WWE legend The Undertaker reveals he had secret heart operation after WrestleMania and recalls doctor's chilling words
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
WWE legend The Undertaker has bravely opened up about how a life-saving heart operation helped him escape death.
The Hall of Fame wrestler, whose real name is Mark Calaway, retired back in 2020 after one of the most legendary careers in sport's entertainment.
5
WWE legend The Undertaker was forced to undergo heart surgery the day after Wrestlemania 41
5
The Undertaker's wife Michelle McCool revealed the details on the Six Feet Under podcast
5
The Undertaker had one of the most legendary careers in sport's entertainment
He was a staple piece of WWE for decades and has since continued to give back through his Six Feet Under podcast and ambassadorial role for the company.
In the weeks leading up to the WrestleMania 41 weekend in April, Calaway was quietly battling something far more real than the on-screen story-lines of the wrestling world.
According to his wife Michelle McCool, the warning signs began in March, when routine cardiac tests flagged something off with her husband's heart.
Follow-up checks revealed Taker had likely been in chronic atrial fibrillation (AFib) for an unknown length of time.
READ MORE WWE NEWS
SAD NEWS Ric Flair diagnosed with skin cancer as WWE icon, 76, reveals heartbreaking news
The 60-year-old had no noticeable symptoms beyond occasional breathlessness — something he'd chalked up to nothing serious.
He was eventually hospitalised for four nights with an ejection fraction (a measure of how much blood the heart pumps with each beat) of just 30 per cent — a dangerously low number for a man of his size and age.
And yet, even with his heart rate unstable, Taker insisted on going to WrestleMania two weeks later, to be there for McCool's Hall of Fame induction — and to induct her personally.
McCool, a two-time WWE Women's Champion, said on the Six Feet Under podcast: "You weren't supposed to go anywhere. You didn't want me to tell anybody.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
'That's that old school mentality. I'm not mad at it — because I'd probably be the same patient — but it was terrifying.
'The next morning after returning home from WrestleMania, we were in the hospital in Las Vegas at 6am for a little bit of heart surgery."
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker left stunned by 'savage' crowd reaction at WWE Money in the Bank
Taker, whose older brother died from a heart attack in 2020, then begrudging admitted: "I wasn't supposed to go to Vegas."
McCool, who is Taker's third wife, added: "You didn't want me to tell anybody. I couldn't focus on anything else.
"All I wanted to focus on was you, your heart, getting the best cardiologists, a lot of phone calls, several nights in the hospital. And by the grace of God, you are here.
"But out of the words of the doctor himself 'it could have turned out badly if we had not found out that very day'."
Taker then coyly joked: "Yeah, well now I'm as strong as a Bull."
Before McCool, who is 15 years his junior, joked back: "And thankfully you can still pretend that you're a dead man. Because I saved your life."
5
Taker's wife McCool urged him to go for a routine check up in March
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
WWE in major blunder after glamorous new female wrestler is accidentally named after PORN STAR
THE WWE have been caught in a major blunder after their new glamorous wrestler was accidently named after a PORN STAR. Mariah May is joining the WWE, having moved on from rival league the AEW. 7 Blake Monroe has been unveiled as the newest WWE wrestler Credit: Instagram/mariahmayx 7 She has joined the WWE from the AEW Credit: Instagram/mariahmayx 7 But she has been named after a PORN STAR Credit: Instagram @mariahmayx The stunning blonde made her debut in the WWE on "NXT" but did so anonymously. Monroe, 26, has now been announced as the league's next wrestling star. However, due to the WWE being keen to secure the rights to the wrestler's names, she was given a new identity. This is where the gaffe has been made, as she was unveiled as Blake Monroe. READ MORE ON WWE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE WWE icon The Undertaker reveals he had heart operation after WrestleMania Fans reacted to the botch job in the comment section of the post unveiling Monroe. One posted: "Blake Monroe? C'mon, WWE, you can do better than that." A second wrote: "Oh brother. What a horrible name change." A third commented: "Blake what?" A fourth said: "The name isn't giving but congrats to her." Another added: "It couldn't just be Mariah Monroe?" WWE legend The Undertaker reveals he had secret heart operation after WrestleMania and recalls doctor's chilling words 7 Fans are debating whether she should sell her bath water Credit: Instagram @mariahmayx 7 Blake Monroe is the latest name on WWE roster Credit: Instagram @mariahmayx The original Blake Monroe made several adult films three decades ago. Her adult movies include Beefeaters 2 and Hustler Alley. The video of the wrestler's announcement showcased her sitting in a bubble bath. She was described as "internationally adored" and "beauty and grace". The Daily Mail have reported that the video sparked debate that she is planning on copying actor Sydney Sweeney by selling the BATHWATER to fans. Euphoria star Sydney, 27, collaborated with grooming brand Dr. Squatch to produce a limited edition soap called "Bathwater Bliss". 7 Actor Sydney Sweeney has already made her bathwater into soap Credit: The Mega Agency
