Understanding the Undertaker

He's back...
Courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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By now you've likely seen The Undertaker's return on Monday Night Raw. He announced his intentions to enter the 2017 Royal Rumble. His last appearance at the event was in 2010 when he defeated Rey Mysterio in a World Title match. But his last time in the Rumble itself was in 2009. 

The premise set forth by WWE and The Undertaker Monday night made sense to me. He's not technically been drafted by Raw or SmackDown Live so it didn't bother me that he was on Raw. And as he explained, New Orleans was where the WrestleMania Streak came to an end, further winning the argument to have The Phenom on Raw.

But here's where I put on my nitpicky douchebag hat. (I'm not really wearing a hat, but you know what I mean.) Rewind less than two months ago when Undertaker returned to SmackDown Live for the first time since WrestleMania 32. His pep talk to the Survivor Series team included the line "I'm back, taking souls and digging holes." He also mentioned SmackDown always being his home, but I'm letting that one slide due to the reasoning in the above paragraph.

He wrapped up his speech to the team by telling them if they lost at Survivor Series they'd have reason to fear him. It was a great appearance and worked to motivate the team as Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton became the team's survivors. 

Now for the nitpicky part... he said, "I'm back." during both appearances. True he was indeed back for that appearance, but when I hear that phrase, I assume the person saying it means they're back for good. But I know what happens when you assume. We did that when The Rock had a similar spiel a few years ago. Had the team lost at Survivor Series, would he have returned to the next SmackDown Live event?

Courtesy: WWE

At the very least though it appears that The Undertaker will be "back" for a few months, as he is in the Rumble and one would assume (I know) no matter outcome there he's going to be a part of WrestleMania 33 (please don't let it be against Braun Strowman).

Sorry for the negative tone of this post. I didn't intend for it to be. I have no problem with Taker being in the Rumble. I just hope it's a way to set up his match at Mania without involving the championship.