While many suspected the end of the road was coming for The Undertaker, his farewell moment at the end of WrestleMania was so emotional that some of the toughest guys in the WWE were fighting back tears. The New Day joined “TMZ Sports” to reveal what went down behind the scenes as the Deadman laid down his gear and revealed a truly shocking admission. Big E told TMZ that no one was told that the retirement caught the entire locker room off guard because no one knew what Taker was going to do after the match. He said the moment had the WWE holding back the tears and revealed that Corey Graves had to bite his lip on the broadcast to keep from crying.
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E also told TMZ that it’s hard not to be sad about the WWE legend hanging it up. “In a way you want to celebrate his career, but in the end, you want to mourn the loss.”
While you can argue where The Undertaker ranks on the all-time list, 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 grave digger, 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; which made last night’s event so surreal.
But The New Day weren’t the only ones to pay tribute to Taker. Click Stars Slideshow to see how some other WWE Legends and current superstars took to Twitter to pay emotional tributes to the greatness of The Undertaker. And it’s ok if you cry a little. I did.
Ric Flair
My Man Taker, the biggest Star in the History of the WWE…Goes out in style like he always does. You make us all look weak in comparison.
โ Ric Flairยฎ (@RicFlairNatrBoy) April 3, 2017
Mick Foley
#ThankYouUndertaker – my life has been so much better for having known you.#Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/earZXZ9uYF
โ Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) April 3, 2017
Jim Ross
Humbling to think that I helped broadcast #TheUndertaker last match. I’ve never received a bigger honor. @WWE #thankyoutaker
โ Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 3, 2017
Jerry Lawler
There will never be another quite like him. Thank you Taker! pic.twitter.com/FFQxvXOuNY
โ Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) April 3, 2017
Austin Aries
For more reasons than I could ever list, #ThankYouTaker #Wrestlemania
โ Austin Healy Aries (@AustinAries) April 3, 2017
Sasha Banks
Truly a legend #ThankYouTaker
โ notorious SB (@SashaBanksWWE) April 3, 2017
The Miz
If there’s a dry eye at #Wrestlemania ur a bigger man then me. #ThankYouTaker
โ The Miz (@mikethemiz) April 3, 2017