It was coming sooner rather than later but it seems as though we have officially seen Undertaker's last wrestling match, after nearly three decades in the WWE.
The Deadman was defeated last night at Wrestlemania for the second time in his career in a match against Roman Reigns that won't go down as one of his greatest. To be fair to Reigns - who is always sparks a lot of negative reaction from wrestling fans - their sub-par contest was probably down to Taker no longer being able to go at full tilt.
So perhaps it's for the best, both in terms of his legacy and long-term health that the Undertaker bows out now. After losing to Reigns, he took off his coat, his gloves and iconic hat, before placing them in the centre of the ring and embracing his wife Michelle McCool on the walk back up the ramp.
The gloves have come off... #Undertaker #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/7MT1b0AOoN
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 3, 2017
The Undertaker is going to retire#WrestleMania #ThankYouDeadman #ThankYouTheUndertaker #thankyoutaker pic.twitter.com/x6Xg4rAiqv
— Hassan Charlie (@HassanCharlie) April 3, 2017
Taker stopped for one last time to salute the crowd as 'Thank You Taker' rang out around the Citrus Bowl Stadium.
Thankyou Taker, Goodbye Taker. 23-2#wwe #theundertaker #undertaker #deadman #23-2 #wrestlemania #wrestlemania33 @tsubasa_momegi pic.twitter.com/88TGyg1Dwm
— Mitsuru (@nest3622) April 3, 2017
Long after the event had finished, the production crew starting dismantling the set but Taker's gear remained untouched in the centre of the ring. A special tribute to perhaps the greatest of all time.
Production crew leave #undertaker 's gear in the ring after closing #thankyoutaker #wwe #wrestlemania #mania pic.twitter.com/efmTEIU8tX
— The 434 (@TheFourThree4) 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
The reaction online was of course one of huge respect for a man who played such a huge part in many wrestling fans' childhoods.
taker you are the greatest of all time and and you will always be my favorite wrestler #undertaker #Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/t6Q0WYkT7I
— Rohit kapoor (@kapoor_kapoor10) April 3, 2017
Who else balled their eyes out? I've been watching him since birth. This is how I first remember him. #Wrestlemania #Undertaker pic.twitter.com/n15XdMHjSX
— Kala's Stage (@kalasstage) 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
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