The Undertaker last appeared at WrestleMania back in April, and he hasn’t been seen since. Sure, that’s not typically uncommon, but many have wondered if he had truly retired. It certainly seemed that way, but now, WWE has officially announced the return date for the “ Dead Man ,” and everyone is wondering just what he will do. Making matters even more interesting is the true reason he has been absent for so long.
The 51-year-old superstar has not been seen since April 3, 2016, when he took on Shane McMahon inside Hell in a Cell. At the end of that match, which was won by Taker, he set his gloves down in the middle of the ring, posed, and slowly walked out of the arena.
A lot of people saw it as his quiet and very Undertaker-like way of retiring. Well, fans can now rest easy in knowing that he has not retired (not yet), and he is coming back to the ring and the world knows when that will happen.
BREAKING NEWS! The Undertaker returns to Wilkes-Barre on 11.15 for the 900th episode of @WWESmackDownLiv at @MoheganSunArena #WWEWILKESBARRE pic.twitter.com/okWlFNw1AH
— Mohegan Sun Arena PA (@MoheganSunArena) November 2, 2016
Rolling Stone confirmed that Taker will return for the 900th episode of SmackDown, which is now called SmackDown LIVE . The event will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and it is happening a mere five days before that Sunday’s Survivor Series .
At this time, no one knows if he is going to be shown on TV at that episode of SmackDown LIVE or making an appearance after cameras stop rolling. One thing is likely: Taker probably won’t be wrestling on TV or in a dark match or anything anytime soon.
Within the last month, Taker had hip surgery , according to WrestleZone , and that’s part of the reason he had been seen out and about on crutches. Many fans began speculating that he was just in poor shape, getting older, and wouldn’t ever be in condition to wrestle again.
Sure, he’s getting older, but that doesn’t mean his career is over.
The Live Events page on the official website for WWE shows The Undertaker appearing at the SmackDown LIVE event on November 15. Of course, cards are always subject to change, and it doesn’t say what he will be doing, but he will be there.
Again, Undertaker wrestling at this event or getting physically involved in any way is highly unlikely due to just having hip surgery. He was recently seen at an event for the Cleveland Cavaliers at which he was walking around without the crutches, but not running or doing much more than that.
After WrestleMania each year, the “Dead Man” usually isn’t seen until around the Royal Rumble , but last year, he showed back up at SummerSlam and a couple of other events. This year just seemed different with his absence, and the hip surgery is truly the reason why as he was banged up and needed to be fixed.
This year’s Survivor Series marks 25 years since he won his first WWE World Championship from Hulk Hogan at the very same event in 1991. Taker could end up being at this year’s pay-per-view, but his health simply won’t allow him to actively participate just yet because of his hip.
The official Live Event page for Survivor Series does not have Taker scheduled to appear and he’s not listed on any other events through 2016 as of yet. The company is going to give him the time he needs for his hip to heal and not rush him back.
When it comes to wrestling, The Undertaker is synonymous with greatness and true legendary status. He has been a primary focus in WWE for decades and never seems to want to go away, but it’s not like the fans want him to do so. His normal time off after WrestleMania combined with his hip surgery to keep him out of the TV spotlight longer than usual, but now, he’s coming back, and the “Dead Man” may have something to say about Survivor Series .
[Featured Image by WWE]