The Undertaker Opens Up on the Physical Toll of 30 Years in WWE

Appearing on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast with Tom Segura, the Undertaker—also known as The Deadman, American Badass, and by his real name Mark Calaway—spoke candidly about the number of injuries he's sustained. When asked specifically about his injuries, he responded,

"Well, let—how long we got? I can run them down. I've had both knees replaced at this point, partial hip replacements. That's just from the wear and tear. But like acute injuries? I've blown out both eye sockets—I've had orbital blowout fractures in both eyes. I've been set on fire. Actually, I've been set on fire twice."

“It’s 18 surgeries total,” Calaway said. While other wrestlers have suffered several injuries as well, The Undertaker has had such a long career that he is bound to be near the top of a long list of WWE Superstars still paying the price for a lucrative and glamorous career. He said, “You don’t play the game that hard and not have residual effects.”

Undertaker Was Still Among The Most Reliable WWE Superstars In History

Amazingly, even with all of the injuries, The Undertaker missed only a handful of WrestleManias during his 21-event undefeated streak. Considering WWE performers would wrestle as many as 300 times in a year during his prime years, it's incredible that he didn't miss more time.

Today, wrestlers still get hurt, but the ask and the demands aren't as great. Some of that has to do with a lighter schedule, but The Undertaker also credited changes in WWE and the company's approach to wrestler health. There are better facilities, trainers, and medical staff, and more resources for performers than ever before.

In the end, no wrestler has a long career without hardships and serious injuries. It's part of the price that must be paid to be in this line of work. The hope when done is that the injuries sustained don't hamper a wrestler long after they officially retire.