The Undertaker officially retires during emotional WWE Survivor Series

'My time has come to let The Undertaker rest in peace,' the wrestler said in a farewell speech, marking the end of his 30-year career

The Undertaker, one of the most famous wrestlers in the history of the WWE, has officially retired.

It was a poignant moment as the wrestler marked the end of his 30-year career during the WWE Survivor Series on Sunday, November 22.

The Undertaker's farewell came during the final moments of the event, which, owing to restrictions imposed on account of the global pandemic, did not host a crowd at the venue in Florida, US.

The Undertaker announces his retirement from the WWE at Survivor Series 2020.

Wrestling luminaries including Booker T, Shane McMahon, Triple H and Kane entered the ring to welcome The Undertaker. Finally, the two-metre-tall heavyweight walked towards the ring in his trademark slow stride to make his succinct but emotional farewell speech.

“My time has come to let The Undertaker rest in peace,” the athlete, born Mark Calaway, said in his characteristic gruff and measured voice. A video recapping the wrestler’s three-decade career was then shown.

THIS.#SurvivorSeries #Undertaker30 #FarewellTaker pic.twitter.com/P6KAx9uJrS

— WWE (@WWE) November 23, 2020

A hologram of Paul Bearer, the wrestler’s late manager, was then projected as The Undertaker took a knee and a bell tolled.

After performing his characteristic throat-slashing gesture, Calaway left the ring one last time and walked up the ramp, stopping to look back at the cameras and throw his fist up.

The end of an era, for real this time. 😢 Wrestling will never be the same. A true legend. So many memorable moments, that I'll always remember. #survivorseries #Undertaker30 https://t.co/Ie0qmJG5zz

— CFCkitpul (@SoUlkit725) November 23, 2020

Fans were quick to take to social media to express their sadness at seeing The Undertaker retire. “The end of an era, for real this time,” Twitter user Lampardu wrote. “Wrestling will never be the same. A true legend. So many memorable moments, that I'll always remember.”

Another Twitter user, Heather, wrote: “This is so sad, man. Undertaker deserved to give his goodbye in front of a live crowd so he could truly feel the love and appreciation from fans!”

Looking back on his legacy, The Undertaker doesn't have anything left to prove, after cementing his place as one of the greatest WWE wrestlers of all time.

In an interview with The National earlier this month, he said: "I've been incredibly blessed. I've had incredible people to work with and people surrounding me to help get us where we are today."