:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46764348/Undertaker.0.0.jpg)
The rumors are flying fast and furious that Undertaker, the longest tenured star on the WWE roster, is on the verge of coming back to WWE, possibly as soon as Battleground and definitely for a match at SummerSlam (if we're to believe this report). He could be back Sunday but if not, he'll reportedly be on Monday Night Raw next week in Kansas City.
Is this a good or bad idea? Let's figure it out.
Why it's a good idea
It's THE FREAKING UNDERTAKER.
It's become clear that WWE is taking an "all hands on deck" approach to SummerSlam in Brooklyn this year, with a major NXT Takeover event on Saturday night followed by a monster WWE pay-per-view the next evening, both at the Barclays Center. "The Phenom" hasn't worked at the biggest party of the summer since 2008. There's no better way to make this a must-see event than having him featured on the show.
Plus, if he's coming back for yet another match at WrestleMania 32, it only makes sense for him to go after the man who bested his streak, Brock Lesnar. The fact that they completely ignored as much leading into WrestleMania 31 never made any sense and their possibly going back to it sounds like exactly the kind of storytelling we need more of in WWE.
This would also help subscription numbers for the WWE Network.
And did I mention it's THE FREAKING UNDERTAKER?!?
Why it's a bad idea
Undertaker is a 50-year-old man.
Brock Lesnar nearly killed Undertaker the last time they had a match. When he was struggling in the ring at WrestleMania 30 after Brock beat the streak, it looked like he was selling his first ever defeat at the biggest show of the year. With the benefit of hindsight, it's entirely possible he was simply trying to recover from a legitimate concussion.
The lights were on but nobody was home.
It's also worth wondering how much of a drawing card Undertaker is at this point. They leaned hard on the streak over the waning years of his career and now that that's gone, how much value is there in his having another match, especially if it's not clear it's a retirement match (and if he's planning to work WrestleMania next year, this wouldn't be that).
Unless of course they're building to exactly that.
Verdict: Good idea
It's THE FREAKING UNDERTAKER. If they do this, it's going to be awesome.
What do you think, Cagesiders?