [[Brock Lesnar]], [[Chris Benoit]], and [[Eddie Guerrero]]. Undertaker was booked to challenge Lesnar in a title match at [[WWE Unforgiven#2002|Unforgiven]] that inevitably ended in a double-DQ.<ref name=pwi111/> Their feud carried over to [[WWE No Mercy#2002|No Mercy]] in a [[Hell in a Cell]] match. Undertaker performed in the match with a [[legit (professional wrestling)|legitimate]] broken hand and eventually lost to the champion.<ref name=pwi111/>
Undertaker then suffered a [[kayfabe]] injury after the Big Show threw him off the stage in Memphis, sparking a feud (in reality, he and his wife, Sara, were expecting their first child together)<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|date=2003|pages=288}}</ref> The Undertaker returned at the [[Royal Rumble (2003)|Royal Rumble]] in 2003.<ref name=pwi112>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.112-113)</ref> He immediately continued his feud with Big Show and defeated him via submission at [[No Way Out (2003)|No Way Out]] with a [[Professional wrestling holds#Triangle choke|triangle choke]]. [[Matt Bloom|A-Train]] entered the angle by attempting to attack Undertaker after the match, but [[Nathan Jones (wrestler)|Nathan Jones]] came to his aid.<ref name=pwi112/> The storyline resumed as Undertaker began to train Jones to wrestle, and the two were scheduled to fight Big Show and A-Train in a tag team match at [[WrestleMania XIX]].<ref name=legacy/> Jones, however, was removed prior to the match, making it a handicap match, which Undertaker won with the help of Jones.<ref name=pwi112/>
Over the remainder of the year, he was booked to have two [[WWE Championship]] opportunities. The first, on the September 4 ''SmackDown!'', against Kurt Angle, ended in a no contest, due to interference from Brock Lesnar.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030904.html|title=SmackDown-September 4 2003 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> The second, at [[WWE No Mercy#2003|No Mercy]], was a Biker Chain match between Undertaker and Lesnar, which Lesnar won with the help of Vince McMahon.<ref name=pwi114>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.113-114)</ref> This resulted in a storyline feud with McMahon, culminating at [[Survivor Series (2003)|Survivor Series]] where Undertaker lost a Buried Alive match against McMahon when Kane interfered.<ref name=pwi114/> The Undertaker disappeared for some time following the match, with Kane claiming that he was "dead and buried forever."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/031120.html| title=SmackDown-November 20 2003 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
====The Phenom (2004–2006)====
In the storyline leading up to [[WrestleMania XX]], Kane was haunted by vignettes proclaiming an Undertaker return. The first was during the [[Royal Rumble (2004)|Royal Rumble]] when Undertaker's bells tolled, distracting Kane and allowing [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]] to eliminate him.<ref name=pwi114/> At WrestleMania XX, the Undertaker, accompanied by [[Paul Bearer]] and in his "Deadman" persona, returned and defeated Kane.<ref name=pwi115>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.115-116)</ref> Three months later, Bearer was kidnapped by the Dudley Boyz at the direction of [[Paul Heyman]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040527.html|title=SmackDown-May 27 2004 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> who then took "control" of Undertaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040617.html|title=SmackDown-June 17 2004 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> The angle added a new twist at [[WWE The Great American Bash#2004|The Great American Bash]] where Undertaker was forced to fight a handicap match against the Dudleys, and if he lost, Heyman would bury Bearer in cement. The Undertaker won but buried Bearer anyway, explaining that Bearer was merely a liability now and that he had no use for him anymore.<ref name=pwi115/> Fans were later told that Bearer was "seriously injured," but in reality, he was simply removed from WWE programming due to health reasons. The Undertaker also remained a [[List of professional wrestling slang#F|face]].
After defeating the Dudley Boyz, Undertaker began a new storyline feud by challenging then WWE Champion [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL) to a title match at [[SummerSlam (2004)|SummerSlam]], which Undertaker lost when he disqualified himself.<ref name=pwi115/> At [[WWE No Mercy#2004|No Mercy]], Undertaker and JBL were [[List of professional wrestling slang#B|booked]] to compete in the first ever "Last Ride" match, although Undertaker lost after [[Jon Heidenreich|Heidenreich]] interfered.<ref name=pwi115/> After a brief program with Heidenreich,<ref name=pwi117>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.116-117)</ref> Undertaker turned his focus to the WWE Championship once again. Along with Eddie Guerrero and [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]], he challenged JBL to a championship rematch at [[WWE Armageddon#2004|Armageddon]] in a Fatal Four-Way, in which Undertaker was unsuccessful, again due to Heidenreich's interference.<ref name=pwi117/> This led to a Casket match between Undertaker and Heidenreich at the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|Royal Rumble]], where Undertaker sealed Heidenreich in a casket for the victory to end the storyline.<ref name=pwi117/>
[[Image:Undertakerentrance.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Undertaker making his entrance during an episode of [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|''SmackDown!'']].]]
