WWE broadcaster Jackie Redmond recently shared details about an intimidating backstage interaction with The Undertaker while working on a WWE countdown feature centered around rising former NXT star Oba Femi.
Despite years of experience covering major sports, Redmond admitted the encounter left her surprisingly nervous before things quickly took a different turn.
Speaking to Awful Announcing, Redmond explained how WWE gives talent like herself creative flexibility when producing countdown show segments.
While producers assign the match or storyline, she still builds the reports herself — a process she compared to her background in hockey broadcasting.
Jackie Redmond explains why she approached The Undertaker backstage
Redmond recalled being assigned coverage involving Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi when she spotted The Undertaker backstage. Although she had only met the WWE Hall of Famer once before, she felt his perspective could add real weight to the feature.
“So, for Brock, Oba, I’m walking around, I see The Undertaker hanging out backstage,” Redmond said. “And by the way, I’ve only met him once. And he’s around, but like, you know, he’s The Undertaker. I’m intimidated.”
Drawing from her sports broadcasting instincts, Redmond decided to approach him anyway. She explained that in hockey she would normally seek insight from respected veterans or Hall of Famers before a major game, so she treated the WWE setting the same way.
“I was like, wait, this is perfect. I’ll ask Undertaker about Oba Femi and like why he has connected so quickly with the fan base,” she explained.
Redmond then revealed the exchange that initially made her even more nervous.
“I was like, ‘Can I have 30 seconds?’ And he’s like, ‘Is it going to be 30?’ I was like, ‘Okay, no, like three minutes.’”
Fortunately for Redmond, the conversation went smoothly. She described The Undertaker as “amazing” and “so gracious with his time,” while also praising the freedom WWE gives its broadcast team behind the curtain.
For Oba Femi, it was another sign that his momentum backstage may already be reaching main-event levels — no smoke and mirrors needed.
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