WWE News: The Undertaker Returns To ‘Smackdown’ Before ‘Survivor Series’ To Deliver A Message

The latest WWE news involves The Undertaker making a return to SmackDown for the historic 900th episode. In addition, “The Rated-R Superstar” Edge also showed up to help out. Fans were anticipating exactly what would go down with such huge superstars making an appearance on television just days ahead of the annual pay-per-view. In particular, it was “The Deadman” whose return to WWE programming will have fans talking and speculating what his latest message might mean.

According to ProWrestling in their SmackDown Live recap, the closing segment of the show featured Edge making his return to the ring for The Cutting Edge. Edge talked up how he helped make SmackDown the popular brand that it is today over the years and said he has a “vested interest in the 5-on-5 match” at Survivor Series. With that, he called out the five competitors for Team SmackDown, with team mascot James Ellsworth also coming out to the ring.

Edge talked about each of the guys competing for the brand including his former Rated-RKO tag team partner Randy Orton. “The Viper,” who is known aligned with Bray Wyatt, had nothing to say, but his new mentor spoke for him saying “the man he once knew is now dead.” Edge ultimately told SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon he has his hands full. Right after that, AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose got into it, showing they still haven’t sorted out their differences.

All of that commotion was halted quickly when the lights went out and The Undertaker’s theme music started up. After his slow arrival to the ring and plenty of fanfare from the crowd, “The Phenom” addressed the entire Team SmackDown group in the ring. Undertaker made some interesting statements including him saying “WrestleMania no longer defines me,” and also telling the team that failure is not an option, but if they do fail, there would be consequences. Taker told the team that “Team RAW better rest in peace.”

"Team #RAW better REST IN PEACE!" The #Undertaker has a deadly warning for #TeamRAW on #SDLive900… #SurvivorSeries #TheCuttingEdge pic.twitter.com/WFNrBYYZQe

— WWE (@WWE) November 16, 2016

There’s been an interesting new rumor going around that Undertaker will compete against AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble. These two have yet to compete in a match, so it would certainly make for an interesting contest. What makes it more intriguing is that it may fit in with another rumor. There’s been a lot of talk about John Cena taking on Undertaker in his final match ever at WrestleMania 33.

With that in mind, it would almost seem to point to the obvious big set-up. Taker defeats Styles at the Rumble for his championship. Cena challenges Undertaker for it in a career-ending match at Mania. That sets up two huge milestone moments with one match. With Cena out of the picture right now, it will make his return sometime in December or thereafter even more important as well. Whether or not this is all setting up something involving him and Taker will be interesting to watch as it plays out.

For now, though, Team SmackDown will need to do their best to heed the Deadman’s warning. However, it seems if anyone messes up or is the reason for the team’s loss, it will most likely be AJ Styles, leading to him and Taker having that rumored match in January 2017. It could be an epic clash, and one that sets up another major match down the road in Orlando, Florida.

WWE fans, what do you think about The Undertaker’s return to SmackDown and his message? Is this setting up a future match between him and AJ Styles, or between Taker and someone else? Will the Royal Rumble feature an Undertaker match? Who will he face at WrestleMania 33?

[Featured Image by WWE]