Undertaker returns to Raw to challenge Triple H to match at WrestleMania 28
On tonight's (Jan. 30, 2012) episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, Undertaker made his long awaited return to the company to interrupt Triple H, who was just about to fire John Laurinaitis.
And he did so wearing a god-awful wig. In fact, he may have borrowed it from his demon step-brother Kane.
Nonetheless, there he was, taking 30 minutes to walk to the ring. For what, we did not know. Laurinaitis bailed to the back and got himself out of the picture, seemingly saving his job for this week.
Triple H stayed put, staring down the man he went toe-to-toe with at WrestleMania 27. Once Undertaker got in the ring, they did the same set up as last year. 'Taker looked at the WrestleMania 28 banner, looked back to "The Game" and made his throat slashing motion, signifying, presumably, that he wants a rematch at this year's big show.
Considering the fact that he won the match last year (and actually beat Triple H at WrestleMania 17, as well), this doesn't seem to make much sense. It got even more confusing when Triple H responded to Undertaker by patting him on the shoulder and slowly shaking his head, as though he was consoling him.
What could this mean?
Here's my best guess: Undertaker wants to have a match against Triple H at WrestleMania again this year because this last year, he was carried out on a stretcher and because of that, it felt more like a loss. Or something along those lines. This would fit with the story Trips has already been telling in the sense that if you remember back at the Slammy Awards in December of last year, Triple H literally said he ended the streak at 'Mania 27 because he walked out on his own power while Undertaker went out on a stretcher.
That would also explain why Triple H patted him on his shoulder as if to decline 'Taker's offer. "I already beat you last year and sent you out on a stretcher, I don't need to do it again."
There's the angle, folks, at least as it looks to me. What about you?
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One of the first things I did, after I stopped marking out,
is say to my sister how full of volume the Undertaker’s hair was; I had no clue he still has short hair.
At first, it didn’t make sense why Undertaker was challenging HHH, but the above explanation makes sense to me.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 31, 2012 12:00 AM EST reply actions
I stopped marking out for the Undertaker about 4 or 5 years ago, unfortunately. I liked American Badass ’Taker better.
We are Ruining Your Special Night, motherfuckers!
by mountaineers101 on Jan 31, 2012 12:14 AM EST up reply actions
No way
The Undertaker is the Undertaker for a reason. Bikers are not undertakers. Undead necromancers are.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 31, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
He looked terrible too
turkey neck and everything. Its a shame really, cause it doesn’t look to me like he’s got another mania in him, yet I want the streak to end, just not to HHH.
Sadly, HHH is one of the guys who can get anything they want.
Now, count up your crimes!
by Cyclonejoker on Jan 31, 2012 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
I don't like this...
Taker is now the one challenging for a match to end his own streak? Imagine the shtick Shawn Michaels was doing before their 2nd Wrestlemania match, but put Taker on his place instead.
Geno, your explanation is good and probably the best way to go from here, but I still find it amusing that “The Undefeated One” is the one challenging another wrestler to defeat him, instead of the other way around.
by Man from Manila on Jan 31, 2012 12:23 AM EST reply actions
He’s not challenging to end his own streak, he’s challenging because he has something to prove after last year and a goal to attain in winning and being the one left standing. It’s pretty obvious.
by Chris Cutrer on Jan 31, 2012 2:15 AM EST up reply actions
No, I actually get that...
I just don’t like the idea that he is the one asking for a rematch instead of Trips. With the last part of the segment ending up like that, it looks like the streak is no longer important, but whether Trips will accept the match or not.
Plus, I don’t like Trips at all.
by Man from Manila on Jan 31, 2012 4:00 AM EST up reply actions
I still don't care for a rematch of these guys.
I’d rather see him fight someone else. Hell, i’ll take a rematch of HBK – regardless of who HBK is facing!
I'd rather see Taker and Mick hobbling around the ring.
Man, Triple H sucks.
by Razztopia on Jan 31, 2012 12:45 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
If anyone other than...
Orton ends the streak, then its just bunk. Orton’s the only one young enough, with the credentials, and the killer instinct to put down Taker.
Suum Cuique
by Rawuncutnxrated on Jan 31, 2012 1:24 AM EST reply actions
Just horrible Orton already is a hall of famer.
by MVP Raiders on Jan 31, 2012 1:46 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Exactly.. they need the torch passed to someone that still has formidable years left but not just any up & comer that could quit or become a Lesnar. Orton has proved his meddle, he’s shown that he’ll be here for the long haul.
Suum Cuique
by Rawuncutnxrated on Jan 31, 2012 3:41 AM EST up reply actions
I want D-Bry to get pushed as a Bret Hart-type face who fights bigger guys and never says die.
Then I want him to beat Taker. That is the only acceptable answer.
