SmackDown will feature a tribute to the Undertaker

WWE has announced that tomorrow night’s (June 26) episode of SmackDown will include a special “Tribute To The Undertaker.”

So what exactly does that mean? Here’s how WWE explains it:

“With the WWE Universe still buzzing over the final chapter of WWE Network’s groundbreaking documentary Undertaker: The Last Ride, SmackDown will feature a special “Tribute To The Undertaker” this Friday night.

As part of the special recognition, the astonishing Boneyard Match between The Deadman and AJ Styles will air on television for the first time. As Superstars, legends, celebrities and fans have expressed their support for the sports-entertainment icon, the blue brand now gets to share the same message: Thank you, Taker.

Join SmackDown in honoring The Undertaker and much more in another action-packed Friday night on FOX at 8/7 C.”

The tribute will consist of WWE airing the Boneyard match from WrestleMania 36, essentially. It doesn’t sound like the Undertaker will actually be there in person.

Maybe this really is just a way to honor the Undertaker after the end of The Last Ride documentary series on WWE Network. However, there’s part of my brain that knows the full cinematic Boneyard segment was around 23 minutes. Add three commercial breaks on top of that, and that eats up 30+ minutes of the two hour show on Friday night.

Is WWE scrambling right now to find a way to fill television time while they are dealing with a possible outbreak of COVID-19 at the Performance Center?