Wrestling Icon The Undertaker Shares His Displeasure with “Young Rock” Casting and Costume Choices
Summary
– The Undertaker expressed dissatisfaction with his portrayal in the TV series “Young Rock,” particularly criticizing the hat used for his character.
– Despite actor Josh Rawiri’s efforts, fans and The Undertaker were not fully pleased with how The Phenom was depicted.
– “Young Rock,” which took creative liberties in its portrayal of wrestling icons, was canceled after three seasons.
In a candid reveal during a Patreon exclusive Q&A for his “Six Feet Under” podcast, The Undertaker voiced his dissatisfaction with how he was portrayed in the sitcom “Young Rock.” The series, which explored the formative years of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and featured various wrestling legends, included a character representing The Undertaker, played by actor Josh Rawiri.
The Undertaker, Mark Calaway, pointed out his displeasure with the costume, particularly the hat, which he felt did not accurately represent the iconic look he cultivated during his WWE career. His critique highlighted the challenges of casting real-life figures in biographical portrayals, especially in a comedic context where accuracy can sometimes be sacrificed for entertainment.
“It’s a comedy, right? So there has to be some elements of casting in a comedic light. What pissed me off about the whole damn thing was my hat. They gave me some kind of just black clown hat.”
The wrestling icon even joked about casting the character of The Rock in a hypothetical sitcom about his own life, suggesting he might choose an unexpected actor like Steve Urkel, played by Jaleel White, to enact a bit of playful revenge for the liberties taken in “Young Rock.”
While “Young Rock” was designed to entertain and offer insight into The Rock’s early life, it faced criticism not only from The Undertaker but also from fans keen on more accurate representations of wrestling legends like Steve Austin and The Undertaker himself. Despite these criticisms, the show provided a unique glimpse into the wrestling world through the lens of one of its biggest stars, although it was ultimately canceled after three seasons.
