WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts has revealed that he recognised The Undertaker’s extraordinary potential from their very first encounters.
Speaking on an episode of The Undertaker’s podcast, Six Feet Under, Roberts recalled his early impressions of the legendary wrestler.
“From the get-go, Mark had something special, and I think that’s one of the reasons that I hooked up with him,” Roberts said, referring to Undertaker’s real name, Mark Calaway.
Roberts explained that he felt a strong urge to mentor The Undertaker in the early days of his career, particularly in perfecting the Deadman character. He believed that even the slightest misstep could have derailed what would become one of the most iconic personas in wrestling history.
“I knew that if he didn’t do this character perfectly, one little misstep, and he kills his gimmick,” Roberts stated.
The Undertaker debuted in the then WWF in 1990, quickly becoming a dominant figure with his eerie, supernatural persona. Over the years, his commitment to the character made him one of the most respected and enduring figures in professional wrestling.
Roberts, known for his own psychological approach to the sport, had a brief but memorable feud with The Undertaker in 1992. He now reflects on those early interactions with pride, knowing that his instincts about The Undertaker’s potential were spot on.
Why Was Jake Roberts “Shell-Shocked” By A 2014 WWE Phone Call?
Jake Roberts spoke about how he was “shell-shocked” after receiving a phone call from WWE in 2014, as he was expecting the phone call to be asking him to be a part of the 2014 Royal Rumble. However, the phone call instead was asking him if he’d like to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
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