Soon afterward, [[Randy Orton]] challenged The Undertaker to a match at [[WrestleMania 21]], in an angle where Orton claimed that he would end The Undertaker's WrestleMania winning streak.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050307.html|title=Raw-March 7 2005 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Even with help from his father [[Bob Orton, Jr.|"Cowboy" Bob Orton]], Randy failed, and the Undertaker improved his WrestleMania record to 13-0.<ref name=pwi117/> Following WrestleMania, Undertaker took a two month hiatus from wrestling after the birth of his second daughter in late May 2005. He returned for the June 16 episode of ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' but lost to JBL, thanks to interference from Randy Orton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050616.html |title=SmackDown-June 16 2005 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> After [[WWE The Great American Bash#2005|The Great American Bash]], Undertaker became #1 contender to the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]], a position that JBL felt he should have. As part of the feud, on the following ''SmackDown!'', Undertaker lost a #1 contender match against JBL, once again due to interference from Orton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050728.html|title=SmackDown-July 28 2005 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> With this, Undertaker resumed his feud with Orton. At [[SummerSlam (2005)|SummerSlam]], Orton defeated Undertaker in a WrestleMania rematch.<ref name=pwi118>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.118)</ref> The storyline intensified as the two taunted each other with caskets, leading to a casket match at [[WWE No Mercy#2005|No Mercy]], in which Undertaker lost to Randy and his father "Cowboy" Bob Orton.<ref name=pwi118/> After the match, the Ortons poured gasoline on the casket and set it afire. When the charred casket was opened, however, Undertaker had once again vanished. He returned at the [[Survivor Series (2005)|Survivor Series]], emerging from a burning casket.<ref name=pwi119>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.119)</ref> Undertaker returned to ''SmackDown!'' in early December to haunt Orton and set up a [[Hell in a Cell]] match at [[Armageddon (2005)|Armageddon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/051202.html|title=SmackDown-December 2 2005 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> After winning the match,<ref name=pwi119/> Calaway took a short hiatus from wrestling, presumably due to controversy associated with the match, as Bob Orton was diagnosed with [[hepatitis]] but was allowed to bleed during the match without Calaway knowing of his condition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.groupsrv.com/hobby/about262422.html|title=Undertaker Throws Fit Backstage, Orton involved, Hepatitis|accessdate=2007-09-02}}</ref>
In early 2006 at the [[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]], Undertaker returned during [[Kurt Angle]]'s celebration of his world title defense against [[Mark Henry]] on a horse drawn cart and [[kayfabe]] destroyed the ring with lightning bolts.<ref name=pwi119/> As part of their storyline feud, Undertaker lost his match with Angle at [[No Way Out (2006)|No Way Out]] after a thirty minute bout. Undertaker cornered Angle after the match, and after a stare down, told Angle that he had his number and that he was not finished with him yet.<ref name=pwi119/> The Undertaker had his No Way Out rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship against Angle on ''SmackDown!'' when Henry attacked Undertaker from behind, costing him the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060303.html|title=SmackDown-March 3 2006 Results| accessdate= 2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> This began an [[List of professional wrestling slang#A|angle]] between the duo, as Undertaker then challenged Henry to a Casket match at [[WrestleMania 22]], and Henry, like Orton a year before him, vowed to end Undertaker's WrestleMania winning streak.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060331.html|title=SmackDown-March 31 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Undertaker defeated Mark Henry to become 14-0 at WrestleMania, keeping his storyline undefeated streak alive.<ref name=legacy/> During a rematch on the next edition of ''SmackDown!'', [[The Great Khali]] made his debut and assaulted the Undertaker, signaling the end of one storyline and the beginning of a new one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060407.html|title=SmackDown-April 7 E2006 Results| accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
[[Image:Taker-WM22.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Undertaker retaining his undefeated streak at [[WrestleMania 22]].]]
