The Undertaker’s relationship with Vince McMahon spans multiple decades.
From the debut at Survivor Series 1990 to the retirement at the same event in 2020, The Deadman has been loyal to McMahon. Taker never defected to a rival promotion, staying with WWE through the ups and downs of the company.
The Undertaker Describes His Relationship With Vince McMahon
The bond was recognised further in 2022, with McMahon being the one to induct The Undertaker into the WWE Hall of Fame, making a rare in-person appearance at the event:
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Undertaker acknowledged how he was honest with people, and that the relationship with higher-ups was not something that was hidden:
“Um, there’s several. You know, and I mentioned it last year in my speech at the Hall of Fame, perception is reality. And, you know, I think sometimes he may have forgotten that, but I never did. And so that went a long way. Perception is reality and how I dealt with people through my career. I always, I didn’t want anybody to ever think that, you know, that I swerved them or that I had to go behind their back or do anything. What they saw is what they got, and I think that was probably a large factor in people always considering me the locker room leader. Everybody knew my relationship with Vince and Bruce and all of those, Pat Patterson, everybody knew my relationship there.
Despite the close relationship, The Deadman would still hang out with the locker room. The WWE roster were aware that stories of wild nights out would not make it to the boss, but also were aware that there were rules to follow:
But those same guys that I was on the road with, that I was hanging out with and partying with, you know, they knew what happened there was safe, and there was never going to be any crossover. Don’t let what we’re doing at night get in the way of business. I mean, that was a, that was a really strong rule with me. I don’t care what we do, don’t be late, and work hard. That was, that was the only thing that I [told people], don’t get in trouble, don’t make us late, don’t embarrass us, don’t be late to work and work hard. And I think that was why I garnered, I guess the respect because people trust me. And they knew that the two never the two never cross, I was going to do what was best for business, and that’s something that I learned from Vince.
Undertaker finished his praising of the WWE Chairman by stating that despite the corporate role and responsibilities, deep down he is one of the guys like the rest of the roster:
With Vince, regardless of what anybody thinks, deep in his heart he’s one of the boys, he really is. And he has that mentality. Things had to change, obviously, whatever, things changed, when the business, when the company went public, there were a lot of changes that had to happen, changes for the better. Everything’s, you know, we’ve evolved into a whole I mean, it is a, I think, I think WWE is in a lot of [ways], a lot more now is regarded in the same way as as other major sports franchises, you know, NBA or the NFL, we’re on that, if we’re not on that level, we’re really close, and the company is run that way. It is not that circus, you know, carny kind of thing anymore. It is a big, huge business, as everybody knows. And that’s the way it’s treated. The product has evolved, and it’s evolved for the better.”
While The Deadman and The Chairman have a friendship and respect that has lasted for more than 30 years, there was a time when The Undertaker almost walked out on an event following a disagreement with Vince McMahon.
If you use any quotes from this article please credit Insight with Chris Van Vliet and give a h/t to Inside The Ropes.