The Undertaker is widely regarded as one of the greatest icons in wrestling history, spending 30 years as the legendary Deadman character and earning a place in the WWE Hall of Fame. However, before his WWE fame, Mark Calaway struggled during his brief stint in WCW from 1989 to 1990, where he was known as the average Mark Calaway. During that time, he shared a memorable and challenging hotel room experience with the Iron Sheik, whom he later called the worst roommate he ever had.
In the early days of his wrestling career during the 1980s, Calaway worked for smaller promotions like World Class Championship Wrestling and the Continental Wrestling Association, where his size drew attention but he still lacked the iconic persona he would later develop. While in WCW, he performed both as a singles and tag team wrestler and was once managed by Paul Heyman, but his progress was slow and unremarkable. Reflecting on his time rooming with the Iron Sheik, Calaway recounted how the veteran kept him awake all night with his antics.
On a 2023 podcast episode titled 6 Feet Below with Mark Calaway, he shared how the Iron Sheik’s nighttime behavior—such as drying and twisting his mustache, doing Hindu squats in their hotel room, and keeping him up—left a lasting impression. Calaway humorously admitted that despite being broke and inexperienced, he vowed never to room with the Iron Sheik again.
After that ordeal, Calaway preferred rooming only with close friends, specifically the Godfather and Brian Adams, with whom he formed a tight-knit group known as The Bone Street Krew (BSK). Other members included Yokozuna, Rikishi, Savio Vega, and the Godwinns. The bond among the BSK was so significant that the Undertaker has a tattoo on his abdomen that says "BSK Pride," a group that Iron Sheik was never a part of.
Fan Take: This story offers a fascinating glimpse into the early, less glamorous days of the Undertaker’s career, reminding WWE fans that even legends start small and face struggles. It also highlights the importance of camaraderie and friendship in wrestling, elements that help shape stars both inside and outside the ring, enriching the sport’s legacy.
