The Undertaker Retires From WWE: Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, and More Celebrate His Career

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, John Cena, and many others have saluted The Undertaker after the wrestler bid a "final farewell" to his 30-year career in the ring.

The Undertaker, whose real is Mark William Calaway, officially announced his retirement from WWE in a heartfelt statement that he delivered at the WWE Survivor Series on Sunday night. "For 30 long years, I've made that slow walk to this ring and have laid people to rest time and time again. And now my time has come. My time has come to let The Undertaker rest in peace," he said.

"My time has come to let The @undertaker Rest In Peace."#ThankYouTaker #FarewellTaker #SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/vIZShTdwmi
— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2020

In response to the announcement, a whole host of former and current wrestlers celebrated the WWE superstar and his illustrious career in sports-entertainment. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was one of the first to enter the social media ring of tributes, as he recounted one of his earliest memories of The Deadman, exactly 30 years on from his on-screen debut.

30yrs ago today, he made his iconic #SurvivorSeries debut.

Like EVERYONE - I was in awe as a rookie in the @WWE when his first words pierced my soul as he walked in the dressing room and said, “Muthafucka” True story

Honored to share the ring w you, my brother. #ThankYouTaker pic.twitter.com/ULlppOQlCa
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 22, 2020

WWE CEO Vince McMahon, John Cena, Triple H, Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, and several others joined Johnson on social media in paying tribute to The Undertaker, who previously acknowledged how his Boneyard match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania could serve as the "perfect ending" to his legendary 30-year plus career.

Soon after the announcement, #ThankYouTaker started trending on Twitter, as many people shared tweets of gratitude towards the wrestler for being a great entertainer in the WWE circuit while others highlighted specific memories and matches in recognition of all of the souls that The Undertaker has laid to rest in the ring over the past three decades.

The measuring stick. The locker room leader. The Phenom. Three decades ago today, @Undertaker changed the landscape of sports-entertainment. His legacy is incomparable, his impact immeasurable. #ThankYouTaker. #Undertaker30 pic.twitter.com/TWm1Ihww8U
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) November 22, 2020

After three decades of @undertaker committing wholeheartedly to the @WWE, tonight we bear witness to the end of an extraordinary body of work. For all the in ring moments and as a member of the @WWEUniverse, I say #ThankYouTaker! #SurvivorSeries #Undertaker30
— John Cena (@JohnCena) November 22, 2020

For every ride I’ll never forget, #ThankYouTaker #SurvivorSeries pic.twitter.com/0HMT5T8xVg
— Triple H (@TripleH) November 22, 2020

Congratulations To The One And Only @undertaker! I Can’t Say How Much You Meant To Me Personally. With A Career So Extraordinary, You Deserve The Greatest Farewell Of All! WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/rJx6WksCt2
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) November 22, 2020

Incredible match!!! Congrats on 30 Amazing years Deadman! @undertaker https://t.co/cZfX35lETQ
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) November 21, 2020

We’ve faced each other in every type of match and created some of the most special moments in my career. Standing across the ring from @undertaker was always a daunting experience but I’m excited to hear the gong toll one last time. #FarewellTaker #SurvivorSeries
— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) November 22, 2020

For 30 years, The Undertaker has thrilled audiences around the globe with his macabre theatrics and his unparalleled athletic ability. If you want to look back on some of his greatest moments, check out our previous ranking of The Phenom at WrestleMania, from worst to best or read all about his dreaded Tombstone piledriver move in our slideshow below.