What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes

Episode: The Undertaker
Date: January 21, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging and candid episode, Cody Rhodes welcomes wrestling legend The Undertaker (Mark Calaway) onto his podcast bus for an in-depth, unscripted conversation. The two icons trade never-before-heard stories from their time on the road, reflect on evolving locker room cultures, analyze wrestling psychology, and revisit career-defining moments—including insight into WrestleMania 40’s headline match. The discussion is infused with humor, humility, and reverence for the craft, offering a true masterclass on wrestling, showmanship, and the enduring bonds between performers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenges (and Joys) of Podcasting

Timestamps: 01:29–03:10

• Cody asks The Undertaker about his experience as a podcast host.
• Undertaker admits:
  “It has its moments...when you get that guest that doesn’t want to talk or is not a storyteller, it can be like pulling a tooth.” (02:06, Undertaker)
• Praise flows from Undertaker for Cody’s storytelling skills and ability to “take people on the ride.”

2. Wrestling Lore: The Gargling Whiskey Tradition

Timestamps: 04:43–08:18

• Cody inquires about the infamous 'gargling whiskey' ritual for locker room newcomers.
• Undertaker dispels myths, clarifying he never enforced it, but explains its origins: it started as a way for wrestlers to prove they hadn’t tossed their drinks instead of actually consuming them—“You had to gargle so that we knew you had the shot. That was the original origin of it.” (06:48, Undertaker)
• Cody reflects on the intimidating but meaningful initiation traditions and differences between legends and other personalities on tour.

3. Locker Room Camaraderie, Discipline, and Road Life

Timestamps: 09:53–12:42

• Both recall the intense, family-like bond formed on long tours (“17-day loops”).
• Undertaker emphasizes the necessity of keeping your circle together and the responsibility of handling oneself professionally at all times:
  “One person screws up, you’ve all screwed up.” (10:43, Undertaker)
• Stories abound of the necessity, and sometimes difficulty, of enforcing standards and grounding those who went too far.

4. Favorite Tours and International Experiences

Timestamps: 12:27–16:06

• Cody asks Undertaker about favorite overseas locations—Australia is “always incredible, energetic,” as is the UK and Germany.
• They recount a particularly grueling tour schedule, culminating in a million-dollar house in Sydney, and Taker’s locker room speech after a slew of lackluster, “jet-lagged” performances. “I ended up cutting a promo on our crew…most of them had never experienced the arena so empty you could throw a handful of rocks and not hit anybody.” (15:21, Undertaker)

5. Teaching Moments in the Ring: The “Hot Tag” and “Taker Spot”

Timestamps: 18:06–27:52

• Cody describes the “honeymonster tour” and gleefully recalls Undertaker's live-event-only, high-octane hot tag sequence—which Taker reveals was done as a teachable moment for younger talent: “That was all it was for me. That’s the best way for me to teach—to let you experience what a hot tag should be like.” (21:33, Undertaker)
• Discussion turns to wrestling psychology, the importance of live events for “finding out what works,” preventing injuries, and building true team chemistry.

6. Evolving the Craft: Lessons from the Past and Forward-Thinking

Timestamps: 27:52–29:45

• Cody reminisces about working different independent circuits and the importance—often overlooked—of rhythm, chemistry, and the repetitions granted by house shows:
  “To get a good flow with people is important. I [definitely] miss them.” (30:22, Cody)
• Undertaker echoes that striking the right balance between travel, work, and innovation is vital, yet live events remain a crucial laboratory for new ideas.

7. Heroes and Inspirations: Childhood Favorites

Timestamps: 30:51–33:21

• Cody quizzes Undertaker on his wrestling idols growing up—Taker surprises with Mil Mascaras as a childhood favorite, crediting his mystique and commitment to kayfabe. Story: Taker finds Mascaras showering with his mask on, reinforcing the importance of protecting the character.

8. Houston Wrestling & Territorial Stories

Timestamps: 33:21–37:39

• Vivid tales of attending Paul Boesch’s Houston Wrestling and the truly intimidating presence of The Sheik. “He convinced me he was gonna come over that barricade and get me, man.” (37:12, Undertaker)
• Cody and Taker discuss the past culture of fans seeking visceral catharsis through the spectacle, a marked difference from much of today’s fandom.

9. Chemistry and the Intangibles: Working With Greats

Timestamps: 39:06–41:33

• Cody and Taker analyze what made Shawn Michaels such a next-level performer—“He had that dog in him.” (40:03, Undertaker)
• Discussion of Tully Blanchard, Booker T, and fun stories about working “stiff” or with unpredictable moments in the ring.

