During an interview with Dallas Morning News, The Undertaker made it clear that his in-ring days are done.
Some fans still believe “The Phenom” will come back for one more match at some point, as many argue that he deserves one final bout in front of a full crowd for a proper send-off.
While Undertaker still has the “wrestling bug” with his passion to compete, he admitted that, while he could “walk through” a match, he believes that he couldn’t physically meet the fans’ expectations.
“I think [the wrestling bug], it’s always in my head and in my heart, especially getting ready for WrestleMania here at AT&T Stadium,” said Undertaker. “It’s just like…man. But it’s just at a point where physically, I can’t perform at a level. I mean, I could go out and walk through something and I could get through a match. But I can’t give people what they expect at this point. When you see Undertaker, you pay money to see that guy wrestle. I can’t deliver physically on what people’s expectations are.
“…The passion is obviously still there. I think that will always be there. It’s just the physical side of it. … My time has come, my time has gone. This is the WWE and things happen, you never know. But I know that my time has passed and it’s time for these young guys to step up and take over and lead us to where we’re going.”
Next year’s WrestleMania will be the second one since The Undertaker rode off into the sunset after his Boneyard Match with AJ Styles in 2020. It will also be the third two-day WrestleMania, and this format is a stark depature from the days when WWE would deliver a lengthy card for “The Showcase of the Immortals.” The Undertaker explained why he feels that the two-night structure is beneficial by noting that it will keep energy levels high across the board. “The Phenom” then stated that WWE WrestleMania 38 is going to be “huge” coming out of the heigh of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I like going to two nights now, because WrestleMania was a long night,” said Undertaker. “You’re there 6-7 hours, and it’s hard to keep and sustain that energy level as a fan. You get taken on all these emotional rides all through the course of night to the point where you’re just worn out. So, I love the fact that they are going to two nights. I think it will keep the energy levels high, the excitement high, and I’m really excited about it.
“To not be actually in a match, I’m really excited for this year’s Mania. Everybody’s kind of coming back out again after COVID and everything else. I think it’s going to be huge, I really do.”
WWE welcomed fans back for WrestleMania 37, but everything’s bigger in Texas, the site of WrestleMania 38, so fans can expect an even more remarkable spectacle in 2022.
