The Undertaker is one of the most legendary figures to ever compete in a WWE ring. Over the course of a three-decade career, The Phenom wowed audiences around the world with both his dark persona and athletic wrestling style that seemed to defy his 6ft 10in frame.
Over the years, another part of The Undertaker’s presentation became key to his character and that was his elaborate entrances. As soon as the gong sounded and the lights went out, fans would go wild in anticipation of The Deadman’s appearance. The Undertaker would then slowly make his way to the ring bathed in purple light before raising his arms to turn on the lights in the arena before removing his hat to reveal his eyes rolled into the back of his skull.
On pay-per-view, the basics of his entrance remained the same but could include other theatrics like fire rising from the stage, druids lining the entranceway, or even coffins on the ramp from which The Undertaker would emerge.
Dutch Mantell believes The Undertaker’s entrance was better than the match
Speaking to Sportskeeda, legendary manager Dutch Mantell discussed The Undertaker’s entrance and claimed that it could be better than the matches that followed.
“Well, The Undertaker was pretty dark. But, at the same time, people loved it. They hit the gong… And that’s when the entrance was better than the match. You know, just playing, hitting the gong, and letting him go to the ring.”
Mantell went on to discuss other wrestlers who were the darkest characters in wrestling, including The Undertaker’s onscreen brother, Kane.
“Kane was one. He was kind of scary. Kevin Sullivan, because he talked all that dark stuff. Here’s a guy who didn’t talk dark stuff; he just looked mean. I mean, if you saw him coming at you down the street, you turn and go the other way. He was Ox Baker.”
H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the above transcription.