Whether you love him or hate him, it can't be denied that The Undertaker has become one of the most popular, and successful, marquee names in the wrestling superstars league, due to his bizarre, 'Messenger of Death' image, and his apparent inability to suffer pain

However, it wasn't always so for Mark Callaway. He began his career in the Southern Independent promotions wrestling under a variety guises, before hitting WCW as 'Mean' Mark Callous, and eventually winding up with his current image in the 'Capital of characters' the WWF.

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Hometown: Dallas, Texas
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Real Name: Mark Callaway
Years as a Pro

History

Mark Callaway, began his career in the months of 1989 for the Memphis based Continental Wrestling Association. His trainer 'The Spoiler' a wrestler of the 70's and 80's who taught the rookie the basics of the sport, and how to walk the ring ropes in the manner of a tight rope artist.

He then headed to USA under the guidance of General Skandar Akbar ( a veteran NWT/ UWF heel manager), and suddenly Mark Callaway was no longer the 'Master of Pain' , he had changed his name to 'The Punisher'.

The Punisher, clad in a mask, became a major attraction in the Tennessee based promotion as he regularly fought such top fan favourites as 'Flamboyant' Eric Embry (who was managed at this time by Percy Pringle, the man who would eventually become known as Paul Bearer), Kerry Von Erich and 'Simply Irresistible' Jeff Jarrett.

As Akbar's 'Devastion Inc.' had a major feud going with Embry, the Punisher was consistently sent on the trail of the 'Flamboyant One'.

'Devastation In.' did their job well as Embry failed to attend a mandatory defence of his title - due to an eye injury- and his sanctioned opponent for the night - 'The Punisher' was given the belt on forfeit.

Only fifteen days later October 20th Kerry Von Erich upended 'The Punisher' for the Texas Championship.

Following this defeat, 'The Punisher' drifted in the World Class, and after the demise of the 'Devastation In.' he left the promotion.

Exit World Class; enter the NWA.

After Sid Vicious (Justice) sustained a punctured lung in late 1989, Teddy Long , the manager of the 'Skyscrapers' , began looking for a replacement. As 1990 became a fact,'Mean' Mark Callous - formerly known as 'The Punisher', was recruited into the fold..

Callous, now wrestling without a mask , was far from polished, but he continued to improve, and considering he was still in his rookie year - impressed with every match.

Along with Dan Sivey, 'The skyscrapers' continued, their feud with the 'Road Warriors'. Even with the relative in-experience of Callous in tow, the two teams fought to many wild inconclusive decisions.

At Clash of the Titans X, held on February 6th in Forth Worth, Texas, Spivey and Callous battled Hawk and Animal in another wild encounter. On this occasion 'The SkyScrapers' were disqualified after 'Dangerous' Dan repeatedly blasted both 'Warriors' with a steel chair.

The 'SkyScrapers' may have lost the match but, but they certainly emerged looking anything but the losers.

At Wrestle War '90 held on February 25th, Spivey and Callous were again scheduled to meet the 'Warriors', this time in a 'Chicago Street Fight' match. At this time Spivey headed back to the All-Japan Promotion only days before the match. (There NWA specified at the time that Spivey was 'injured').

This forced Teddy Long to bring a masked 'SkyScrapers' in as Spivey's replacement.

Throughout the match Callous worked hard, but his new masked partner, was simply overwhelmed by the 'Warriors' and eventually fell victim to the infamous double team clothesline.

The 'SkyScrapers' were phased out. Callous became a singles competitor, this time under the management of the phone-wielding, Paul E. Dangerously.

In singles action, 'Mean' Mark continued to display great potential. He began using Stan Stasiak's trademark move, 'the Heartpunch' with great effect, coupling that with is patented 'Heat Seeking Missile'. The innovative finisher would see Callous walking the top rope, and then deliver a crushing flying elbow drop.

Callous began to ascend the singles ladder after defeating such competitors as Mike 'Norman the lunatic' Shaw, Johnny Ace, Shane Douglas and Tommy Rich.

'Mean' Mark was the entered into a series with U.S. Champion Lex Luger.

In July at the Great American Bash, Callous received a shot at the U.S. Crown, putting in a impressive showing against the 'Total Package', but the more experienced U.S. Champion scored the pin and retained the title.

Callous received more opportunities with Luger and shots at NWA / WCW / World Champion Sting.

'Mean' Mark Callous went down, via pinfall, virtually every time.

Callous' career in the Autumn of 1990 as a member of the Atlanta organisation was slipping even further and he left the area.

In October he showed up in the USA again. At a one night tournament held on the 8th October to determine a new USA champion. Callous had hired 'Downtown Bruno' (later to be known as Harvy Wimpleman in the WWF) as his manager for that evening.

He defeated 'Superstar' Bill Dundee by disqualification, but lost to Jerry 'The KIng' Lawler, again by disqualification. Lawler would go all the way, defeating Austin Idol in the final, to claim the championship.

As the month of November came, the hype for the WWF's famed Survivor Series reached its usual overload. A great deal of the hype surrounded the apparent fourth mystery member of Ted Dibiase's 'Million Dollar' Team.

As the event arrived, the WWF's newest signing, dressed in black, and wearing a hat that almost concealed his features, was unveiled. As this massive cartoon-like competitor removed his headgear, a heavily made-up Mark Callaway was revealed. His new name: The Undertaker.

Accompanied by 'Brother Love' (real name Bruce Pritchard), the 'Undertaker' tore apart the opposition.

Crushing 'Koko B. Ware' with the 'Tombstone', destroying and pinning Dusty Rhodes after a flying axe handle from the top rope. But counted out whilst continuing his onslaught of the 'American Dream' at ringside.

Not only did he look different - thanks to the WWF costume department - he appeared to be virtually indestructible.

Run him over with a car, blast him with a magnum. It didn't make any difference! The Undertaker would shrug it off as though it were a minor annoyance.

At that time, that's how it seemed.

'Brother Love' was given his marching orders and replaced by a heavily made-up managerial replacement named Percy Pringle, now residing under the convenient name of 'Paul Bearer'.

Callaway and William Moody (Paul Bearers real name) were no strangers to each other, having both worked down in Dallas,usually on different sides, but on this occasion they complimented each other - with the images they were portraying - very well.

Undertaker's first opponents didn't exactly create too much competition. 'Tugboat' (now known as 'Typhoon'), 'Big Bossman', 'Super Fly' Jimmy Snuka or Hacksaw Jim Duggan, it didn't really matter. Undertaker emerged victorious, without even breaking a sweat.

The morbid character was quite clearly a rule-breaker, developing a huge fan following through his macabre image.