Former WWE Superstar Maven Huffman has stepped into the spotlight to address the heated debate swirling around The Undertaker’s podcast, Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway. In a revealing YouTube video, Maven candidly spoke about the controversial shakeups to the show, the sudden departure of original co-host Matt Lyda, and the intense backlash directed at The Undertaker and his wife, Michelle McCool. As the wrestling world digests these changes, Maven’s nuanced perspective offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain of WWE’s evolving media landscape[1].
The Shocking Shakeup: Matt Lyda’s Exit and WWE’s Corporate Touch
The controversy ignited earlier this year when Six Feet Under abruptly halted production in March 2025. Fans were left in suspense until June, when the podcast returned—now under the WWE umbrella—with a significant alteration: Matt Lyda, the show’s original co-host and a driving force behind its success, was suddenly gone. In his place sat Michelle McCool, a move that coincided with her induction into the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame and her new role on the WWE reality show LFG, replacing Mickie James[1].
For loyal listeners, the change was jarring. The chemistry between The Undertaker and Lyda had become a hallmark of the podcast, blending Taker’s legendary status with Lyda’s everyman perspective. Maven, speaking on his channel, pinpointed Lyda’s unique place in the show:
“Matt was the heel, the bad guy of the show. Matt was the easy target to a Taker who everyone loved… Matt was a driving force to help keep that show rolling. And he was one of those things that you truly don’t miss until it’s gone,” Maven reflected[1].
According to Maven, the decision to remove Lyda likely stemmed from WWE’s corporate acquisition of the podcast, not from any personal animosity. Still, Maven acknowledged that the transition was mishandled and that Lyda was “hurt” by his abrupt exclusion after years of dedication[1].
Nepotism Accusations and the Rise of Michelle McCool
The immediate backlash wasn’t just about Lyda’s exit. When Michelle McCool took over as co-host, fans accused the production of nepotism—a charge fueled by her simultaneous elevation within WWE programming. Many argued that the show lost its raw, unpredictable edge in favor of a more sanitized, corporate tone[1][2].
Maven addressed the optics, admitting that the situation looked questionable, but he was quick to defend McCool’s credentials. He argued that dismissing her as merely benefiting from her marriage to The Undertaker diminished her significant contributions to wrestling:
“Claiming it’s 100% nepotism undermines her talents and accomplishments within women’s wrestling,” Maven emphasized. “Michelle helped bridge the gap from the ‘Bra and Panties’ era to where women’s wrestling is today”[1].
Still, Maven conceded that the perception of favoritism was difficult to overcome, especially after McCool’s quick ascension on multiple WWE platforms within the same year.
The Undertaker’s Blunt Response and Fan Outrage
As criticism mounted, The Undertaker and McCool addressed the controversy directly on Six Feet Under. Rather than smoothing things over, The Undertaker’s brutally honest retort only fanned the flames:
“99.5% of the guys in the locker room would agree with my decisions,” he declared, challenging unhappy fans to “line up single file… and kiss my ass”[1].
This combative stance shocked many longtime supporters, who felt the show’s new direction—and its tone toward fans—betrayed the spirit that made Six Feet Under a hit. Maven, ever the diplomat, suggested that The Undertaker’s reaction was driven by deep disappointment:
“After 30 years of giving everything, he might have felt like he had more goodwill built up with the fan base. Not saying he didn’t, just saying that might be how he views it,” Maven observed, highlighting the emotional toll of perceived betrayal from his supporters[1].
Was WWE’s Move Inevitable? Inside Industry Reactions
Sources within WWE and the broader wrestling podcasting world say the shift was almost inevitable once Six Feet Under came under the WWE banner. One WWE insider told us, “Once WWE took over, there was never going to be full creative control for The Undertaker and Matt Lyda. The company wants everything to fit their brand, and sometimes that means tough decisions”[2].
Matt Lyda himself, speaking on Maven’s channel, alluded to a longstanding pact with The Undertaker: “We said if money ever comes in between us, we’re gonna shut the whole thing down. It’s a shame it ended this way, but business is business,” he shared[2].
Maven’s Verdict: Respect for The Deadman’s Autonomy
For all the drama, Maven ultimately sided with The Undertaker’s right to steer his post-wrestling career as he sees fit—even if that means making unpopular choices.
“If he wants to sit back in a BarcaLounger and watch college football all day and not have a podcast at all, he’s earned that right. And if he wants to have his wife on the couch with him… he’s earned that right too,” Maven asserted[1].
He encouraged critics to give the new iteration of Six Feet Under a fair shot, reminding fans that content—and the wrestling business itself—must evolve to survive.
What’s Next for Six Feet Under?
The relaunch of Six Feet Under as a WWE-backed “Watch Along” format marks a new chapter for the podcast. Whether it can recapture the unpredictable magic of its original run remains to be seen. Maven’s call for patience is echoed by other industry watchers, who note that wrestling podcasts are always in flux, evolving with their audiences and the shifting sands of the business.
For now, The Undertaker’s podcast stands as a microcosm of the larger tensions within WWE: the push-pull between legacy and corporate branding, between authenticity and mass appeal.
Backstage Sentiment: A WWE Insider Speaks
According to a source close to WWE creative, the company is closely monitoring fan feedback following the changes. “We understand the backlash, but we also believe in Mark and Michelle as a team. The hope is that, given time, fans will come around and appreciate the new energy they bring,” the insider revealed.
As Maven summed it up, “Wrestling is built on change. Sometimes it hurts, sometimes it’s exciting. Either way, The Undertaker has earned the right to do things his way”[1].
Whether fans will agree—or continue to voice their discontent—remains the next chapter in this ongoing WWE story.