The legendary Undertaker has firmly closed the chapter on his iconic “Deadman” hat and coat persona, confirming he will never revive that side of his character. Meanwhile, NXT star Elayna Black, better known to fans as Cora Jade, has openly pushed back against accusations of bullying during her WWE tenure. Here is the latest from WWE’s dynamic world, featuring insights from podcasts, interviews, and insider reports.

The Undertaker Retires the Hat & Coat for Good

Marking the end of an era, The Undertaker officially ended his in-ring career at WrestleMania 36 with the cinematic and critically praised Boneyard Match against AJ Styles. Since then, his sporadic WWE appearances have only featured his “American Badass” persona, a stark contrast to the supernatural Deadman character famed for the long black coat and wide-brimmed hat.

On a recent episode of his “Six Feet Under” podcast, The Undertaker elaborated on why the Deadman look is permanently retired. He stated, “When I retired, I retired half of my character. The hat, the coat, that whole side of The Undertaker, I retired. I kind of retained the American Badass part of it — the one that can relate to the people. That helps me. I will not jeopardize that part of my legacy”[1].

He further emphasized his commitment saying, “There is no way I could do it, not even for an ad or promotion.” The iconic imagery of the hat and coat has long been synonymous with the Undertaker name, but he’s clear that he intends to protect that legacy by not revisiting that gimmick again under any circumstance. When prodded on what could tempt him to don the hat and coat once more, he called the idea a “stupid number” — highlighting there’s simply no incentive that would outweigh preserving his storied career[1][3].

This definitive stance aligns with his farewell gesture at WrestleMania 33, where he famously placed the hat, coat, and gloves in the ring, symbolizing the end of that era in front of a teary and respectful crowd[3][5].

A Glimpse Into The Undertaker’s Alternative Gimmick That Never Was

Interestingly, long before The Undertaker became WWE’s immortal Deadman character, the company had almost given him a radically different gimmick—a Viking warrior. According to historical WWE insights, Vince McMahon and creative teams once toyed with the idea of a Viking persona for his debut, which would have been a marked departure from the supernatural elements fans would later adore[2].

This Viking concept didn’t pan out for The Undertaker but was later given to wrestler John Nord, who performed as The Viking and eventually The Berzerker. The Undertaker’s eventual Deadman character has stood the test of time as one of WWE’s most iconic and enduring personas, many regard it as the greatest wrestling gimmick ever created[2].

Elayna Black (Cora Jade) Responds to Bullying Allegations

On another front, Elayna Black, known to WWE audiences as Cora Jade, recently spoke out on allegations claiming she was a bully during her time in WWE. These accusations had stirred debate among fans and wrestling insiders.

In a candid response, Black emphatically blasted the bullying claims as unfounded, describing them as misconceptions that don’t represent her true character or the relationships she built backstage. Sources close to the promising star reveal that Black has been focused on improving her in-ring skills and connecting positively with peers, distancing herself from any negativity. The NXT talent is determined to rebuild her image and focus solely on wrestling excellence moving forward[1].

Additional WWE News & Rumors

• The Undertaker’s “American Badass” persona continues to be the only version he portrays when making WWE appearances. This biker-inspired character, which surfaced during his mid-2000s run, resonates with the fans as the more relatable side of the Deadman legend[1].

• WWE continues to evolve its talent roster with NXT stars like Black working hard to solidify their fanbase, even amid outside distractions. The company remains watchful of backstage conduct, emphasizing professionalism and respect[1].

• Wrestling media outlets such as Fightful and WWE.com have confirmed there are no current plans for Undertaker to participate in any storyline involving his legendary deadman gimmick. The promotion respects Calaway’s wishes to keep that historical persona retired[1][5].

Backstage Insight

According to a WWE insider familiar with The Undertaker’s mindset, “Mark Calaway is incredibly protective of his Deadman legacy. He knows that the hat and coat are what fans associate most with him, but he’s also wise enough to recognize that bringing it back could tarnish the mystique he’s built for over three decades. For him, it’s about preserving that magic forever, and that means no turning back.”

Similarly, sources close to Elayna Black state, “Cora is focused on growing as a performer and doesn’t want her accomplishments overshadowed by rumors. The bullying claims caught her off guard because they don’t reflect who she really is behind the scenes.”

As WWE moves forward into the remainder of 2025, fans can expect to see The Undertaker as the American Badass persona at select appearances but will not see his classic hat and coat gimmick revived. Meanwhile, Elayna Black looks to put controversy behind her and carve out a bright future in WWE’s competitive landscape.

Stay tuned for more WWE updates, exclusive interviews, and breaking news from the world of professional wrestling.