“There Would Be No Undertaker Without ‘Him’”—WWE Icon Gives Emotional Thanks to His Former Manager
Few careers in wrestling history feel as mythical as The Undertaker’s. For nearly 30 years, The Deadman wasn’t just a WWE Superstar — he was an era, a presence, and a legend who blurred the line between sports entertainment and pop culture.
From his chilling entrance to the unforgettable WrestleMania Streak, The Undertaker built a legacy that very few will ever touch. Despite countless lucrative offers from rival promotions over the years, Mark Calaway stayed loyal to WWE, helping shape the company’s identity across generations of fans.
But according to the Phenom himself, that legendary run might never have happened without one key figure behind the scenes.
The Undertaker Pays Tribute to Bruce Prichard
The Undertaker officially walked away from in-ring competition following his cinematic Boneyard Match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36 in 2020. By then, his body had already sent clear warning signs, and Taker chose to step away on his own terms rather than risk damaging his hard-earned legacy.
Since retiring, he’s remained closely connected to WWE as an ambassador while enjoying more time with his family — but that hasn’t stopped him from reflecting on the people who helped shape his career.
On a recent episode of his podcast, The Undertaker delivered a heartfelt message to his former manager and longtime creative ally, Bruce Prichard.
“If it wasn’t for this gentleman — and I use that term lightly — there probably would not be an Undertaker in the world of professional wrestling.”
Taker went on to explain how crucial Prichard and the late Paul Bearer were during the early stages of his WWE run, especially at a time when things weren’t unfolding as he had expected.
“Prichard and Bearer were kind of like life vests for me at a time where I was thinking, ‘Man, this is not going the way I expected it to go.’”
Those early creative decisions ultimately helped mold one of the most iconic characters in wrestling history.
Could The Undertaker Wrestle Again?
While The Undertaker has been firm about his retirement, rumors continue to swirl. Over the past month, insiders have speculated that WWE may attempt to lure him back for a special appearance — or even a match — at WrestleMania 43.
The 2027 edition of WWE’s biggest event is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia for the first time, a setting that could tempt WWE to bring out its biggest legends for a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
Whether The Deadman rises again remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: even in retirement, The Undertaker’s respect for the people who helped build his legacy runs just as deep as the legend itself.
