Undertaker possibly developing arthritis?

Photo courtesy of World Wrestling Entertainment


While browsing several wrestling-related message boards, I came across a post that had the title "Undertaker showing early sings of arthritis." Interested, I clicked on the headline and read that according to wrestlinginc.com, Undertaker (pictured above) has reportedly starting showing signs of arthritis as a result of his noticeable limping in the ring during his matches on the overseas tour and that the knee he had arthroscopic surgery on is in worse shape than first thought.

As expected, most people who responded to the post were irate, saying the story was false, Taker isn't that old (43), takes time off each year and wanted to know exactly what the beginning signs of arthritis are. However, just because the story could be false doesn't mean one should dis-credit that possibility that after a 24-year career in professional wrestling, which started in WCCW in 1984, father-time maybe catching up with Taker.

Don't get me wrong, Taker is in the best shape of his career and has lasted in the industry of professional wrestling than most of his fans have been alive. However, we are mortals and our bodies though strong, can't defy time. It shouldn't surprise anyone that Taker's body would show wear-and-tear from the nearly two decades-and-a-half of punishment he has put it through.

Perfect example is Shawn Michaels, who despite being one of the best wrestlers of all time, has two destroyed knees, one of which may need plastic down the line, as a result of the abuse he put his body through.

Even if one takes breaks, such as Taker, the damage done to the limbs is irreversible and while surgery may fix things, in the end, that person is never the same.