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“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.” ? Isaac Asimov
The theme of WWE Network’s Undertaker - The Last Ride series has been whether one defined by their work can find a safe exit from what has driven them their entire life without destroying all they have created in the process.
For Mark Calaway, it is indeed The Battle Within and this week, for the first time, at least for a little while, it finally appears Calaway, not The Undertaker is going to be the winner in his ongoing emotional tug of war between what Calaway knows he needs and what Calaway still feels he is required to provide.
With the embarrassment of a truly awful tag team match in Saudi Arabia fresh on his mind, Calaway, for the first time in a generation, finds himself with nothing to do Wrestlemania weekend, even turning down the chance to sit in on a production meeting. With his wife and daughter along for the trip, for the first time, we see Calaway, the person, actually relax and enjoy his time wandering Wrestlemania AXXESS and crossing paths with old friends and foes backstage at Metlife Stadium.
Despite a temporary falling out with Vince McMahon over Calaway’s flirtation with Conrad Thompson’s Starrcast, Calaway is very much at ease leading into Wrestlemania 35 in New Jersey. One of the true joys of the episode is seeing the lighter side of Calaway's personality, especially some truly incredible light-hearted interactions with Vince McMahon. Where before Michelle McCool may have stolen the show on previous episodes, Calaway is the central figure this time around. He’s more relaxed and at home with himself than we’ve seen him backstage for previous events, as the pressure isn’t there.
Two years before at Wrestlemania 33 in Orlando, Calaway seemed to be attending his own wake without realizing it. This time around, it’s more of family reunion, at least until the show starts. While Calaway is there as a VIP spectator, the slow burn under the surface of not being called upon to be part of the show is wearing on him underneath. He may not have brought his gear, but he’s still the loyal, venerated soldier disappointed he hasn’t been called for active duty.
At that point, the soul of The Undertaker sits up, no longer content to let Mark Calaway win the fight raging within.
“Suppose that we are wise enough to learn and know – and yet not wise enough to control our learning and knowledge, so that we use it to destroy ourselves?” - Isaac Asimov
It’s no secret that all roads from this point on lead to Undertaker’s first singles match against Bill Golderg. While the tag match with DX saw their best laid plans disintegrating into ridiculousness, the Goldberg battle immediately treads into dangerous water with scary injuries, frightening moments and a meshing of disgust, confusion and sadness left on Calaway’s face before he even exits the squared circle.
Once again, the harder Calaway tries to provide for everyone - the company, Vince McMahon, the fans, himself - the worse things become.
What had been embarrassment after the DX tag match is now displaced by doubt and realization. The episode expertly dives into the addictive nature of performing with many of Calaway’s past main event peers, including Mick Foley, Steve Austin and Dave Bautista expressing their concerns as well as their understanding of this unique drug they’ve all found themselves addicted to at some point in their lives.
Calaway and McCool’s reflections of the Goldberg fallout becomes one of the more sobering sequences of the series. For someone who has stood the test of time in the ring, the doubt within grows ever more constant...but yet the lure of yet another return to the ring is impossible to rage against. Commitments have been made and Calaway must once again do his best to try and right his own ship, mentally and physically.
That The Undertaker returns to the ring yet again is neither spoiler nor surprising. What occurs after his return to the locker room, however, sets the stage for Calaway and viewers alike as we all head into the series finale.
Pinfalls may be achieved, tombstones may be delivered, arms may be raised in victory but the true issue at hand continues to be the haunting of Mark Calaway; indeed The Undertaker refuses to release its hold on him and allow Calaway a chance to rest with peace of mind.
“There are no happy endings in history, only crisis points that pass.” - Isaac Asimov
Next week will tell the tale as to whether Mark Calaway has simply moved beyond the crisis point or has truly found a way to balance the duality between sense of duty and self.
WWE provided an advance stream of Undertaker - Last Ride episode 4, which will debut this Sunday on the WWE Network.
Mike Johnson can be reached at MikeJohnsonPWInsider@gmail.com.
Undertaker - The Last Ride Coverage
WITH WWE PREPARING TO PULL BACK TO CURTAIN, A LOOK AT THE LEGACY OF THE UNDERTAKER AND MARK CALAWAY ALIKE
by Mike Johnson @ 9:28 PM on 5/7/2020
UNDERTAKER - THE LAST RIDE BRINGS MARK CALAWAY'S REFLECTION, SHEER WILL & MORE INTO FOCUS
by Mike Johnson @ 9:01 AM on 5/8/2020
UNDERTAKER - LAST RIDE EPISODE 2 REVEALS THE ONE OPPONENT MARK CALAWAY CANNOT OVERCOME...HIMSELF
by Mike Johnson @ 9:59 AM on 5/15/2020
UNDERTAKER WANTS REDEMPTION IN LAST RIDE EPISODE THREE, BUT WHAT MARK CALAWAY TRULY NEEDS IS CLARITY
by Mike Johnson @ 10:33 AM on 5/24/2020
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