WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker recently voiced strong criticism about the attitude and work ethic of modern WWE talent during an episode of his Six Feet Under podcast. While praising standouts like Gunther and Seth Rollins for their dedication, The Deadman expressed disappointment over the perceived complacency and distractions backstage, highlighting a significant cultural shift in WWE’s locker room environment[1][5].

The Undertaker—who built his legendary career on relentless focus and respect for the craft—did not hold back. “I’m a notoriously old school dude,” he told his guest Gunther. “It’s disheartening sometimes when I go to the shows, and if you can even find talent backstage watching matches… most of them are filming TikToks, doing all this other stuff. Even when I was on the road full time, if you weren’t sitting there watching the monitor, it was gonna be a bad day for you.” This candid reflection reveals his belief that modern wrestlers are less engaged when it comes to learning by observing their peers[1][5].

The remarks sparked significant discussion within the wrestling community, especially as backstage TikTok videos and social media presence have become increasingly common among WWE superstars. The Undertaker’s comments appear to lament a lost era when wrestlers would vigilantly analyze every match and segment live, building their craft through observation and continuous study.

Sources close to WWE confirm The Undertaker’s frustration stems from repeated observations during live events. Despite his retirement from full-time competition and Hall of Fame status, he remains deeply involved backstage and reportedly shares similar sentiments with veteran colleagues. WWE.com insiders note that The Deadman still commands respect in the locker room and his opinions carry weight among wrestlers and management alike[5].

However, not everyone agrees with The Undertaker’s perspective. Former WWE star Lance Storm responded to the comments with a nuanced view reflecting how wrestling lifestyles have evolved. On social media, Storm pointed out that today’s talent rarely works full-time weekly like previous generations. “Talent aren’t on the road full time anymore. They work one day a week. They have six days to watch matches back. Times change. Many only see their friends one day a week now,” he wrote, emphasizing the personal and professional balance modern performers must maintain[3][4].

Storm’s perspective sheds light on the structural shifts in WWE’s scheduling and how wrestlers manage their downtime, including downtime spent on platforms like TikTok. He suggested that allowing some casual off-ring moments does not necessarily equate to a lack of passion or professionalism. Rather, it reflects changing times and evolving ways wrestlers connect with fans and decompress backstage[3].

Despite this defense, The Undertaker’s viewpoint aligns with a vocal segment of WWE veterans who worry about the dilution of wrestling tradition amid today’s entertainment-driven landscape. By specifically praising wrestlers like Gunther—whom he called out as the only one he would come out of retirement for—The Deadman signals that passion and dedication in WWE’s current roster still exist but feel increasingly rare[1].

The Undertaker’s frankness reminds fans and WWE talent of the demanding standards once synonymous with WWE’s golden eras. His call for wrestlers to actively engage by watching each other’s matches highlights a core element of professional growth that some fear has been overlooked. His message serves both as a critique and a challenge: to rekindle the fierce passion and work ethic that defined wrestling royalty.

As WWE continues to navigate its identity in a digital age, this backstage culture clash exemplified by The Undertaker’s remarks and Lance Storm’s response underlines tensions between tradition and modernity. Whether future WWE superstars will heed The Deadman’s call remains to be seen, but his iconic voice ensures the conversation about passion and professionalism in pro wrestling will continue.

Sources:

• The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast with Gunther (via PWMania, NoDQ)
• Sportskeeda coverage of Undertaker’s backstage criticism
• Lance Storm’s social media response analyzed by Fightful and 411mania
• WWE.com and insider reports on backstage culture at live WWE events