The Undertaker was not heard from until the May 5 edition of ''SmackDown!'', as Theodore Long delivered a challenge from Undertaker to Khali for a match at [[Judgment Day (2006)|Judgment Day]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060505.html|title=SmackDown-May 5 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01| publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Undertaker was booked to cleanly lose to Khali,<ref name=pwi121>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.121)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2006/matches/23848443/results/|title=The Great Khali makes Undertaker rest in peace|date=May 21, 2006|author=Ed Williams III|accessdate=2008-01-05|publisher=WWE}}</ref> and he did not appear again until the July 4 edition of ''SmackDown!'' to accept Khali's challenge to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Punjabi Prison match|Punjabi Prison match]] at [[WWE The Great American Bash#2006|The Great American Bash]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060704.html|title=SmackDown-July 4 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Khali, however, was removed from the match due to elevated liver enzymes and was replaced by [[ECW Championship|ECW Champion]] [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]], over whom The Undertaker gained the victory. In the storyline, Teddy Long replaced Khali with Big Show as punishment for an attack on Undertaker shortly before the match.<ref name=pwi121/> Khali was then challenged to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Last Man Standing match|Last Man Standing match]] at [[SummerSlam (2006)|SummerSlam]] after interfering in Undertaker's match with World Heavyweight Champion [[Booker Huffman|King Booker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060804.html|title=SmackDown-August 4 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> Khali refused the challenge for SummerSlam, though Long made the match official for the August 18 episode of ''SmackDown!'' instead. Undertaker won the match by striking Khali with the steel stairs, delivering several chair shots, and finishing him with a chokeslam.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060818.html|title=SmackDown-April 18 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>
====Brothers of Destruction reunion (2006–2007)====
{{see also|Brothers of Destruction}}
The Undertaker's next match was with [[WWE United States Championship|WWE United States Champion]] [[Mr. Kennedy]] at [[No Mercy (2006)|No Mercy]] but was disqualified in the match after he hit Kennedy with the championship belt.<ref name=pwi122>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.122)</ref> On the November 3 edition of ''SmackDown!'', Undertaker reunited with [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]] to form the [[Brothers of Destruction]] for the first time in five years, defeating the reluctant opposition team of Mr. Kennedy and [[Montel Vontavious Porter|MVP]], with whom Kane was feuding with at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/061103.html|title=SmackDown-November 3 2006 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref> As part of the angle, Kennedy defeated Undertaker in a [[Professional wrestling match types#First Blood match|First Blood match]] at [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]] after interference from MVP,<ref name=pwi122/> but finally defeated Kennedy in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Container-based variations|Last Ride match]] at [[WWE Armageddon#2006|Armageddon]] by delivering a chokeslam and Tombstone on the roof of the hearse, sticking him in the back, and driving the hearse out of the ring.<ref name=pwi122/> The two continued to [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] into 2007 as Kennedy cost Undertaker two World Heavyweight Championship opportunities for a championship match at the [[Royal Rumble (2007)|Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070112.html|title=SmackDown-January 12 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-05-01|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref><ref name=pwi130>2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.130)</ref>
====Pursuit of the World Heavyweight Championship (2007–present)====
Undertaker won his first Royal Rumble match after [[Shawn Michaels]] attempted [[Superkick|Sweet Chin Music]], and Undertaker ducked and lifted Michaels over the top rope for the victory.<ref name=pwi130/> He became the first man to enter the Rumble at number 30 and win the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/matches/35535102/results/|publisher=WWE.com|title=A Phenom-enal Rumble|author=Louie Dee|date=2007-01-28|accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> He then began an angle with [[Dave Batista|Batista]], whom he defeated at [[WrestleMania 23]] to win his first World Heavyweight Championship. On the next ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', Batista entered the ring and declared that he wanted a rematch in the form of a [[Professional wrestling match types#Last Man Standing match|Last Man Standing match]] at [[Backlash (2007)|Backlash]]. The rematch ended in a draw when neither man was able to answer the ten-count after Batista speared Undertaker off the entrance stage, causing the steel pillars to fall on top of the two men, resulting in the Undertaker retaining the Championship. On the May 11 ''SmackDown!'' taping, Undertaker had a [[Professional wrestling match types#Cages|Steel Cage match]] with Batista that was booked to result in a draw when both men's feet touched the floor at the same time. After the match, [[Mark Henry]] returned and assaulted the defenseless Undertaker. Immediately after the assault, [[Adam Copeland|Edge]] cashed in his [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]] title shot, and Undertaker [[List of professional wrestling slang#D|dropped]] the World Heavyweight Championship to Edge. As Undertaker laid in the ring, druids appeared and carried him to the backstage area. In reality, Calaway had suffered an arm injury that required surgery, but WWE did not want to break the Undertaker's character by having him forfeit the title. During Calaway's [[rehabilitation]], Henry [[List of professional wrestling slang#S|squashed]] local [[List of professional wrestling slang#J|jobbers]] and bragged about his assault on Undertaker, until vignettes began playing promoting Undertaker's return.
