
The Undertaker Explains Why He Can Never Wrestle Again
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker has definitively put an end to any speculation about a potential in-ring return, stating that there is no amount of money that could convince him to have "one more match."
He explained that he can no longer perform at the required level and that getting back in the ring would "jeopardize the legacy" he worked for three decades to build.
Since his Boneyard Match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, fans have consistently hoped for one final appearance from "The Phenom." The Undertaker, whose real name is Mark Calaway, has been adamant that his in-ring career is over.
No Ridiculous Offer for The Undertaker
On the latest episode of his podcast, Six Feet Under with The Undertaker (H/T to WrestlingNews.co), his guest and fellow Hall of Famer, Bubba Ray Dudley, asked him directly if there was any "ridiculous offer" that could persuade him to put on his iconic hat and coat for one last time. The Undertaker's response was an unequivocal "No."
Bubba Ray Dudley asked, "Is there that stupid number? Is that the ridiculous offer that somebody could come to you with and go, 'Here, put the jacket and the hat on one last time'?"
The Undertaker responded, "No. I don't think...look, the only way that I could put the hat and the coat back on is I'd have to get back in the ring. And I can't do that because that also jeopardizes the legacy. As much as I have here [points to head] and as much as I have here [points to heart], I know that there's not enough left in the tank to do that."
The Undertaker recovers during his fight against Brock Lesner at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City.
The Undertaker recovers during his fight against Brock Lesner at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City.Protecting The Undertaker's Legacy
He further explained that when he retired, he decided to retire the "Phenom" persona with the hat and coat. He has since embraced the "American Badass" side of his character for his public appearances.
More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
"When I retired, I actually retired half of my character, the hat, the coat, that whole side of the Undertaker I retired. I kind of retained the American Badass kind of part of it, the one that actually can relate to people. And so that helps me, because I will not jeopardize that part of my legacy. And it frustrates a lot of people who want to do business with me because they want that... And the fact now that I'm at a point where I absolutely will not put it back on... That's how I protect that."
More WWE News:
For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ilona Maher Says She's Been Approached to Join WWE
After her turn on Dancing With the Stars last year, Ilona Maher doesn't seem to be done with Hollywood just yet. The rugby star and Olympic bronze medalist recently revealed to BBC Sport that she's 'been approached before by the WWE,' adding that if she joined the wrestling entertainment company, her ring name would be 'Maher-vellous.' More from The Hollywood Reporter WWE's Premium Live Events Are Leaving Peacock for ESPN Earlier Than Expected Halloween Horror Nights: Inside 'Fallout,' 'Terrifier,' 'Five Nights at Freddy's,' 'Friday the 13th' and More Scare Houses TKO Punches Up Earnings After Announcing ESPN Megadeal, Driven By Live Events 'I don't know if I would [go into wrestling]. I should think about it, there is great money in it,' she Maher continued, noting she also has her eyes on the 'acting space.' 'I think a Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, John Cena progression, I would love to do that,' she explained. 'It would be exciting to see my body type on the screen. I'll start off small, probably like a hot assassin or something, let's not get too crazy. I'm not going to be in a rom-com just yet.' Maher first rose to fame while competing for Team USA during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, using her social media platform to advocate for women of all shapes and sizes. She later competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, taking home a bronze medal, before competing on season 33 of Dancing With the Stars with her partner Alan Bersten. They came in second place. 'I'm always just trying to stress that you're so much more than the stereotypes that sometimes people put you in,' she told The Hollywood Reporter last year. 'I've always just found it as an athlete, as a female athlete, whatever sport I have played or whatnot… I was always told you gotta be this and this and this and I was like, well, I don't feel that way or I'm not that way, but I still love this sport. I love who I am.' A docuseries on the rugby sensation is also being developed by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, Ross Greenburg Productions and Range Sports. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise Play Farm Merge Valley


Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Pat McAfee's WWE Return Date Confirmed
