The Undertaker seemingly wrestled his final match and said goodbye at WrestleMania tonight. After losing to Roman Reigns, he took off his gloves, jacket and hat and placed them neatly in the center of the ring, then kissed his wife and walked down the aisle until the lights eventually went black.
Reigns walked backstage as Undertaker lay in the ring. The crowd chanted “Thank you Taker” for a few seconds and he sat up. They then cut away to instant replays. When they came back, Undertaker was standing in the center of the ring wearing his coat and hat again under blacklight as his theme music played for a few minutes. Undertaker then took off his gloves, coat, and hat, and placed them in the center of the ring, symbolically indicating that his career may be over. He walked out of the ring and kissed his wife at ringside, then walked down the aisle as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. He raised his fist and the crowd popped. Suddenly, the lights went black and Undertaker’s bells tolled, and the show went off the air…
The Undertaker does seemingly say he is going to retire every year for the past few years, with his loss against Brock Lesnar a couple of years ago seeming like it would or should be his final match (which is why his WrestleMania streak was ended then). WWE eventually lures him back because they offer him a lot of money and it’s only one match. Undertaker was paid $2 million in 2016 for one match and five total appearances. So of course, you never know. But he was not given a super symbolic/dramatic send-off like this in the past and it seems like this is really it this time.
He has also reportedly been in a lot of pain and it was reported a couple of months ago that he is in need of full hip replacement surgery, which he has been putting off until after his retirement.
The #Undertaker sits up once again after being defeated by @WWERomanReigns at #WrestleMania… pic.twitter.com/pCLLTQGqZn
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2017
#ThankYouTaker #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/koSpEN7iOh
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2017
The @WWEUniverse stands in admiration of The #Undertaker at #WrestleMania… pic.twitter.com/I3KNbbchbf
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 3, 2017
The gloves have come off… #Undertaker #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/7MT1b0AOoN
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 3, 2017
The #Undertaker is making the walk back up the #WrestleMania ramp… pic.twitter.com/BAgWZKClp6
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 3, 2017
Vintage #Undertaker as the lights go out at #WrestleMania… pic.twitter.com/CEV8rUIbMQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2017
Everyone is gone. The Undertaker's gear is still in the ring. pic.twitter.com/EhErrt4z6S
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) April 3, 2017
#ThankYouUndertaker – my life has been so much better for having known you.#Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/earZXZ9uYF
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) April 3, 2017
My Man Taker, the biggest Star in the History of the WWE…Goes out in style like he always does. You make us all look weak in comparison.
— Ric FlairĀ® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) April 3, 2017
If there's a dry eye at #Wrestlemania ur a bigger man then me. #ThankYouTaker
— The Miz (@mikethemiz) April 3, 2017