The Undertaker returned at [[Unforgiven (2007)|Unforgiven]], successfully defeating Henry with a [[Powerbomb#Elevated powerbomb|Last Ride]] from the corner and again on ''SmackDown!'' two weeks later with a [[chokeslam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/|title=Unforgiven 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-09-16|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Batista and Undertaker re-ignited their storyline feud at [[Cyber Sunday (2007)|Cyber Sunday]] where the fans chose [[professional wrestling match types#Special referee|guest referee]] [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]], but Batista retained the world title after two [[Powerbomb#Sitout powerbomb|Batista Bomb]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/october/cyber2007.htm|title=Cyber Sunday 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-11-19|publisher=PWWEW.net}}</ref> They battled again inside [[Hell in a Cell]] at [[Survivor Series (2007)|Survivor Series]] where Edge returned and interfered by giving Undertaker a [[Professional wrestling double-team maneuvers#Co-chair-to|con-chair-to]] and pulling an [[unconsciousness|unconscious]] Batista on top of Undertaker for the pinfall to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/matches/4334964/results/|title=On the Edge of Hell|accessdate=2007-11-19|date=2007-11-18|publisher=WWE}}</ref> In response to this, Undertaker delivered a [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone piledriver|Tombstone piledriver]] to [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Smackdown brand authorities|General Manager]] [[Vickie Guerrero]], on the next ''SmackDown!'', in storyline, sending her to the hospital. Returning Assistant-GM [[Theodore Long]] declared a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Triple Threat match]] for the title at [[Armageddon (2007)|Armageddon]]. Edge won the match by pinning Batista, who had been given a Tombstone piledriver which was followed by Undertaker being hit with a chair while he attempted the pinfall.
[[Image:Undertaker-Gogoplata-Edge.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Undertaker locks [[Adam Copeland|Edge]] in the [[Gogoplata]].]]
On the [[January 4]] [[2008]] edition of ''SmackDown!'', the Undertaker competed in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Beat the Clock match|Beat the Clock challenge]], attempting to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at the [[Royal Rumble (2008)|Royal Rumble]] against Mark Henry with [[Matthew Kaye|Matt Striker]] as the Special Guest Referee. Undertaker eventually hit Henry with a chokeslam and pinned him, but Striker pulled his hand away and exited the ring before the three-count, resulting in The Undertaker not beating the clock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/ppv/wwf/december/2007.htm|title=Armageddon 2007 Results|accessdate=2008-01-05|publisher=PWWEW.net}}</ref> Later in the night the Undertaker, along with Batista, interfered in [[Rey Mysterio, Jr.|Rey Mysterio]]'s match, helping him defeat the champion himself, Edge, to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. But despite this, Mysterio failed to defeat Edge at the Royal Rumble. Undertaker, in a complete turn from his win in 2007, drew number 1 and was eliminated by the man who he eliminated for the win the year prior, Shawn Michaels.
A month later at [[No Way Out (2008)|No Way Out]], Undertaker defeated Batista, [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]], [[The Great Khali]], [[Montel Vontavious Porter]], and [[Nelson Frazier, Jr.|Big Daddy V]] in a SmackDown/ECW [[Elimination Chamber]], to become the number one contender for Edge's World Heavyweight Championship at [[WrestleMania XXIV]]. He defeated Edge at WrestleMania with his [[gogoplata]] submission hold, to win his second World Heavyweight title and elevate his undefeated streak at [[WrestleMania]] to 16-0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6364982/results/|title=No Way Out Match results|accessdate=2008-02-17 |author=Louie Dee|date=2008-02-17}}</ref> In a WrestleMania rematch, The Undertaker defeated Edge once again at [[Backlash (2008)|Backlash]] to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/matches/6347966/results/|accessdate=2008-05-02|title=Second verse, same as the first|last=Dee|first=Louie|publisher=WWE|date=2008-04-27}}</ref> On the [[May 2]] [[2008]] episode of ''Friday Night SmackDown!'', [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General managers 2|SmackDown! General Manager]], [[Vickie Guerrero]], stripped The Undertaker of the World Heavyweight Championship and banned his submission choke hold, the gogoplata, for the safety of the SmackDown superstars, some of whom were [[kayfabe]] injured by the choke hold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/articles/6445718/titleturmoil|accessdate=2008-05-02|title=Tuitle Turmoil|last=Dee|first=Louie|publisher=WWE|date=2008-05-02}}</ref> The Undertaker battled Edge for the title at [[Judgment Day (2008)|Judgment Day]], which he won but could not keep the title because of the count out victory. The two faced each other again for the championship at [[One Night Stand (2008)|One Night Stand]] in a [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match]], which Undertaker lost. As a result of the pre-match stipulation, Undertaker was ([[kayfabe]]) [[Professional wrestling match types#Loser Leaves Town match|banished]] from the WWE.
