As one of the longest-serving top-level stars in WWE history, The Undertaker formed a bond with Vince McMahon that was closer than most.
In the past, The Deadman has referred to McMahon as being a father figure to him, while for his part, the WWE Chairman has made it clear how much he “loves” Undertaker. During an interview with Pat McAfee ahead of the real-life Mark Calaway’s Hall of Fame induction, he spoke at length about him, praising his loyalty and trustworthiness.
“Undertaker, of course, is going to be in the Hall of Fame. I’m going to have the distinction of inducting him into the Hall of Fame. It will be one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done in my life. I like the guy. I love the guy. We’ve known each other for so many years and have been through all kinds of situations. When you live on the road like that, you have your family at home, but when you live on the road, you have to have a family on the road and people you can count on, rely on, that are loyal and trustworthy and not have to look over your shoulder.
He’s that kind of guy. He’s an extraordinary human being and one of the all-time greats in the ring. As a human being, I could talk about the character and it won’t bug me at all, in my mind I’m thinking, when I’m inducting him, ‘I know who he is.’ That’s tough when you know someone that close and you care about them so much, it’s going to be one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.”
Matt Hardy recalls The Undertaker having Vince McMahon’s ear
Now, one of WWE’s top stars during the Attitude Era, Matt Hardy, has spoken about his own recollections of Undertaker and McMahon’s friendship on his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, saying The Phenom was one of the few stars who got time with the Chairman immediately when he wanted it.
“He’s always had Vince’s ear. You know, so if he wanted a one-on-one, direct sit down with Vince, he got it immediately.
“He was always, you know, from day one, when there was Undertaker, there was Bret Hart, there was Shawn Michaels, especially the time coming around those were the top guys that Vince held in the highest regards. And if they wanted any face-time, or if they wanted to talk to Vince about anything, they could definitely get his ear.”
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