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Persona of The Undertaker · This profile covers his "American Badass" / "Big Evil" biker era (2000–2003).
WWE · 2000–03
WWEUndisputed Champ 20022000–2003

American Badass & Big Evil

The American Badass was The Undertaker's biker persona from 2000 to 2003 — the Deadman reinvented as a tobacco-chewing, Harley-riding tough guy. He rode to the ring to Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit, turned heel as the meaner "Big Evil," and beat Hulk Hogan for the Undisputed WWE Championship in 2002 before the Deadman returned at WrestleMania XX.

  • Debuted Judgment Day · May 21, 2000
  • Persona Biker / real-world tough guy
  • Entrance Motorcycle · Kid Rock / Limp Bizkit
  • Heel form "Big Evil"
  • Top title Undisputed WWE Championship (2002)
  • Deadman returns WrestleMania XX · 2004

The day the Deadman rode a Harley

After an eight-month absence, Calaway returned at Judgment Day on May 21, 2000 — not as the supernatural mortician, but roaring to the ring on a motorcycle to lay out the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. The Undertaker had become the American Badass: bandana, sunglasses, sleeveless shirts, and his real tattoos on display, a character drawn straight from Calaway's own personality.

The entrance music defined the era — Kid Rock's "American Bad Ass" gave the persona its name, and Limp Bizkit's "Rollin'" soundtracked his WrestleMania X-Seven walk to face Triple H. After turning heel he cut his hair, hardened the character, and became "Big Evil" — widely regarded as the strongest phase of the biker run.

The peak came at Judgment Day on May 19, 2002, when he defeated Hollywood Hulk Hogan for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He later dropped it to The Rock in a triple threat at Vengeance. In 2004, the biker experiment ended: the Deadman returned at WrestleMania XX — with Paul Bearer, the gong, and the coat — but kept the grounded toughness the biker years had built.

Signature matches of the era

ResultOpponentEventDateStipulation
WinHulk HoganJudgment Day2002Undisputed WWE Championship
WinTriple HWrestleMania X-Seven2001Singles
LossBrock LesnarNo Mercy2002Hell in a Cell · WWE Title

See the complete ledger on the main Undertaker profile.

FAQ

What was the American Badass Undertaker?
The Undertaker's biker persona from 2000–2003. He dropped the supernatural Deadman gimmick, rode a motorcycle to the ring to Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit, and wrestled as a real-world tough guy. The heel version was "Big Evil."
Did the American Badass win a world title?
Yes — he beat Hollywood Hulk Hogan for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Judgment Day on May 19, 2002, then dropped it to The Rock at Vengeance that July.
When did the Deadman come back?
At WrestleMania XX (March 14, 2004), defeating Kane, with Paul Bearer reintroduced — a hybrid that kept the biker era's toughness.