Why WWE Icon REJECTED ESPN Nude Photoshoot to Protect the Deadman Legacy
Some legends don’t break character — not even for ESPN’s most daring shoot.
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, one of the most iconic figures in wrestling history, recently revealed on his Six Feet Under podcast that he flat-out refused a major opportunity: a nude photoshoot for ESPN’s popular Body Issue.
Known for keeping his Deadman persona shrouded in mystique for over three decades, The Undertaker (real name Mark Calaway) wasn’t about to strip away that aura—literally or figuratively.
“That’s all I have is my character,” Taker told co-hosts Michelle McCool (his wife) and WWE star Charlotte Flair, both of whom tried convincing him to take the shoot. “They do not want to see anything under the black.”
Charlotte—who herself appeared in The Body Issue—joked that a WWE turnbuckle could tastefully hide the goods:
“Taker right there in front of the turnbuckle with the WWE logo. He can flex on one side.”
But Undertaker wouldn’t budge, sticking to his philosophy that “protecting the gimmick” outweighed any mainstream exposure. Even McCool revealed she couldn’t sway him despite years of trying.
“The one thing I asked him for, he shot down hard. Come on, man,” McCool said, laughing.
“He’s like, ‘I’ll walk around the house naked all the time, but I’m not doing that for a magazine.’”
Charlotte tried to bring the vision to life anyway, playfully suggesting:
“‘Undertaker is dead. Mark Callaway has arrived.’”
But in typical stoic fashion, The Deadman didn’t blink.
Ironically, the discussion took a more serious turn when McCool admitted that her marriage to the wrestling legend has led to death threats from overly obsessed fans who can’t separate the character from the man.
🪦 MainEvent.News Spin:
In an era where kayfabe is practically extinct, The Undertaker’s unwavering commitment to character is both rare and admirable. While modern stars chase viral moments and crossover fame, Taker remains a symbol of old-school loyalty to the craft. Refusing to pose for ESPN’s Body Issue wasn’t just about modesty — it was about preserving one of the most iconic personas in wrestling history. As WWE barrels into its most stacked weekend of the summer, with NXT Great American Bash and Saturday Night's Main Event on July 12, followed by the highly anticipated WWE Evolution on July 13, it’s clear: some icons don’t need to bare skin to make headlines—they just keep being legends.
Check out the the full "Six Feet Under podcast" from July 10, 2025 below:
