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Featured Image Credit: WWE
Topics: WWE, The Undertaker
Daniel Marland
The Undertaker received an incredible reception during his WWE Hall of Fame induction last night and he was visibly emotional throughout.
After a 30 year career The Undertaker, real name Mark Calaway, announced his retirement in June 2020 with a Hall of Fame induction being a matter of not if, but when.
Friday night saw The Undertaker headline 2022's class in his home state of Texas and it was a special moment.
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Before giving his speech, the 57-year-old was showered with a round of applause from all inside the American Airlines Center.
Chants of "Thank you 'Taker" and "You deserve it" echoed around the arena and it took six minutes to start his speech.
Randy Orton could be seen leading superstars sat on the ramp and a few were also close to tears.
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The Undertaker rarely broke character in his career and is regarded as one of WWE chairman Vince McMahon's greatest creations.
McMahon was the man who inducted 'The Phenom' and it's only the second time he's done so, after 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin in 2009.
He gave a glowing endorsement of the seven-time world champion and said: "There is no one more deserving than the man we are about to induct tonight.
"This man is the most revered superstar in WWE history."
The Undertaker would then run through his entire time with the promotion and shouted out storyline brother Kane as well as Triple H, who announced his own retirement following a heart issue last week.
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Taker declared: "For the last 30 years, my identity has been 'Undertaker.' The Phenom, the Deadman, the American Badass, and the taker of souls. Tonight, I’m gonna take you behind the curtain and meet the man behind the black hat, Mark Calaway.
"Now that The Undertaker has entered the WWE Hall of Fame, you can rest assured that I will rest…in…peace."
He didn't shut the door completely though, in typical wrestler fashion.
The Undertaker put his iconic black outfit on, including the hat, and delivered three words before leaving the ring: "Never say never."
Considering his last bout was the critically acclaimed Boneyard Match against AJ Styles, it'd take some performance to beat it.
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Vader, the Steiner Brothers [Rick and Scott] and Queen Sharmell were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Shad Gaspard posthumously received the 2022 Warrior Award.
WrestleMania will be split over two nights once again and take place on Saturday and Sunday.