For these of you who’re aware of the Phenom, The Undertaker: The Final Trip want to introduce you to the person behind the enduring persona. The five-part docu-series, which debuts Sunday, Could 10 on the WWE Network., is a brutally sincere take a look at Mark Calaway, the legendary wrestler who’s coming to grips with that indisputable fact that his in-ring profession is nearing the tip.
Comparisons to the Michael Jordan restricted sequence The Final Dance are unavoidable. To be truthful, each heart on iconic figures who modified the sport of their respective fields and have well-known pals who provide up attention-grabbing perception into well-known incidents, however that is the place the similarities finish. In contrast to Jordan, who by no means actually confronts his errors within the ESPN docuseries, the Undertaker goes to a uncooked and really actual place in The Final Trip.
The Undertaker on His Search for the Perfect Final Match in WWE’s The Last Ride
For a man who’s closely guarded his character for the previous three many years, it is refreshing to see Calaway be so open and upfront about what it takes to develop into the Undertaker lately. Referring to his bodily limitations now that he is older, the documentary pulls no punches in illustrating the bodily and psychological hardship that Calaway endures whereas getting ready for his once-a-year-bouts, which take a a lot stronger effort for half the outcomes, and the brutal aftermath by which he often finally ends up on an working desk to restore no matter harm was made. It is the story of a person who lives in fixed ache — even taking knee injections simply to have the ability to stroll — however can not seem to step away from the job that he loves.
An excellent portion of “Chapter One,” which was made out there to critics forward of the premiere, focuses on his WrestleMania 30 match, by which Brock Lesnar broke his 21-year undefeated streak, and his combat with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33, which was speculated to be the ultimate match of his profession. There are eye-opening revelations, like the truth that Calaway has no recollection of his match with Lesnar resulting from a concussion, and the pep discuss Triple H gave him after he’d been plagued with self-doubt following a lackluster outing the 12 months earlier than.
For somebody like Calaway, who’s completed greater than most wrestlers can ever hope and actually has nothing left to show, the query of why he continues to punish his physique by returning to the ring regardless of the entire accidents lingers. The reply to that’s explored in nice element all through The Final Trip as Calaway displays on essentially the most weak years of his WWE profession. We’re seeing a brand new, weak facet to the long run Corridor of Famer as he struggles to determine the proper technique to finish his storied profession. By interviews with the Phenom himself, together with those that know him effectively — his spouse Michelle McCool, Stone Chilly Steve Austin, Edge, Ric Aptitude, Shane McMahon, Triple H, and lots of extra — viewers get unprecedented entry to the beforehand enigmatic determine who’s lastly letting his guard down — and it is nice.
Whether or not you are a hardcore fan who used to roll your eyes behind your head to imitate the Deadman or somebody who cannot inform a chokeslam from a superkick, this compelling and genuine tribute to one of many biggest to ever step within the ring is a must-watch.
The Undertaker: The Final Trip premieres Sunday, Could 10 at 10/9c on the WWE Network.
Mark Calaway, The Undertaker: The Final Trip