The Undertaker Admits Using Steroids Under Incredible Pressure to Be Big

[RoidVisor.com]

The Undertaker Admits Using Steroids Under Incredible Pressure to Be Big

 

[MuscleMecca Crew]

WWE’s The Undertaker says the bigger guys felt the most pressure to be big and jacked.
The Undertaker, who was born as Mark William Calaway, finally admitted doing what everyone always suspected – that he regularly used anabolic steroids during his professional wrestling career with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Professional wrestling during the 1980s and 1990s was characterized by a greater muscularity than what was seen in previous periods. The Undertake described the incredible pressure to fit into this hypermuscular ideal during a recent appearance of The Joe Rogan Experience.

“There was a time where everyone had to be… You had to be big, jacked, right,” The Undertaker told Rogan. “Especially the guys the 6 foot 8, the big guys – there was a stigma, you’ve gotta be 300 pounds. ‘It’s in our head – nobody gives a shit. They’re interested in the characters and what you do on TV. But in our heads, ‘fuck, I’ve gotta be 330 pounds.’”

Steroid use among professional wrestlers was commonplace.

The Undertaker’s admission that he used steroids was no real shock to anyone. Several popular wrestlers that were contemporaries were also known steroid users.
The Ultimate Warrior, Superstar Billy Graham, Hulk Hogan, Rick Rude, Lex Lugar, and Eddie Guerrero are a few of the big WWE stars that have either admitted using steroids or were otherwise linked to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The Undertaker noted that he performed during a much different period. He claimed that the modern-day culture of professional wrestling has changed considerably. For instance, muscular size is no longer a prerequisite to succeed in the WWE; performance matters more than appearance — at least according to him.
Furthermore, The Undertaker suggested that the WWE’s wellness policy prohibiting the non-medical use of steroids has made a big difference. Whether or not that is true is debatable.
Yet at the same time, The Undertaker wondered how some current WWE talent could achieve such muscularity. He noted that some pro wrestlers are still inexplicably muscular. The Undertaker acknowledged that he could never have achieved such muscularity even when he was on steroids.


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[MuscleMecca Crew]

The Undertaker and Steroid Use in Wrestling​

The Physical Evolution of The Undertaker: Natural Athlete to Wrestling Icon​

Mark Calaway, famously known as The Undertaker, evolved from a collegiate basketball player into one of the most iconic figures in WWE history. Standing at 6'10" and weighing over 300 pounds during his peak, his intimidating presence became a cornerstone of WWE’s Attitude Era and beyond.

Before wrestling, Calaway played basketball at Angelina College and Texas Wesleyan University, even sharing the court with Hakeem Olajuwon. His athletic background was genuine, with former teammates recalling his explosive movement and dominance. But the physical transformation from lanky basketball player to muscular phenom begged the question: how much of his mass was natural?

Mark Calaway’s Steroid Admission: A Product of a Ruthless Era​

During a 2021 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, The Undertaker confirmed what many speculated—he used anabolic steroids during his wrestling career. His admission pulled back the curtain on an era where aesthetic size often trumped health.

“You had to be jacked… you had to be 300 pounds. It’s in our head.”

The pressure was both cultural and systemic. The '80s and '90s wrestling scene was saturated with ultra-muscular physiques. Steroids weren’t just tolerated—they were often expected. Wrestlers had to look like superheroes to keep their spot on the card.

WWE’s Wellness Policy and the Shift Toward Clean Competition​

The death of Eddie Guerrero in 2005 catalyzed change. WWE launched its Wellness Policy, targeting the abuse of anabolic steroids, painkillers, and other performance-enhancing drugs. Under the policy:

• Random drug testing became routine.
• Violations resulted in suspensions or firings.
• The image of “larger-than-life” slowly shifted toward athleticism and functionality.

Interestingly, Calaway was never reported to have failed a drug test post-policy, despite getting more muscular in his later years. By the late 2000s and into his 50s, The Undertaker had committed to clean, heavy lifting and even installed a private gym built by Sorinex, indicating a lifestyle pivot away from PED reliance.

The Public’s Forgiveness and Perception​

Fans have largely forgiven Calaway. Why?

• He was honest and self-aware about the culture at the time.
• Steroid use was rampant, and he wasn’t alone.
• His longevity and consistency speak volumes about his work ethic, regardless of drug use.

Moreover, unlike several of his peers, The Undertaker avoided scandal, health collapse, or arrests tied to steroid abuse—a key differentiator in how he is remembered.

Wrestling’s Changing Physique Standard​

In the past, "jacked" meant bulky, bloated, and heavily dosed. Today, top stars like Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and Ricochet represent a more balanced, athletic, and arguably healthier physique. Clean bodybuilding and disciplined diet now lead the path to stardom.

Mark Calaway’s honesty helps bridge this gap. He acknowledges the toxic mindset that once governed locker rooms and celebrates the modern generation’s cleaner approach. His journey—from steroid-enhanced to disciplined elder statesman—is a reflection of wrestling’s broader evolution.

Final Thoughts: Legacy Over Lab Results​

The Undertaker's legacy isn’t built on steroids—it’s built on endurance, psychology, and a character that transcended time. His admission doesn’t tarnish his image; it humanizes it. In an industry shaped by physical extremes and mental burdens, his story is one of survival, adaptation, and ultimate redemption.