Mark Calaway, famously known as The Undertaker, boasts a Hall of Fame WWE career that kicked off in the 1980s and lasted until 2020. Throughout his legendary journey, he battled a wide array of opponents, from iconic celebrities like Hulk Hogan to skilled wrestlers like AJ Styles. The Undertaker persona is considered one of the greatest characters in sports entertainment history, earning Calaway immense respect in the wrestling world. But who does the Deadman regard as the greatest wrestler ever?
When asked, The Undertaker named Shawn Michaels as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Many contenders could claim this title, especially considering impact legends like Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or The Rock. In terms of pure in-ring skill, names such as Bret “Hitman” Hart often arise. However, for The Undertaker, the choice was clear. In a 2021 ITN interview, he highlighted his WrestleMania 25 match against Michaels as a career pinnacle, lauding Shawn Michaels as probably the best in-ring performer. He also mentioned their shared pride in WWE, along with Triple H.
The rivalry between Undertaker and Shawn Michaels spans over three decades. Both were major stars during WWE’s early Attitude Era before Michaels suffered a career-interrupting back injury at the 1998 Royal Rumble. Although this initially paused their feud, their renewed encounters were even more memorable. Their WrestleMania 25 clash in 2009 is often hailed as the greatest WrestleMania match ever. They fought again at WrestleMania 26, where Michaels risked his career—defeat meant retirement. Despite this, Michaels briefly returned in 2018. Regardless of their differing sizes and personas, their chemistry in the ring produced unforgettable moments for wrestling fans.
Fan Take: The Undertaker naming Shawn Michaels as the greatest wrestler ever underscores the deep respect among WWE legends and highlights the importance of exceptional in-ring storytelling. For WWE fans, it reinforces the magic of their historic rivalry and reminds the wrestling world that skill and heart in the ring are just as vital as charisma and larger-than-life personas.
