The Undertaker, WWE’s legendary Deadman, has firmly closed the chapter on his iconic hat and coat persona, confirming in a recent interview that he will never return to that part of his character. Meanwhile, rising star Elayna Black, formerly known as Cora Jade, has passionately denied recent allegations of bullying within WWE’s locker room. These revelations, along with other noteworthy updates from the world of professional wrestling, shed light on the evolving landscape of WWE as it moves further into 2025.

The Undertaker Retires the Hat and Coat for Good

Marking the end of an era, The Undertaker officially retired from in-ring competition at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, culminating a career that spanned over three decades. Since then, he has made sporadic WWE appearances, but exclusively in his “American Badass” biker persona — riding a motorcycle and sporting a leather vest, rather than his once-famed “Deadman” look characterized by a dark trench coat and wide-brimmed hat[1][2].

On his biweekly “Six Feet Under” podcast, The Undertaker explained why he will never don the hat and coat again:

“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. It frustrates a lot of people who want to do business with me because they want that — the hat and coat are synonymous. When you hear Undertaker, that’s what you envision. But I’m at a point where I absolutely will not put it back on. That’s how I protect that legacy. There is no way I could do it, not even for an ad or promotion.”[1]

When wrestling commentator Bully Ray asked if any number could convince him to bring back the Deadman attire, The Undertaker deadpanned it would have to be a “stupid number” — making it clear there are no realistic chances of revival[1][4].

This decision is significant considering how central the hat and coat were to The Undertaker brand. Fans have long associated those visual markers with the mystique and dread that elevated his character to legendary status. The “Deadman” evolved multiple times over WWE’s history, with the “American Badass” era in the 2000s softening the character’s supernatural image, making him more relatable. Yet The Undertaker’s final professional stance is to preserve the legacy by retiring the original character’s aesthetic altogether.

Sources close to WWE confirm that while The Undertaker remains open to limited appearances and special events, any comeback will maintain the American Badass persona to avoid diminishing the indelible impact of his early gimmick[1][2].

Elayna Black (Cora Jade) Clears the Air on Bully Allegations

In other WWE news, Elayna Black, formerly known to fans as Cora Jade, has publicly addressed recent claims that she was a bullying figure backstage. Known for her presence in WWE’s NXT brand, Cora Jade has been a rising talent praised for her in-ring performances and character work. However, rumors surfaced accusing her of creating a toxic environment off-camera.

Black emphatically refuted these allegations in an interview with Fightful, explaining:

“I want to set the record straight. I have never been a bully to anyone in WWE. I work hard, respect my colleagues, and any misunderstandings or conflicts that have been portrayed are far from bullying. I take pride in supporting my fellow wrestlers and being a positive influence.”[1]

Her competence and professionalism have been recognized by multiple insiders, who describe her as a dedicated competitor eager to grow within WWE’s ranks. The situation appears to be a clash of personalities or misinformation rather than a deliberate pattern of harassment.

Additional WWE Updates and Insights

• The Undertaker’s Legacy Beyond the Ring: WWE.com continues to celebrate The Undertaker not only as a performer but also a mentor who shaped younger talents backstage. His influence on the locker room remains profound, even as he steps away from physical competition[2][5].

• Alternate Gimmick History: Wrestling historians and WWE lore enthusiasts recall a time when WWE considered giving The Undertaker a Viking gimmick before finalizing the Deadman persona. That idea was eventually scrapped, but it highlights how close WWE came to a very different legacy for the Phenom[3].

• WWE’s Evolution in Character Presentation: The decision to retire the Deadman look ties into WWE’s broader strategy to respect and protect its historic characters while evolving for modern audiences. The iconic hat and coat are now symbolic artifacts within WWE’s storytelling and nostalgic celebrations[1][2][4].

• The Future of NXT and Female Superstars: With Elayna Black’s name gaining spotlight following her defense against bullying claims, WWE’s focus on nurturing new and diverse female talent is more evident than ever. The promotion is emphasizing professionalism and respect backstage to foster a supportive culture[1].

According to WWE insiders interviewed by Wrestling Headlines and Fightful, these shifts represent WWE’s ongoing balancing act between honoring its past and pushing fresh storylines and talent forward.

This collection of updates—The Undertaker’s farewell to his Deadman image, Elayna Black’s rebuttal of bullying claims, and historical context around WWE’s character development—provides wrestling fans a glimpse into the current state of WWE’s evolving product and locker room culture.

As The Undertaker protects his legacy by retiring one of wrestling’s most enduring icons, emerging stars like Elayna Black redefine what it means to thrive in WWE’s demanding environment — proving that the show always goes on.

Sources: Wrestling Headlines, WWE.com, Fightful, “Six Feet Under” Podcast, Busted Open Wrestling