The Undertaker Gave Locker Room Pep Talk As WWE Influence Grows

The Undertaker remains a locker room leader.

On the January 6 edition of Monday Night Raw, WWE’s flagship show made its debut on Netflix, and the stars were out in force.

This saw The Undertaker come to the ramp as the American Badass to celebrate with and endorse the Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley after she beat Liv Morgan to claim the gold. However, that wasn’t the only impression he made on the show.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Cody Rhodes was asked whether there was anyone who gave pep talks in the locker room. The American Nightmare said something like that isn’t a regular occurrence, but he did recall The Undertaker speaking to everyone ahead of WWE’s Netflix debut.

“I think the last time we had somebody talk to the whole group was Undertaker talking about Netflix Raw and just what that meant, which was really great because some of the younger ones might not realize who The Undertaker was as an actual in-ring performer. And for him to explain how big of a deal this was, that this was happening, that was one where you wanted to run through a brick wall.”

Rhodes went on to say that similar talks are often less formal, while crediting Paul Heyman and Michael Hayes for their ability to lead and lift talent when needed.

“The other guys who will do it, who are more subtle, it’s not a pep talk — it’s more of a pull you aside and hit you with something that’s like, ‘Whoo,’ is, again, Mr. Heyman. He doesn’t take me as one of his guys. I usually am fighting his guys, but when he says something, it matters.

And Michael Hayes, Michael Hayes is one that — he’s just a wild, he’ll hit you with something or pull the curtain back and show you all of the people and where they are. Just, again, don’t want to take any of this for granted… Those are good pep-talk guys. Hunter’s good too. Now that I think about it, we got a lot of good leaders on the squad, for sure.”

The Undertaker Takes Key AAA Role

The comments from Cody Rhodes come after The Undertaker was named as one of the “driving forces” behind WWE’s redevelopment of AAA. The Deadman has taken a key role in the creative structure alongside Triple H, Jeremy Borash, Konnan, and Dorian Roldan.

‘Taker has been on hand backstage for all of the AAA events run under the WWE banner in 2025.

The Undertaker has previously spoken about how much he struggled to find a place within wrestling once his in-ring career came to an end in 2020. Prior to working at the Performance Center and later with AAA and WWE LFG, he admitted he found it difficult to watch the company’s events.

H/t to f4wonline