<!-- DO NOT ADD WEEK BY WEEK EVENTS, RUMOURS OR SPECULATION ABOUT HIS RETURN. THIS INCLUDES ANNOUNCED MATCHES THAT HAVE NOT YET OCCURRED. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A NEWS SITE BUT AN ONLINE ENCYCLOPAEDIA. Please see the articles "Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not" and "Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles" for more information. -->
==In wrestling==
[[Image:UndertakerTombstone.jpg|thumb|175px|right|The Undertaker about to perform the [[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone Piledriver|Tombstone Piledriver]] on [[Ric Flair]] at ''[[WrestleMania X8]]''.]]
[[Image:Undertaker oldschool.jpg|175px|thumb|The Undertaker performs ''Old School'' (an [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Arm twist ropewalk chop|arm twist ropewalk chop]]) on [[Jon Heidenreich|Heidenreich]].]]
*'''Finishing moves'''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
*'''As The Undertaker'''
**'''[[Chokeslam]]'''<ref name="WWEProfile" /><ref name=owwprofile/>
**'''[[Professional wrestling holds#Gogoplata|Gogoplata]]''' – 2007–2008
**'''''Last Ride''''' ([[Powerbomb#Elevated powerbomb|Elevated powerbomb]])<ref name="WWEProfile" /><ref name=owwprofile/> – 2000–present
**'''''[[Headstone|Tombstone]] Piledriver''''' ([[Piledriver (professional wrestling)#Tombstone Piledriver|Kneeling belly to belly piledriver]])<ref name="WWEProfile" /><ref name=owwprofile/>
**'''[[Professional wrestling holds#Triangle choke|Triangle choke]]'''<ref name=owwprofile/> – 2003–present; Used on rare occasions from 2004–present
*'''As "Mean" Mark Callous'''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**'''''Callous Clutch''''' ([[Professional wrestling holds#Clawhold|Jaw clutch]])
**'''[[Professional wrestling attacks#Heart Punch|Heart punch]]'''<ref name=owwprofile/>
*'''Signature moves'''
<!--Do NOT change the order of the moves, as they comply with Wikipedia's Manual of Style-->
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Corner clothesline|Corner clothesline]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Fujiwara armbar|Fujiwara armbar]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**[[Leg drop#Guillotine leg drop|Guillotine leg drop onto an apron-bound opponent]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Flying clothesline|Leaping flying clothesline]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**''Old School'' ([[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Arm twist ropewalk chop|Arm twist ropewalk chop]])<ref name=owwprofile/>
**[[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Suicide|Over the top rope suicide dive]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wrestlemania22/matches/22203223/results/|accessdate=2008-07-15|title=Undertaker def. Mark Henry (Casket Match)|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
**[[Professional wrestling attacks#Body avalanche|Running corner body splash]]
**[[DDT (professional wrestling)#Running DDT|Running DDT]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**[[Leg drop|Running jumping leg drop]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**[[Powerslam#Sidewalk slam|Sidewalk slam]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**[[Professional wrestling throws#Snake Eyes|Snake eyes]] followed by a running [[Professional wrestling attacks#Big boot|big boot]]<ref name=owwprofile/>
**''Takin' Care of Business'' ([[Professional wrestling holds#Dragon sleeper|Standing dragon sleeper]])<ref name=owwprofile/> – 2002–2004
**[[Professional wrestling holds#Wrist lock|Wrist–lock hold]] followed by multiple [[Professional wrestling attacks#Shoulder block|shoulder blocks]]
*'''[[Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers]]'''
**[[Skandor Akbar|General Skandor Akbar]]<ref name="wrestling-caricatures">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-caricatures.com/id69.html|title=The Undertaker|publisher=Wrestling-Caricatures|accessdate=2008-03-31}}</ref><ref name="accelerator"/>
**[[Percy Pringle|Paul Bearer]]<ref name="wrestling-caricatures"/><ref name="accelerator"/>
**[[Paul Heyman|Paul E. Dangerously]]<ref name="wrestling-caricatures"/><ref name="accelerator"/>
**[[Theodore Long]]<ref name="wrestling-caricatures"/><ref name="accelerator"/>
**[[Bruce Prichard|Brother Love]]<ref name="wrestling-caricatures"/><ref name="accelerator"/>
**[[Dutch Mantell]]<ref name="wrestling-caricatures"/><ref name="accelerator"/>
**[[Bruno Lauer|Downtown Bruno]]<ref name="wrestling-caricatures"/><ref name="accelerator"/>
*'''[[Nickname]]s'''
**'''The Phenom'''<ref name="WWEProfile" /><ref name=bol21/>
**'''The Deadman'''<ref name="WWEProfile" /><ref name=bol21/>
**American Bad Ass<ref name=bol21/>
**Booger Red<ref name=bol21/>
**The Lord of Darkness<ref>http://www.wwe.com/inside/listthis/maniamatches/maniamatches1</ref>
**The Demon from Death Valley<ref>http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/jimross/sotwarchive/021907sotw</ref>
**The Conscience of the WWE <ref>http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/jimross/sotwarchive/101206sotw</ref>
*'''[[Music in professional wrestling|Theme music]]'''
