In recent years, The Undertaker has clearly struggled to be the Deadman of old, and that's unfortunately because he is a lot older now. His career has been incredible, but like so many of the Legends who stepped into the ring before him, the time comes when you simply can't compete at the same level you once did.
Now, the Phenom has retired, and he's confirmed that there was one moment, in particular, when he realised he was done. That came in his cinematic WrestleMania match against AJ Styles last year.
"About halfway through that night with AJ, I knew that was it for me," Taker admitted in an interview with Sports Illustrated. "It became really obvious throughout the course of that night that I could no longer physically do things the way I want to do them, and I refuse to ever shortcut our fans."
As for the fact he missed this year's Show of Shows, it was a conscious decision on The Undertaker's part to ensure he wouldn't be ready for a bout at the event should the phone ring. "Usually around October, I start getting my body ready for WrestleMania. I didn’t train a lot this year, purposely building in a safety net that way. So I was at peace with everything."
"I had to work through that," he continues. "It’s a little difficult once WrestleMania starts. I started second-guessing myself. So much of my history revolves around WrestleMania. There was a bit of an emotional tug of the heartstrings watching this year, but it’s time for me to step aside and let this next generation have the reins and go where they’re going to go."
It's a real shame that The Undertaker's career is over, but no one can deny that he's a) an icon and b) someone who changed the game in the squared circle. If that Boneyard match truly was his last, then it's fair to say he went out on a high riding off into the distance as the American Badass.