In the years leading to The Undertaker's final match at WrestleMania 36, it had become clear the Deadman could no longer perform at the level he wanted or what fans expected from him.
In an epic, cinematic Boneyard Match shot during the pandemic, The Undertaker overcame AJ Styles and rode off into the night, bringing a definitive end to his in-ring career. He'd later officially retire and has since broken kayfabe, finally talking openly as the man behind the legend, Mark Calaway.
During a recent interview with Metro, the Phenom confirmed it was actually during this match in 2020 that he came to the realisation his time was up.
"In my heart, I wasn’t ready to do it but in my mind I knew I had to. It’s been a difficult transition because if I physically could, I would still be going," he explained. "But I can’t put on a match the way people expect to see The Undertaker wrestle. There’s no sense in tarnishing the legacy, or cashing in on the equity that I built up."
"My back is completely locked up, I’ve got pain shooting down my legs. That’s when I knew I was done," he said of the Boneyard Match, adding this is something he hasn't "really talked about a lot."
"It was physical, we did some really big stunts, but I shouldn’t have felt the way that I did. It was just that moment of clarity. It was a long drive, your whole career, everything - where did it go? It went so fast."
It's a real shame The Undertaker won't be back for one more match, but you never know what might happen in the crazy world of pro wrestling. For now, he seems content reflecting on his career in interviews like this and as part of his UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW.
What did you think about Taker's final WWE match?