**[[WWF Fan Club Tapes#WWF Superstars Theme Music IV (1992)|"The Grim Reaper"]] by [[Jim Johnston (composer)|Jim Johnston]]
**[[WWF Full Metal|"Graveyard Symphony"]] by Jim Johnston
**[[WWF The Music, Vol. 3|"Dark Side"]] by Jim Johnston
**[[WWF The Music, Vol. 4|"Ministry"]] by Jim Johnston
**[[American Bad Ass|"American Bad Ass"]] by [[Kid Rock]]
**[[Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)|"Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)"]] by [[Limp Bizkit]]
**[[WWE Anthology#Now!|"Dead Man"]] by Jim Johnston
**[[WWE Anthology#Now!|"You're Gonna Pay"]] by Jim Johnston
**'''[[RAW Greatest Hits: The Music|"Rest in Peace"]] by Jim Johnston'''
==Championships and accomplishments==
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
**[[PWI Feud of the Year]] (1991) <small>with [[Warrior (wrestler)|The Ultimate Warrior]]</small><ref>{{cite web|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners: Feud of the Year|work=Wrestling Information Archive|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwifoty.htm|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
**[[PWI Match of the Year]] (1998) <small>vs. [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] at [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring 1998]], [[June 28]] [[1998]]</small><ref>{{cite web|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners: Match of the Year|work=Wrestling Information Archive|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwimoty.htm|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
**PWI ranked him # '''2''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated#PWI 500|PWI 500]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2002|work=Wrestling Information Archive|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50002.htm|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
*'''[[United States Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-uh.html USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
*'''[[World Class Championship Wrestling|World Class Wrestling Association]]'''
**[[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship|WCWA Texas Heavyweight Championship]] ([[NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship#Title History|1 time]])<ref name="wcwa"/>
*'''[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
**[[WCW World Tag Team Championship|WCW Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Tag Team Champions|1 time]]) – with [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]]<ref>Won title during [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|The Invasion]] and also held the WWF World Tag Team Championship at the same time</small><br /></ref><ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wcw/wcw-t.html WCW World Tag Team Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
**[[WWE Championship|WWF/E Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|4 times]])<ref>Fourth reign was as [[WWE Undisputed Championship|WWE Undisputed Champion]]</small></ref><ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwf-h.html WWWF/WWF/WWE World Heavyweight Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
**[[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|1 time]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwf-hc.html WWF/WWE Hardcore Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
**[[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWF Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|6 times]]) – with [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] (1), [[Paul Wight|The Big Show]] (2), [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] (1) and Kane (2)<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwf-t.html WWWF/WWF/WWE World Tag Team Title history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
**[[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE)|2 times]])<ref>[http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwe/wwe-world-h.html World Heavyweight Title (WWE Smackdown!) history] At wrestling-titles.com</ref>
**[[Royal Rumble]] ([[Royal Rumble (2007)|2007]])
**Undefeated (16-0) at [[WrestleMania]]
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards]]'''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|1990]])
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Heel|Best Heel]] (1991)
**Best Gimmick (1991-1994)
**[[Dave Meltzer#Rating system|5 Star Match]] <small>vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] at [[WWE Bad Blood#1997|Badd Blood]], [[October 5]] [[1997]] in the first [[Hell in a Cell]] match)</small>
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Overrated|Most Overrated]] (2001)
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler|Readers' Least Favorite Wrestler]] (2001)
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#2004 inductees|Class of 2004]])
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (2007) <small>vs. [[Dave Batista|Batista]]</small>
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable" align="right" border="1"
|+ '''WrestleMania winning streak'''
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Wrestler:
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|WrestleMania:
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Year:
!style="background: #e3e3e3;"|Notes:
|-
|[[Jimmy Snuka]]
|[[WrestleMania VII|VII]]
|1991
|<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|[[Jake Roberts]]
|[[WrestleMania VIII|VIII]]
|1992
|<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|[[Jorge Gonzáles|Giant Gonzales]]
|[[WrestleMania IX|IX]]
|1993
|{{small|Won via disqualification}}<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|[[King Kong Bundy]]
|[[WrestleMania XI|XI]]
|1995
|<ref name=pwi92/>
|-
|[[Kevin Nash|Diesel]]
|[[WrestleMania XII|XII]]
|1996
