Quick Links
The wrestling world is no stranger to unexpected alliances and surprising connections that transcend the boundaries of promotions. One such bond that has emerged in recent years is the unknown friendship between WWE Hall of Famer, The Undertaker, and rising AEW star, Ricky Starks. Their connection, although surprising to some, showcases the mutual respect and admiration that exists among professional wrestlers, regardless of the promotion they call home.
The Undertaker Has Inspired Several Wrestlers
The name "The Undertaker" is synonymous with greatness in the world of professional wrestling. Throughout his illustrious career spanning over three decades, Mark Calaway, the man behind the persona, has carved out a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate both fans and aspiring wrestlers alike. The Undertaker's unparalleled longevity, in-ring prowess, and dedication to his craft make him an enduring source of inspiration for the next generation of wrestlers. From his eerie and supernatural persona in the early years to his later transformation into a respected locker room leader, The Undertaker has consistently reinvented himself, proving that versatility and innovation are key to longevity in the wrestling industry. This adaptability serves as a valuable lesson for young wrestlers, emphasizing the importance of staying relevant and being willing to embrace change.
In addition to his character evolution, The Undertaker's in-ring performances have been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Known for his unique blend of power, agility, and storytelling ability, he has delivered countless classic matches that have become the gold standard for professional wrestling.
RELATED: How The Undertaker Protected His Gimmick Outside Of WWE For Many Years, Explained
Where Did Ricky Starks First Meet The Undertaker?
During his appearance on AEW Unrestricted in 2020, Ricky Starks engaged in a wide-ranging conversation with Aubrey Edwards and Tony Schiavone. Amidst various topics, the AEW standout shared insights about his encounter with The Undertaker in 2016 and the valuable advice he received from the iconic WWE legend during their meeting. He said, “I used to go to a gym in Austin whichever year that was where Undertaker was wrestling Shane. He was getting ready for that. I want to say 2016. That’s how I initially met Taker at that gym. We would always work out at that same time. At that time he was getting ready, he had a guy that was filming a documentary for him because he wanted something for his kids to see of the process of getting into it. I met him there. I talked to him. We kept in contact. Then Brandon, who was doing the documentary, wanted to do a documentary on independents on how things worked. So he followed us one week on a loop from San Antonio to Laredo all the way to Mexico to Monterey."
Ricky added, "In this whole documentary, he wanted a segment where we actually sat down with Taker. We went to a barbeque joint and picked his brain. We sat there for like three and a half hours and talked to him. We asked him all these different questions like where he trained. I asked him about Don Jardine and walking the ropes. A lot of people don’t realize I get a lot of my ideologies and the way I do things in the ring from Taker. That experience was so cool to have because who else can get that? We sat on a couch together, and he reviewed my match from one of the local independents."
RELATED: Vince McMahon & The Undertaker's Long Lasting Friendship, Explained
How Ricky Starks Bonded With The Undertaker
Speaking on The Wrestling Classic, Ricky Starks, the AEW superstar, opened up about his relationship with The Undertaker, shedding light on a deeper connection that surpasses what most fans are aware of. Starks also shared that he had the opportunity to train alongside The Deadman in preparation for his WrestleMania 34 encounter with John Cena. He said, "Taker’s like my guy. Taker’s my favorite wrestler of all time. The wildest thing is that as I got older, I actually met him. I had him watch one of my matches for the indies. I sparred with him in preparation for his match against John Cena at WrestleMania. I kept in touch with Taker, still to this day when I see him, still the same, ‘Hey man, how you doing? I’m proud of you.’ That’s what he’s told me, he’s proud of me and I’m doing great so yeah, it’s really wild to go from that to sitting on a couch with [someone] that you loved when you were growing up."
While the match between John Cena and The Undertaker left a lot to be desired for the fans, it's endearing to know that at least something unbelievable came out of it: a real-life bond between a wrestling legend and a future star.