10. The Art of Selling (And Not Selling)

Timestamps: 42:00–44:02

• Amusing anecdotes about The Rock checking himself on the Tron while delivering strikes, and the realness/surreality of performing under such visibility.

11. WrestleMania 40: The Magical Moment

Timestamps: 45:15–53:03

• Cody sets up the emotional importance of Taker's surprise appearance and pivotal spot during the WrestleMania 40 main event:
  “People look at that, it’s the greatest five minutes in wrestling history… But that moment, I describe it as actual magic.” (46:02–48:01, Cody)
• Undertaker shares humble reflections: “The only reason I moved so fast is because you don’t want to screw that up… You gotta be like, I can’t do the reveal like, ‘Hold up, guys! Old man’s moving in here.’” (51:45, Undertaker)
• He reveals he was less than a year removed from double knee replacement surgery during this moment.
• Both express heartfelt gratitude for the chance to honor the history and the future in that spot.

12. Evolving Pro Wrestling: AAA, Lucha Libre, and Fusion

Timestamps: 53:52–56:20

• Undertaker details his current work with AAA in Mexico—hoping to blend Lucha Libre’s legacy, culture, and family traditions with enhanced production and storytelling standards. “I’m taking the best of Lucha Libre and the best of what I know and trying to mold them together.” (54:10, Undertaker)
• Affirms he isn’t trying to make AAA like WWE, but to honor the unique aspects while evolving the product.

13. The Secret to Making Big-Time Gimmicks Work

Timestamps: 56:20–62:15

• Cody notes how modern young wrestlers want “proper lighting” and overblown presentation, but few can inhabit a character the way Taker (or Bray Wyatt) could.
• The Undertaker shares the key: “You have to believe, to a certain degree, that you are that gimmick.” (58:14, Undertaker)
• Emphasizes commitment, calculated public interactions, and adapting the character to every context.

14. Taker on Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels; Early Career Stories

Timestamps: 62:15–67:20

• Cody asks who Taker preferred wrestling—Bret or Shawn:
  “I probably had the very best chemistry with Shawn… But Bret forced me—to get me out of the comfort zone… to have really, really good matches.” (63:32–64:52, Undertaker)
• Taker credits Bret with pushing him beyond just “Frankenstein” style, forcing evolution and depth.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The importance of storytelling:
  “You’ve mastered that. You gotta take them on the ride, you gotta put them in the scenario.” (03:01–03:10, Undertaker to Cody)

• On locker room rituals:
  “You want to drink with us, that’s fine. If you don’t, you don’t have to. But the gargling… it’s so we knew you took the shot.” (05:48–06:48, Undertaker)

• On discipline:
  “One person screws up, you’ve all screwed up…” (10:43, Undertaker)

• On the “hot tag” sequence:
  “That was all it was for me. The best way for me to teach is to let you experience what a hot tag should be like.” (21:33, Undertaker)

• Reflecting on magic at WrestleMania 40:
  “I went like this, and when you winked, the lights went out. And I remember thinking ‘he’s shoot fucking magic.’” (48:01, Cody)

• The secret of building believable characters:
  “As corny as it sounds, you have to believe, to a certain degree, that you are that gimmick.” (58:14, Undertaker)

• On Bret vs. Shawn:
  “I could lose a bet—either one of them… But Bret forced me to learn how to work within the gimmick and have really, really good matches.” (63:17–64:51, Undertaker)

• Dream Team, Undertaker-style:
  “My dream team… my brother Kane, Shawn, Kurt Angle, Andre the Giant.” (88:53–89:47)

Other Standout Segments (with Timestamps)

• The Honey Monster Tour & Teaching Psychology: 18:06–27:52
• Locker room fights: Big Show vs. Khali: 76:49–79:13
• Royal Rumble 2008: Undertaker puts over young Cody: 82:47–87:54
• Debut at Survivor Series, working with Dusty Rhodes: 68:03–71:58

Final Thoughts

Cody and The Undertaker’s chemistry, mutual respect, and shared warmth for the wrestling business illuminate this episode. Every story, from bar rituals to WrestleMania main events, serves to highlight why these two—and the brotherhood they reflect—stand as pillars of the industry. Undertaker’s humility, generosity, and continued passion for mentoring shine throughout. It’s both a historical document and a guide to the soul of wrestling.

Next: Catch Part Two, with Cody visiting The Undertaker’s podcast.

Dream Team (Undertaker’s Picks, 88:53–89:47):

• Kane
• Shawn Michaels
• Kurt Angle
• Andre the Giant

This summary skips all advertisements and non-content sections, focusing solely on the rich wrestling stories, lessons, and candid perspectives from two of wrestling’s most influential figures.