Which Brand Would Benefit From The Deadman?

When wrestling fans hear the name The Undertaker, they know that whoever he’s about to face is in for a beating. Whether you know him for his undefeated WrestleMania streak, or from the Brothers of Destruction, or from his successful shtick turns over the years, you definitely know the Phenom in some way.

So, that begs the question: which brand would benefit most from the Deadman? Monday Night RAW or SmackDown LIVE? In recent months, he has appeared on both, seeming to float between them as he chooses.

Although both rosters are pretty well stocked; I’d say that Undertaker belongs on the blue brand, rather than red.

RAW’s roster already has huge names like Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Sheamus, Cesaro…I could list the entire roster here, but I won’t for the sake of article length.

With that said, SmackDown has been a much more consistent show since the brand split. You’d think that RAW having the longer runtime would lead to a better show, but that’s just not the case.

So, what does that have to do with The Undertaker?

Simple: SmackDown needs the legend status. In order to ensure their future as the better show, they need someone that packs a serious punch. Sure, they’ve got the Wyatt Family, John Cena, AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose and The Miz, but none of these names are as powerful as The Undertaker. Since RAW already has Lesnar, Goldberg, Big Show, and the like, SmackDown’s legends roster could use the power that Undertaker has to offer.

Another reason to have the Phenom on SmackDown is his scripted brother, Kane. WWE has teased a Brothers of Destruction reunion before, and that could be just the thing to push SmackDown ahead permanently. For his part, Kane has appeared in matches every few months or so; in which he destroys his opponent within mere minutes. Kind of a waste when you consider his contribution to the company, don’t you think?

Now, this question has been circulating among the WWE Universe for months: isn’t Taker’s time over? Shouldn’t he retire? He’s done more than enough to cement his status as a Hall of Famer, so why should he remain active? The answer: drama. WWE is a company that thrives on drama, and if Undertaker were to retire, they would lose a major powerhouse in that department. So, no. It’s not the time for the Phenom to rest in peace.

So, with all of that said, think back to November 15, 2016; the 900th episode of SmackDown. Taker appeared on the show to tell the roster and the WWE Universe that WrestleMania will no longer define him. Quite vague if you ask me. But why would he appear on SmackDown if plans weren’t to keep him there?