|<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|[[Sycho Sid]]
|[[WrestleMania 13|13]]
|1997
|{{small|For the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match|No Disqualification match]]}}<ref name=pwi98/>
|-
|[[Glen Jacobs|Kane]]
|[[WrestleMania XIV|XIV]]
|1998
|<ref name=pwi100/>
|-
|[[Ray Traylor|The Big Boss Man]]
|[[WrestleMania XV|XV]]
|1999
|{{small|[[Hell in a Cell]] match}}<ref>{{cite web|title=WrestleMania XV|work=Pro Wrestling History|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#XV|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
|-
|[[Triple H]]
|[[WrestleMania X-Seven|X-Seven]]
|2001
|<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|[[Ric Flair]]
|[[WrestleMania X8|X8]]
|2002
|{{small|[[Professional wrestling match types#No Disqualification match|No Disqualification match]]}}<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|[[Paul Wight|The Big Show]] & [[Matt Bloom|A-Train]]
|[[WrestleMania XIX|XIX]]
|2003
|{{small|[[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|Handicap match]]}}<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|Kane
|[[WrestleMania XX|XX]]
|2004
|<ref name=pwi115/>
|-
|[[Randy Orton]]
|[[WrestleMania 21|21]]
|2005
|<ref name=pwi117/>
|-
|[[Mark Henry]]
|[[WrestleMania 22|22]]
|2006
|{{small|[[Professional wrestling match types#Container-based variations|Casket match]]}}<ref name=legacy/>
|-
|[[Dave Batista|Batista]]
|[[WrestleMania 23|23]]
|2007
|{{small|For the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]]}}<ref>{{cite web|title=WrestleMania 23|work=Pro Wrestling History|url= http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/mania.html#23|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
|-
|[[Adam Copeland|Edge]]
|[[WrestleMania XXIV|XXIV]]
|2008
|{{small|For the World Heavyweight Championship}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/matches/6364982/results/|title=No Way Out Match results|accessdate=2008-02-17 |author=Louie Dee|date=2008-02-17}}</ref>
|}
{{col-end}}
==Personal life==
Mark Calaway is the son of Frank and Catherine Calaway, and is one of five brothers with David, Michael, Paul and Timothy. He graduated from [[Waltrip High School]] in 1983, where he was a member of the [[basketball]] team.<ref name=HS>{{cite web|url=http://hs.houstonisd.org/WaltripHS/TriviaFolder/trivia.htm|title=Calaway's High School trivia page}}</ref> Calaway first married Jodi Lynn in 1989, and they had a son Gunner, born in 1993, before the marriage ended in 1999. Calaway met his second wife, Sara, at a WWF [[autograph]] signing in [[San Diego, California]].<ref>[http://people.famouswhy.com/sara_calaway/ Sara Calaway]</ref> He eventually married her in a ceremony in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]] on [[July 21]] [[2000]]. Mark and Sara have two daughters together: Chasey, born in 2002, and Gracie, born in 2005. <!-- http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/u/undertaker.html The Undertaker at Online World of Wrestling-->
As a wedding gift to Sara, Calaway had his wife's name [[tattoo]]ed onto his throat and has said this is the most painful tattoo he has ever had. In 2007, this tattoo started being removed from all WWE photos showing Undertaker's throat, most notably on the cover of the November issue of WWE Magazine and in pictures throughout. Undertaker has several other tattoos: a gravedigger, which he refers to as "Original Deadman", skulls, a castle, and a wizard. When talking about his body art, he has said that there is kind of a medieval thing going-on on his arms. He also has a dancing skeleton on the back of his neck. He also has a tattoo on his stomach that says BSK Pride<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/me4/wrestlertattoos/undertaker.html Pictures of The Undertaker's tattoos.]</ref>, which means Brotherhood of Solitary Knights.<ref name="wrestling-caricatures"/>
Aside from wrestling, Calaway has many hobbies and interests. He collects [[Harley-Davidson]] and [[West Coast Choppers]] [[motorcycle]]s and purchased his first brand new motorcycle after defeating [[Hulk Hogan]] for the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] at the [[Survivor Series (1991)|1991 Survivor Series]]. Calaway has also had a custom motorcycle built for him by [[Jesse G. James|Jesse James]], the founder of West Coast Choppers. He is a massive fan of [[Nick Cave]] and all his musical endeavors ([[The Birthday Party (band)|The Birthday Party]] and [[Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds|The Bad Seeds]]). He also enjoys listening to bands like [[ZZ Top]], [[AC/DC]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Black Sabbath]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Metallica]], [[Iron Maiden]] and [[Black Label Society]]. Calaway also enjoys [[country music]] and [[blues music]].{{Fact|date=November 2007}}
As an avid boxing fan, Calaway was also the person who carried the [[Flag of the United States]] while leading Team [[Manny Pacquiao|Pacquiao]] to the ring during the Pacquiao vs. Velázquez fight in 2005.<ref>[http://www.wrestleview.com/news2005/1125678703.shtml The Undertaker to lead Pacquiao's entourage]</ref> This was also confirmed by fellow wrestler [[Dave Batista|Batista]] in a televised interview for the [[Philippines|Philippine]] news program [[TV Patrol World]]. Calaway is also an avid [[Mixed Martial Arts]] fan and has attended several [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] shows.
