Joe Rogan Experience #1598 - The Undertaker

Undertaker describes living with severe hip pain for over a decade, only realizing how much it drained his energy and mood when he woke up from Birmingham hip resurfacing surgery completely pain-free and “re‑motivated” to work.

He extended his career through cutting‑edge procedures—double hip resurfacing, two orbital floor reconstructions, creative shoulder surgery using rerouted muscles—and constant retraining of gait, movement, and in‑ring style to work around permanent damage.

After being scammed by his first trainer, Calaway spent eight straight months sitting in the Von Erichs’ office lobby every Wednesday until Fritz Von Erich finally noticed him, saw a resemblance to his late son, and ordered him booked—his first real break.

For years Undertaker stayed in-character in public—wearing black, speaking little, avoiding interviews and appearances—to keep fans from seeing a gap between the TV persona and the man, which he believes helped keep the character compelling for three decades.

He contrasts being stretched, scammed, and hazed by “shooters” in the territories with WWE’s current Performance Center, where recruits are paid to train, drug-tested like major sports, and supported by doctors and trainers—but he feels the product lost some edge.

He argues modern wrestling has “too much pretty and not enough substance,” with fewer legitimately tough, gritty personas and less of the raw Attitude Era feel that drew older kids and adults, though he credits Triple H for trying to restore some of that edge.

His docuseries ‘The Last Ride’ documents him chasing one final match he’d be proud to retire on, and he admits the hardest part is accepting diminished physical skills and finding new passions—like hunting and veteran support—after decades defined by The Undertaker.