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WWE icon The Undertaker and the amazing pictures that reveal why retiring wrestling icon has BSK tattoo on his stomach

AT THE end of every match, the legendary Undertaker would pull down the straps of his singlet to reveal a huge tattoo that reads “BSK Pride” across his abdomen.

But what did it actually stand for?

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The Undertaker used to reveal his 'BSK Pride' tattoo after each matchCredit: WWE

Well, it’s actually gang ink – a reference to his backstage crew in the 1990s who stood opposite to Shawn Michaels’ “Kliq”, which ran roughshod over the WWE locker room at the same time.

The letters BSK stand for “Bone Street Krew” – named after the gang’s love of playing dominoes (or as they’re sometimes called, “bones”).

The Krew travelled together and members were each branded with BSK tattoos.

Wrestling folklore says they acted as locker room leaders – and peace keepers – during a turbulent time in WWE behind-the- scenes.

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To become an official member of BSK a wrestler had to be given the nod by Undertaker and Yokozuna.

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Who was in the Bone Street Krew?

The BSK was made up several well-known wrestlers.

The Undertaker – WWE’s greatest living (or undead) legend. Multi-time champ and a veteran of 27 years.

Yokozuna – the 600lb Samoan played a Japanese sumo wrestler. He was a two-time World Champion and is rumoured to have been a locker room authority and the founder of BSK.

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Yokozuna was one of the other big dogs of the Bone Street KrewCredit: WWE
Undertaker's manager Paul Bearer was another member of the groupCredit: WWE
Paul Bearer was called 'uncle' by the rest of the groupCredit: WWE

Rikishi – Popular Attitude Era superstar who arrived in WWE in 1992 as Fatu, a member of the Headshrinkers tag team. He’s the father of SmackDown tag champs, The Usos.

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The Godfather – Real name Charles Wight, he also played Papa Shango and Kama. He was a friend of Undertaker’s from their time wrestling together in USWA.

Savio Vega – Puerto Rican wrestler who was with WWE from 1994 to 1998. He was the first member to get a BSK tattoo.

Henry Godwinn – WWE’s resident wrestling pig farmer. Real name Mark Canterbury, he was a two-time tag champion with storyline cousin Phineas.

Mideon – AKA Phineas Godwinn, he was the last member to be inducted into the BSK and later became part of Undertaker’s on-screen Ministry faction.

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Crush – Originally the third member of Demolition, Crush – real name Brian Adams – was an on-off singles star in the 1990s and an original member of the Nation of Domination.

Paul Bearer – Undertaker’s longtime manager and friend. He was a real-life mortician and brought some ghoulish realism to the Deadman’s character.

Mr Fuji – Devious manager famous for tossing salt into the eyes of his wrestlers’ opponents.

He managed Yokozuna on-screen and was called “Uncle” by the BSK.

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The Undertaker retired at WrestleMania 33 last monthCredit: WWE
Former multiple-time world champion the Undertaker dominated WWE for nearly three decadesCredit: WWE

Did they appear together in the ring too?

The Kliq were notorious for working matches and feuds against each other, because they were only willing to make each other look good in the ring.

BSK also worked together – but unlike the Kliq there was no political agenda.

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The Undertaker had long running feuds with both Yokozuna and Godfather (as Kama), while Godfather, Savio Vega, and Crush were all part of the “gang wars” in 1997.

Undertaker, Henry Godwinn, Rikishi (then Fatu), and Savio Vega also teamed together at the Survivor Series 1995.

Was there really a rivalry with The Kliq?

Internet rumours say there was a locker room war between BSK and The Kliq – Michaels, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, X-Pac, and Triple H – but there’s only a little truth to it.

Savio Vega has recounted how he once got into a shoving match with Kevin Nash over a dispute in a bar, but otherwise the gangs co-existed peacefully.

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In fact, Savio Vega and Scott Hall were real-life friends – and played buddies on screen during Savio’s singles push in 1995.

In an interview with WWE.com, The Godfather said: “I hear stories that there were wars between us and The Kliq.

Shawn Michaels was one of the leaders of the Kliq

“I don’t remember any problems with any group. I don’t think The Kliq would have messed with The BSK in the first place.”

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Shawn Michaels said: “We all hung out at the same places, anyway. We were friendly.

“At some point, the rumour started that The BSK started because of The Kliq, but I don’t know who started the stirring of the pot that we didn’t get along.”

Though animosity between the groups might have been fabricated, most fans suspect that the presence of BSK – led by Taker and Yoko – would have kept the Kliq in check.

So were BSK real locker room leaders?

Both Undertaker and Yokozuna are famed for their roles backstage and both commanded – and demanded – respect.

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Also speaking to WWE.com Mideon recalled how during a tour of Germany Undertaker broke up a bar fight involving a wrestler.

He said: “I’m trying to pull them apart, and I swear to God, it was like a John Wayne movie.

“The doorway lit up and The Undertaker came walking through it. He grabbed both of them by the throat with one hand and posted them against the cement wall.

“He took the wrestler out of the bar and gave him a talking to.”

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The Undertaker ended the career of Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania
The Undertaker's Bone Street Krew were the locker room chiefs throughout the late 90sCredit: WWE

What happened to BSK?

Even during the Monday Night Wars, with talent jumping ship to WWE, the core members of the Bone Street Krew stayed loyal to WWE.

But Yokozuna had to leave WWE at the end of 1996 due to his weight issues. He died in 2000.

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Savio Vega left WWE in 1998, while Henry Godwinn departed in 1999.

Mideon appeared in various storylines – including the awful “Naked Mideon” gimmick – until 2001.

The Godfather left in 2002 but makes sporadic returns as was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year.

But there continues to be a BSK connection in WWE to this day.

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Rikishi and Yokozuna are part of the famous Anoa’i wrestling family – and cousins to Roman Reigns, the man who retired Undertaker at WrestleMania 33.

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