The Undertaker has revealed that he turned down WWE’s first offer of a Hall of Fame induction. 

The WWE legend was announced as the first inductee to WWE’s 2022 Hall of Fame class in February and has since been joined by Vader and Queen Sharmell. There was some discussion of The Deadman being the sole member of this year’s class, and even though that idea was nixed, a large part of the ceremony is set to be dedicated to The Undertaker’s career.

However, this isn’t the first time that The Phenom has been offered a spot in WWE’s Hall of Fame. Speaking to Dallas Morning News, the 56-year-old revealed he was first offered an induction in 2014, following his loss to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 30. But the multi-time world champion turned the invitation down. 

This is actually the second time that I was invited to the Hall Of Fame, so I wasn’t as shocked this time. I turned it down the first time because I knew I had unfinished business. I wasn’t at that place yet where I was ready to let go and say that it’s over. So, this time I have made my peace, and I am just honoured and humbled that they would induct me.

The Hall of Fame ceremony takes place on Friday 1 April following SmackDown and fans are eagerly awaiting WWE’s tribute to The Undertaker, who will be inducted by Vince McMahon - only the second Superstar the Chairman has done that for, after Stone Cold Steve Austin. However, the real-life Mark Calaway admits that taking to the podium for his speech comes with some nerves.

I’m a bit overwhelmed right now with the speech. It’s the closest thing that I’ve had to do since putting a WrestleMania match together. I’ve been pretty much pressure free for the last couple of years since the Boneyard match. After a 30 plus year career with the WWE, the speech, and trying to be different, and not give the same thing that most people do, it’s become a task all to itself.

The Undertaker debuted in WWE at the 1990 Survivor Series, as the mystery partner for Ted DiBiase’s team, and over three decades became one of the most well-known characters in the history of the business. He retired at the 2020 Survivor Series, just months after his final match, where he defeated AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36’s memorable Boneyard match.