In a recent episode of his Six Feet Under podcast, WWE legend The Undertaker (Mark Calaway) candidly discussed his infamous 2019 match against Goldberg at Super Showdown. The match is considered one of the worst bouts in the career of both men, and served as a reminder that age was wearing down the legacy of both legends.
WWE had promoted the match as a massive occasion, as one of WWE\'s biggest ever stars fought one of WCW\'s top performers in their first (and ultimately last) collision. Despite WWE hyping up the match, The Undertaker admitted that he failed to deliver in Saudi Arabia.
\"That Saudi thing was a little ugly... I stunk the joint out, man.\
Challenging Conditions
Competing in a different country can prove to be a logistical nightmare for wrestlers who may be jet-lagged when they step in the ring. For The Undertaker, it was extreme heat in Saudi Arabia that made the challenging match even tougher.
\"It was 9:00 at night and 98 degrees outside... You could chew the air it was so thick.\"
Goldberg’s Reputation & Circumstances
The match did not help the reputations of either man, as fans who had loved the pair during their respective hey-days felt pity or embarrasment to see the in-ring farce. Despite the match’s failure, The Undertaker defended Goldberg, stating he was \"thrust into something\" and praising him as a \"good dude.\" At nine minutes long, this match was the longest Goldberg had spent in the ring since his 2016 WWE return, and a concussion early into the bout only made things more difficult.
Reflection on His Career
On the podcast, the 59-year-old Undertaker also reflected on the evolving nature of professional wrestling, admitting that he wouldn’t physically survive some of today’s high-impact moves. As for his one-and-only showdown with Goldberg, the match remains a low point in the Deadman\'s career, and fans would see both men back in the ring soon after, hoping to wash the taste of this match away.