The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
WWE in major blunder after glamorous new female wrestler is accidentally named after PORN STAR
THE WWE have been caught in a major blunder after their new glamorous wrestler was accidently names after a PORN STAR. Mariah May is joining the WWE, having moved on from rival league the AEW. 7 7 The stunning blonde made her debut in the WWE on "NXT" but did so anonymously. Monroe, 26, has now been announced as the league's next wrestling star. However, due to the WWE being keen to secure the rights to the wrestler's names, she was given a new identity. This is where the gaffe has been made, as she was unveiled as Blake Monroe. Fans reacted to the botch job in the comment section of the post unveiling Monroe. One posted: "Blake Monroe? C'mon, WWE, you can do better than that." A second wrote: "Oh brother. What a horrible name change." A fourth said: "The name isn't giving but congrats to her." Another added: "It couldn't just be Mariah Monroe?" WWE legend The Undertaker reveals he had secret heart operation after WrestleMania and recalls doctor's chilling words 7 The original Blake Monroe made several adult films two decades ago. The video of the wrestler's announcement showcased her sitting in a bubble bath. She was described as "internationally adored" and "beauty and grace". The Daily Mail have reported that the video sparked debate that she is planning on copying actor Sydney Sweeney by selling the BATHWATER to fans. Euphoria star Sydney, 27, collaborated with grooming brand Dr. Squatch to produce a limited edition soap called "Bathwater Bliss". 7 7
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
WWE legend The Undertaker reveals he had secret heart operation after WrestleMania and recalls doctor's chilling words
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WWE legend The Undertaker has bravely opened up about how a life-saving heart operation helped him escape death. The Hall of Fame wrestler, whose real name is Mark Calaway, retired back in 2020 after one of the most legendary careers in sport's entertainment. 5 WWE legend The Undertaker was forced to undergo heart surgery the day after Wrestlemania 41 5 The Undertaker's wife Michelle McCool revealed the details on the Six Feet Under podcast 5 The Undertaker had one of the most legendary careers in sport's entertainment He was a staple piece of WWE for decades and has since continued to give back through his Six Feet Under podcast and ambassadorial role for the company. In the weeks leading up to the WrestleMania 41 weekend in April, Calaway was quietly battling something far more real than the on-screen story-lines of the wrestling world. According to his wife Michelle McCool, the warning signs began in March, when routine cardiac tests flagged something off with her husband's heart. Follow-up checks revealed Taker had likely been in chronic atrial fibrillation (AFib) for an unknown length of time. READ MORE WWE NEWS SAD NEWS Ric Flair diagnosed with skin cancer as WWE icon, 76, reveals heartbreaking news The 60-year-old had no noticeable symptoms beyond occasional breathlessness — something he'd chalked up to nothing serious. He was eventually hospitalised for four nights with an ejection fraction (a measure of how much blood the heart pumps with each beat) of just 30 per cent — a dangerously low number for a man of his size and age. And yet, even with his heart rate unstable, Taker insisted on going to WrestleMania two weeks later, to be there for McCool's Hall of Fame induction — and to induct her personally. McCool, a two-time WWE Women's Champion, said on the Six Feet Under podcast: "You weren't supposed to go anywhere. You didn't want me to tell anybody. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'That's that old school mentality. I'm not mad at it — because I'd probably be the same patient — but it was terrifying. 'The next morning after returning home from WrestleMania, we were in the hospital in Las Vegas at 6am for a little bit of heart surgery." Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker left stunned by 'savage' crowd reaction at WWE Money in the Bank Taker, whose older brother died from a heart attack in 2020, then begrudging admitted: "I wasn't supposed to go to Vegas." McCool, who is Taker's third wife, added: "You didn't want me to tell anybody. I couldn't focus on anything else. "All I wanted to focus on was you, your heart, getting the best cardiologists, a lot of phone calls, several nights in the hospital. And by the grace of God, you are here. "But out of the words of the doctor himself 'it could have turned out badly if we had not found out that very day'." Taker then coyly joked: "Yeah, well now I'm as strong as a Bull." Before McCool, who is 15 years his junior, joked back: "And thankfully you can still pretend that you're a dead man. Because I saved your life." 5 Taker's wife McCool urged him to go for a routine check up in March