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Pat McAfee is making his return to WWE. The popular media personality will be a part of the inaugural WrestlePalooza premium live event on Saturday, September 20th. The news was announced by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque during an appearance on ESPN's SportsCenter. The announcement was part of a media tour to promote WWE's new partnership with ESPN. Pat McAfee's Return to the Announce Desk McAfee's return comes after a multi-month hiatus from the company. He had been a part of the Monday Night Raw commentary team alongside Michael Cole but stepped away in June of 2025, citing burnout from his demanding schedule. In a recent episode of his own show, McAfee opened up about the mental and physical exhaustion that led to his break. He explained that the constant travel required for his daily ESPN talk show, his WWE duties, and his new role as a parent had "all caught up to him." At the time, he was uncertain when, or if, he would return. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match The ESPN Connection It is fitting that McAfee's return is taking place on the first-ever WWE premium live event to air on ESPN's new direct-to-consumer streaming service. McAfee has become one of the biggest stars on the ESPN network, both with his daily Pat McAfee Show and his role as an analyst on the popular College GameDay broadcast. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: Pat McAfee is introduced prior to the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: Pat McAfee is introduced prior to the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Alex BierensHis presence at WrestlePalooza is a perfect example of the cross-promotional synergy that is at the heart of the new WWE-ESPN partnership. He is a bridge between the worlds of mainstream sports and sports entertainment, and his return to the commentary desk is a major addition to the inaugural event. A Stacked WWE Night in Indianapolis WrestlePalooza is scheduled to take place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The event will go head-to-head with AEW's All Out pay-per-view. To compete, WWE has reportedly stacked the card with two main events: John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre. McAfee's return to call the action alongside Michael Cole adds another layer of excitement to what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated WWE events of the year. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.


Fox News
7 hours ago
- Fox News
Brooke Hogan claims officials say bodycam footage could shed new light on Hulk Hogan's death
Brooke Hogan, the daughter of WWE legend Hulk Hogan, is shedding light on the series of events that allegedly occurred the day of her father's death. In a series of emotional posts, Brooke claimed she had received "legit calls" from medical and law enforcement officials urging her to seek bodycam footage and 911 tapes that could "change the narrative" surrounding her father's passing. "Here's ALL I KNOW. So stop speculating, stop asking. I have also informed my brother of all of this information who is boots on the ground with everything," she wrote on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday. "FACT: I've 100% gotten legit calls from professionals — from police officials to nurses that were supposedly with my dad on the day of his death telling ME I need to see body cam footage and I need to get a hold of the 911 tapes because they supposedly contain information that could potentially shed enough light to change the narrative we/I/everyone's been hearing." "Those same professionals feel so passionately about what they witnessed, they have continued to contact me and push me to find specific answers to this very day," she added. "They are quite literally putting their careers at risk because they feel so compelled to do the right thing. The short of it is — it's all up to my dad's wife and I have zero control. I can not do anything, my hands are tied, and I have no say in anything regarding my dad — even as his daughter. Those are the rules as I've been told." Brooke said she does "not have any information" on when he is being cremated, but has been told that there will be an autopsy. "I do not know who will be performing the autopsy," she wrote on social media. "Any information I receive from an autopsy — if one happens — whether I believe it or not, I will be keeping private out of respect for my father." Brooke went on to say that she doesn't know if the officials who reached out to her have relayed this information to the medical examiner's office. "And if they did, I do not know why it wasn't taken into consideration," she wrote. "All body cam footage and 911 dispatch calls are not available via the freedom of information act. It's all on lockdown. I do not know why." "Do I question his general physician signing off on his death certificate, given his background which is available for anyone to see via a simple Google search? You can answer that one for yourself," she added. "I have to trust that my brother is doing his best to get answers. At the end of the day, answers would be great, but none of it brings my dad back. And my hands are tied. So please stop misquoting, speculating and ASKING me if I know anything. I can not get any information. I know you'd think I could being his blood, but I can't." "We are already dealing with enough. I will not be talking about this 'mystery' any more," she concluded. Hulk died on July 24 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Clearwater, Florida. He had a history of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes irregular and rapid heart rate. He was 71. Brooke was estranged from her father in the later years of his life. Following his death, she penned a lengthy and emotional tribute to her father in which she also clarified the complexity of their relationship. "We never had a 'big fight,'" she wrote." "My father and I never 'fought.' It was a series of private phone calls no one will ever hear, know, or understand."