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The Undertaker: The Last Great Torchbearer of WWE

This post is about professional wrestling icon, Mark 'The Undertaker' Callaway.

Yesterday I was watching the re-run of WWE Hell in a Cell 2015. After Summerslam, WWE straightaway came up with a second great PPV and those who are a loyal audience of WWE products know that it doesn't happen that too often with WWE. Some great matches and moments were there: Alberto Del Rio made a triumphant return, Charlotte put up an absolutely fantastic match with Nikki Bella, Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns stole the show with their brutal 20+ minutes (you don't get to see that too) Hell in a Cell match. The show was however headlined by Taker and Brock Lesner. It was dubbed as the 'final chapter' of Taker-Lesner storied rivalry. Their match defied all the expectations especially keeping Taker's physical condition and age in mind. It was one of the nastiest, bloodiest and most physical matches in WWE history. Brock came up with a win and Taker got a much deserving standing ovation from LA crowd.

Here you all should be aware of several pro wrestling connotations. Professional wrestling is an art and guys who perform it are called pro-wrestlers. In order to be a pro-wrestler, one must be a good wrestler first. He/she must be an expert of all the technical nuances of 'pure wrestling'. Then one would further require in-ring psychology, a colorful or dominating character, great mic-skill and assuring ability to connect with the audience. There is nothing like a 'win' or 'loss' in pro wrestling. Putting up a great show with a 'fellow wrestler' is all that matters for a great pro-wrestler. If a senior wrestler goes down to an upcoming superstar, he/she is 'pushing' that guy in the hierarchy. Secondly, if two legends of the same era are colliding in a match and one loses, it simply means an era is ended and tribute has been paid to both the superstars. If they are from different eras, you must fathom a 'passing of torch' ceremony from older generation to younger. Keeping all three connotations in mind, you could conclude that The Undertaker has now done each and everything that there was to offer and is now must be riding into the sunset. Yes he is but like one gallant survivor of that glorious Attitude Era of WWE, he is riding with his chin high.

The Taker is now 50 years old. Only the great 'Sting' from the current roaster is older than him (54 years) and still active in the ring. Like the Sting, his body has withered all the troubles of pro wrestling business. Age, multiple injuries and surgeries, hundreds of thousands of kilometers in travelling from one city to other, one continent to another and 25 years of putting up one hell of a performance after another and he is still going strong. If one has to choose that one career deed of Vince McMahon career that could immortalize his legacy, it would be his creation of this character, 'The Undertaker'. 'The Undertaker' was Vince McMahon's masterpiece, his greatest creation and the way Mark Callaway has carried this character on his soldiers for last 25 years is a testament to his resilience and will-power. The way Brock Lesner fights, if there was one person who could have taken him down was the Taker and boy, didn't he pull of a spectacular match? He is looking in great shape and is now more active than ever in some last 4 years. One could have this justifiable gumption that a glorious end is not too far away. Taker in no way say goodbye to his fans sitting on a home sofa. He will do that in a ring and in front of a sold out crowd chanting his name.

The upcoming WWE pay-per-view event is Survivor Series. In 1990, The Undertaker made his WWF debut at the same Pay-Per-View under the tutelage of Million Dollar Man, Ted Dibiase. A legend rose that day in a Reaper's costume and made way into our hearts in the surrounding dark atmosphere and accompanying 'Death Gong' background music. He is still accompanied by the same two things. Only the aura and mystique of his characters grew. Eras changed, people aged but he remained the same. He thus became a Dead Man, A Phenom, A Living Legend. And so ladies and gentlemen, Now I believe is the time that we all shall rise for him just like He did for us all those 25 years ago........‪#‎ThankYouTaker‬........‪#‎NakedEmotions‬

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