Mark Calaway, famously known as The Undertaker, has long been regarded as one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling. In a recent conversation with WrestleRant, he emphasized that the true key to success in WWE isn't just athletic ability—it’s the ability to emotionally connect with the audience.
"If you make them care, you've won, and that is the biggest thing," Calaway stated. "I think that's one of the bigger problems we have. It's getting better because we are getting some good storytellers now, but ... a lot of these young wrestlers are relying so much on their athletic gifts that they're not learning how to tell stories."
Why Storytelling Trumps Athleticism
While acknowledging the importance of physical prowess, Calaway stressed that in-ring talent alone isn't enough to leave a lasting impact. According to him, without a strong character and compelling storytelling, wrestlers risk becoming trapped in an endless cycle of trying to outdo themselves physically—something that can be both exhausting and unsustainable.
"I mean, I had a pretty decent career with five moves," Calaway continued. "But I evoked emotion and made people care, one way or another. That's how you become a legend."
The Undertaker's Role in Shaping WWE's Future
Currently, Calaway is passing on his wisdom to the next generation as a coach on the reality series WWE LFG. He mentors Performance Center recruits, including Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock (now known as Tyra Mae Steele) and former Stanford defensive end Thunder Justice Keck, who competes under the ring name Shiloh Hill.
Through his teachings, The Undertaker hopes to instill the same storytelling mastery that helped define his legendary career.
The legendary Undertaker believes that farewell tours should become the norm for top-tier wrestlers so fans get a chance to say their goodbyes properly.
"I love the fact that [John] Cena is doing this farewell kind of tour, and I think it should probably, for people in that calibre, hopefully it's the model moving forward that you get to go. Although they don't do many events anymore, but to go out and kind of have this tour where people can know, where they can see you and go and see it one last time, and you can address these audiences. I love that. Get your flowers, but more so even for the fans to get that one last opportunity to see because I don't think, once [John] Cena does leave, I don't see Cena back," The Undertaker stated.