52 years ago today, Mark William Calaway was born in Houston, Texas. Little did his mother know on March 24th, 1965, that she had just given birth to one of the greatest professional wrestlers in the history of the universe.
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Young Mark Calaway began his wrestling career with World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in 1984. After wrestling for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) as “Mean Mark” Callous from 1989 to 1990, he signed with the then World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 1990 and became reborn once and forever since as The Undertaker.
Best known for The Streak, an unprecedented run of 21 straight victories at WWE’s Showcase of The Immortals, WrestleMania, he sustained his first loss at WrestleMania XXX to Brock Lesnar. The Phenom defeated Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Champion in 1991, and has won the WWF/WWE Championship four times and the WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship three times. He also won the 2007 Royal Rumble.
While you can argue where The Undertaker ranks on the all-time list of WWE Superstars, he is undoubtedly the greatest professional wrestling character in this history of the business. Had anyone but Mark Callaway been given the assignment of being an old west mystical undertaker, the gimmick could have died out by the mid-90s.
Year after year, The Undertaker has come back to give us the same kind of goosebump inducing ‘Mania moments that we fell in love with as children. This year, The Deadman will take on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33 in what many have speculated could be his “last ride.”
Today, on the birth of Mark Calaway, we want to celebrate his 52 years on the earth by celebrating his 27 year career as the WWE’s Phenom. Click through the slides to see just how much Taker has evolved since his debut in 1990.
1990
The Undertaker made his first televised appearance at Survivor Series in 1990 as Ted DiBiase’s mystery team member.
1991
With the help of a distraction from Paul Bearer and Ric Flair, The Undertaker delivered a Tombstone Piledriver to Hulk Hogan on top of a chair to capture his first World Championship. At the time, The Undertaker was the youngest WWE champion ever.
1992
Oh that’s just The Undertaker riding to the ring at SummerSlam on the back of a hearse for his match against the Ugandan giant Kamala.
1993
Who could forget The Undertaker’s epic battle with Giant Gonzalez? Actually, let’s all forget that.
1994
Not one, but two Undertaker’s in 1994. The impostor, played by Brian Lee, would be vanquished at Summerslam.
1995
Suffering from a legitimate eye injury, Taker would sport the Phantom of the WWE look with this super cool mask.
1996
1996 saw the first major reincarnation of The Undertaker. Taker faced Mankind at Survivor Series and was lowered to the ground from the rafters with a new look, clad in black leather.
1997
Enter the lord of darkness era in 1997, which also saw the debut of his demonic half-brother Kane. The Undertaker won his second WWE Championship in 1997, taking the title from Sycho Sid at WrestleMania.
1998
More Kane feuds and more battle with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, but hey check out that eye brow piercing!
1999
Oh, that’s just Stephanie McMahon being kidnapped and betrothed to the leader of the Ministry of Darkness; a stable that would also feature The Brood and the APA.
2000
The Undertaker’s biggest transformation came at the turn of the century when we has reborn as the American Bad Ass, which, actually may have been his scariest gimmick of them all, considering he rode to the ring on his motorcycle to either Kid Rock or Limp Bizkit songs.
2001
When Metallica cuts their hair, you know it’s ok for you to do the same.
2002
Taker won the WWE title (then the Undisputed title) for the third time at Judgement Day in 2002 by defeating Hulk Hogan (again).
2003
Kane and Mr. McMahon killed the “Big Evil” Undertaker character at Survivor Series in 2003, dumping a gigantic pile of dirt on top of the Undertaker in a buried alive match.
2004
The Deadman was back in his original form to vanquish Kane at WrestleMania.
2005
The “Legend Killer” Randy Orton fell victim to Taker at this year’s ‘Mania, but would get his revenge at SummerSlam.
2006
Taker faced off with Mark Henry in a casket match at this year’s WrestleMania. I’ll give you one guess as to who one.
2007
10 years ago Taker had arguably the best year of his career, winning the Royal Rumble as the 30th entrant, then defeated Batista at WrestleMania to capture the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career.
2008
Taker capped off an epic feud with Edge with a Hell in a Cell victory at SummerSlam.
2009
Possibly the greatest match in WrestleMania history took place this year when Taker took on Mr. WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels.
2010
The rematch of all WrestleMania rematches came when The Deadman sent HBK off into retirement.
2011
At this point in his career, The Undertaker was being used almost exclusively for WrestleMania – but he still delivered must-watch performances each year. At WrestleMania XXVII, Taker kept his streak alive by beating Triple H but was so badly damaged that he couldn’t leave the ring under his own power.
2012
With the hairline betraying him, Taker switched to a new shorter cut look for his rematch with Triple H. Also, his legendary duster jacket got a hood and a lot spikier.
2013
Finally moving on from his DX ‘Mania storylines, Taker would defeat CM Punk in Punk’s last ‘Mania match. This was also the year the legendary Paul Bearer would pass away.
2014
The 1 in 21-1.
2015
While many thought Lesnar had retired the Deadman at the previous Mania, Taker was back with a new do and this amazing photo that just keeps on giving.
2016
Still unsure why this Hell in a Cell match with Shane O Mac made sense, but it was awesome.
2017
Will this be Taker’s last ride? Is it time to hand over the keys to the yard? Never count a Deadman out. Especially at WrestleMania.