By the time they do that, Taker might be dead.
Suum Cuique
by Rawuncutnxrated on Jan 31, 2012 3:40 AM EST up reply actions
Bryan really is the best guy I think to break the streak on the current roster
but I just don’t see Taker going for more than 20-0
Orton doesn't need to beat Undertaker
And, he’ll always be John Cena’s shadow, so even if they did book him to beat the Undertaker, it would kind of be cheapened.
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 31, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions
I'm fine with it.
Plot-wise, it makes sense, they can put on a good match and Taker’s just about the only guy Triple H can’t roll over. And at least we’re not stuck with Taker/Kane.
For some wishful thinking: a triple threat match with HBK would add some spice to a somewhat bland rematch, but I suspect that they’ll make it a last man standing match or hell in a cell.
Together we are Ruining Your Special Night. Twice.
Fuckin' stupid...
This is the same build up as last year. Remember HHH coming out & doing the throat slash, looking at the sign & never saying a word. This is the same freakin’ build up. I really do not like Undertaker anymore. He gives one match a year, that’s it. Just retire already and be done with it. What’s worse, they had this POS segment when they could have had Kharma or even Ricardo & his car.
Suum Cuique
by Rawuncutnxrated on Jan 31, 2012 3:44 AM EST reply actions
It isn’t the same build up as last year, they have a good story to tell in triple h being content with rendering Taker unable to walk out and Taker feels he has something to prove. A very easy sensible story, sure they did the same mania sign deal as last year. Nobody sees that as “the build” for the match.
by Chris Cutrer on Jan 31, 2012 8:32 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Is there video anywhere?
I always set my DVR to run 15 minutes long, but this one went even longer than that so i missed the last couple of minutes.
It seemed like...
HHH is going to turn down the challenge by the way he reacted to Undertaker
by Buckeye Brawler on Jan 31, 2012 8:48 AM EST reply actions
Ultimatley, we all know he is, but it seems right now that someone is going to have to convince HHH to
Might be Undertaker, might be Shawn Michaels, maybe something different…
"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI
AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest
by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Jan 31, 2012 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
Geno describes it very well
Decent set up, and I can imagine they throw a twist or two into it as we go along. It will not be my favorite matchup, but it will be solid.
I'm big, I'm white, I'm Irish, and G*d damnit people like me!
Why is everyone so obsessed with ending the Taker's streak
just facing the guy and putting on a good match will get a guy over, you don’t need to beat the guy to be launched into the stratosphere. Much like Randy Orton, he is the legend killer and couldn’t beat him and his career then proceeded to get launched to bigger and bolder heights. You don’t have to beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania just put on a hell of a show.
Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Lloyd, Andy Russell, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Clemson should've stopped turning the ball over" Dana Holgorsen when asked about running up the score in the Orange Bowl
Undertaker needs someone who can compete on his superior level...
Undertaker needs someone who can compete on his superior level…he went to Monday Night Raw to show he is ready for Wrestlemania 28…not necessarily challenging HHH, but anyone who can compete and take him out of his misery. HHH patted Taker on the back, looking as if he knows it is nearly impossible to take out The Deadman…can anyone take him out?
I think this just left a match open for Wrestlemania....
….Taker’s obvious return was for Wrestlemania… Make him come out and appear to challenge Triple H, Triple H basically says thanks but no thanks and walks out… He’s keeping his COO title.
Cena has a match with the Rock
Sheamus is most likely gonna take on Daniel Bryan
Y2J just confirmed his Heel status and could be set to take on Punk for the title as the Promo Video for his return stated, “He will be back to take what is his.”
and now, Undertaker is left here without a match partner…. Kane? Could this be the year Kane ends the streak? Masked Kane vs the Deadman would be an awesome match…
Just my two cents.
"Where Yo Curleh Mustache at!?"
really? why not?
I thought about it and I personally think it would be awesome to see these two duke it out for Taker’s unbeaten streak…
Kane is being built up again, “resurrected”, what’s he going to do at Wrestlemania? No way they don’t put him in a match at Wrestlemania. Obviously he’s not gonna go for a title, so then what? Also, no way they let Kane interrupt Cena’s match with Rock….
Everyone wants to see a “legit”, as close as it can be to legit, match between Rock and Cena.
So Who’s gonna take on Taker? Triple H is back as COO, and it seemed obvious, maybe just to me, that he’s not gonna “fight” Taker again at Wrestlemania.
But then again, WWE always finds a way to ruin things….. Like what in the blue hell happened with the Anonymous GM?? They all just pretended like that didn’t happen for 6 months LOL…
So it’s all speculation now, we’ll have to wait and see these upcoming Raw shows..
"Where Yo Curleh Mustache at!?"

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