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The Undertaker was defined by his unique gimmick and macabre persona in the WWE arena. He entertained the world for over three decades, being the most popular character WWE has ever created. Even after his retirement in 2020, several unknown facts about him emerge every day and make headlines.

Besides, now that The Undertaker is officially free from the character, we get to see him embrace his true self as Mark Calaway. However, here is a glimpse from the past when young Calaway attended a pro wrestling event with his buddies.

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Rare Picture Before There Ever Was The Undertaker

In this rare picture posted on Twitter, young Mark Calaway is watching a pro-wrestling match with, supposedly, his friends. It is almost impossible to recognize this lean young man is the future ‘Deadman’, without knowing previously. Even so, the high cap hints at the possibility of a wild guess.

Moreover, the further details of this event or the people who are sitting beside Taker are unknown. It is shocking to see the heavyweight legend with a slim figure and a slender bicep. Comments under the post also jokingly wonder about what happened to his companions in the picture.

From Mark Calaway to The Phenom

Before joining the world of pro- wrestling, Mark Calaway was trying his fortune in basketball. During his college days, he made a choice to switch to wrestling. Although he would definitely have been successful in basketball, the world of pro wrestling is lucky that the ‘Deadman’ made the best decision.

Watch This Story: Breaking Undertakers Streak to Breaking the Ring : Brock Lesnar’s Carnage in WWE

Further, the redheaded college dropout from Houston began his life in pro- wrestling. The ‘Texas Red’ debuted in World Class Championship Wrestling in 1987 and worked intermittently in Tag team with Ted Arcidi. Later, in 1989, the CWA welcomed him and Mark became ‘The Master of Pain’.

But the ‘Master of Pain’ was only the first step to reach to the top of his fame. CWA transitioned into USWA and Calaway took on a new role, ‘The Punisher’. After the brief success story with Texas Heavyweight championship and all, he went to Japan Pro Wrestling. In NJPW, where other legends like Vader and Scott Hall had a good time, Taker was ‘Dice Morgan’.

The Undertaker’s WWE beginning

Time passed again, with Calaway evolving through many personas like ‘Mean Mark Callous’ back in WCW and in 1990, he debuted for WWF at the Survivor Series. Calaway’s unique traits and rare athletic abilities prompted Mr.McMahon to push him into new levels.

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Here, the ‘Deadman’ transformed through many gimmicks such as ‘The Western Mortician’, The Lord of Darkness’, ‘The American Badass’, The Big Evil’, ‘and The Phenom’. The interesting thing is, WWE only modified the persona of the Undertaker, never changing the core, villainous darkness.

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Read More: The Real Reason Why The Undertaker Is Called The Deadman

However, the skinny college boy from Texas transforming into the most beloved anti-heroes of all time is truly remarkable. Nonetheless, his evolution benefitted WWE tremendously and established an irreplaceable chapter in the history of pro wrestling.