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In a recent episode of the *Six Feet Under* podcast, The Undertaker reflected on his experiences with Vince McMahon and how he earned the trust of the former WWE boss. McMahon was known for being a huge authority figure, and many wrestlers were somewhat intimidated by him. They understood that they had to prove themselves and gain his trust to build their careers. However, many didn’t fare well under McMahon’s leadership.
While some wrestlers wanted to push their ideas, they knew they had to earn that right, as McMahon called the shots and made the decisions he wanted. Over time, as The Undertaker established his name and became a key figure, he found that his relationship with McMahon became much more open. McMahon was more receptive to suggestions from him, although he wasn't always open to feedback from others.
“You used to have to earn Vince’s trust to be able to either put the kibosh on something like, ‘Nah, I’m not going to do that.’ ‘I think yeah, that’s what we need. That’s what we’re going to do.’ So you have to earn that that. [If he said that’s what you’re going to do], that’s what you’re going to do. Either you do that or you you say no, and then whatever the consequences of that is, right? So yeah, with Vince, once he trusts you and understands that you understand the vision then he was much more receptive to your input.”- The Undertaker said, as quoted by Pwmania.
When talking about his American Badass persona, The Undertaker explained that this character was something he created for himself. He had two main reasons for making the change. First, he was starting to feel stale in his original role. Second, while the classic Undertaker character was iconic, it limited what he could do creatively. Being true to that character was always his priority, but during the Attitude Era, he noticed that other wrestlers like Stone Cold and The Rock were delivering bold and edgy promos that didn’t fit with his original Undertaker persona.
The Undertaker wanted to put more emphasis on creativity, knowing that WWE is a company where you have to constantly change things and adapt, all with the aim of attracting the attention of the fans. The Undertaker was great in that, and many people label him as the person who had the most entertainment factor. Vince McMahon also understood that such a role suits an experienced wrestler, which ultimately turned out to be true.
The Undertaker realized he needed to evolve. While he kept some elements of the classic character, the American Badass allowed him to showcase more of his personality. He connected this persona to his real-life interests, like riding motorcycles and being part of that culture.
As the American Badass, he felt free to speak in a way that resonated with the times, delivering more dynamic promos. For example, he could make edgy remarks like threatening to stick his boots so far down The Rock's throat that he could kick his own ass; something he couldn't have said as the original Undertaker. This shift helped him stay relevant in a rapidly changing wrestling world.
Fans reaction
Fans still have divided opinions about The Deadman and the Badass gimmick. Many believe that The Deadman was a significantly better role for The Undertaker, showcasing him as a mystical character with his iconic hats and moves like the chokeslam and tombstone piledriver. This persona had intriguing elements that instilled fear in many, thanks to its horror aspects.
On the other hand, the Badass gimmick presented a different version of The Undertaker as a more relatable figure with a punk and biker vibe. He wore leather jackets and rode motorcycles. In this style, he placed greater emphasis on speaking, expressing himself, and using provocative statements.
When comparing both versions, many fans lean towards the original Deadman persona, considering it the defining character for The Undertaker and arguing that such an iconic representation didn’t need to change.
A few months ago, The Undertaker spoke on Busted Open radio about leaving his gimmick character, and the change in his career. The Undertaker felt that it was crucial to start a new story in WWE, and to leave such a character behind. He has made a huge success in both ways, so he has the right to be happy with both characters, and his career.
"For me, and this goes back to the old school storytelling, protecting that character," he concluded.
"I thought it was just vital that I leave that alone. I bury it, and not bastardize it, or cheapen that character one bit."
English (US)