As The Undertaker had been absent from the WWE due to his 2007 arm injury, Calaway began getting into real estate with his partner Scott Everhart. Calaway and Everhart finished construction on a $2.7m building in [[Loveland, Colorado]]. The building, filled with upscale office space, is named the "The Calahart", a portmanteau of their last names. Calaway has said that being a [[Superstar (celebrity)|TV star]] certainly helps him in the real estate business, and he was quoted saying "by no means does it seal the deal, but people do want to sit down and talk with you. It helps us get to meet a lot of people and know what we’re trying to get accomplished."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1182096452.shtml|title=The Undertakr gets involved in real estate venture; his return to WWE|accessdate=2007-08-21|date=2007-06-17}}</ref>
Calaway has also established [http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/zeusfund The Zeus Compton Calaway Save the Animals] fund at the [[Texas A&M| Texas A&M's]] [[Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences| Veterinary Teaching Hospital]] to help pay for lifesaving treatments for large-breed dogs. The fund was established as a memorial to his beloved [[Mastiff]] Zeus, who died in 2004.
==Other media==
Calaway appeared as a guest star in the 1991 film ''[[Suburban Commando]]''.<ref>[http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/movies/title/0,,1868784,00.html Suburban Commando at ARTISTdirect.com]</ref> He also appeared on episodes of ''[[Poltergeist: The Legacy]]''<ref>[http://olympia.fortunecity.com/undertaker/692/poltergeistpics.html Poltergeist: The Legacy]</ref> and ''[[Celebrity Deathmatch]]'' in 1999. His character had also influenced the Bollywood film [[Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi]] in which [[Brian Lee]] (who played the false Undertaker in 1994) starred as the Undertaker.
A number of [[spin-off]]s have covered The Undertaker's character. [[Chaos! Comics]] released an [[Undertaker (comic book)|''Undertaker'' comic]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_19990919/ai_n9959543?lstpn=article_results&lstpc=search&lstpr=external&lstprs=other&lstwid=1&lstwn=search_results&lstwp=body_middle Professional wrestling slams into comics]</ref> In 2005, [[Pocket Books]] released a novel, ''[[Journey into Darkness]]'', which dealt largely with [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]] but also featured Undertaker as his brother, although they are not related in real life.<ref>[http://www.textbookx.com/product_detail.php?upc=9781416507475&type=book&affiliate=froogle Journey Into Darkness The Unauthorized History Of Kane at TexbookX.com]</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
*{{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling’s historical cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=2007}}
*{{cite book|author=Stone Cold Steve Austin and Jim Ross|title=The Stone Cold Truth|publisher=Pocket Books|date=2003|isbn=0743477200}}
==External links==
{{Portal|Professional wrestling|break=yes}}
{{wikiquote}}{{commons|Category:Mark Calaway|The Undertaker}}
*[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/wwealumni/undertaker WWE alumni profile]
*{{imdb name|id=0130587|name=Mark Calaway}}
*[http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/u/undertaker.html The Undertaker at Online World of Wrestling]
*[http://prowrestling.wikia.com/wiki/Personas_of_The_Undertaker Personas of the Undertaker article at Wrestling Wikia]
{{Persondata
|NAME= Mark Calaway
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=The Undertaker
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Professional wrestler
|DATE OF BIRTH=[[March 24]] [[1965]]
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Houston, Texas]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Undertaker, The}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:California State University, Long Beach alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Houston, Texas]]
[[Category:University of St. Thomas (Houston) alumni]]
[[Category:Fictional cult leaders]]
[[ar:الأندرتيكر]]
[[ast:Mark Calaway]]
[[bar:Mark Calaway]]
[[bg:Гробаря]]
[[ca:Mark Calaway]]
[[cs:Undertaker]]
[[da:The Undertaker]]
[[de:Mark Calaway]]
[[es:Mark Calaway]]
[[fr:Mark Calaway]]
[[ko:언더테이커]]
[[it:Mark Calaway]]
[[he:מארק קאלאווי]]
[[lt:Mark Calaway]]
[[nl:Mark Calaway]]
[[ja:ジ・アンダーテイカー]]
[[no:Mark Calaway]]
[[pl:Mark William Calaway]]
[[pt:The Undertaker]]
[[ro:The Undertaker]]
[[ru:Гробовщик (рестлер)]]
[[fi:The Undertaker]]
[[sv:Mark Calaway]]
[[vi:The Undertaker]]
[[tr:The Undertaker]]