WWE SummerSlam: Why Undertaker’s Heel Turn is Best for Business
Many are shocked at the Undertaker’s heelish actions leading up to this week’s SummerSlam match with Brock Lesnar. Read on to see why the this is exactly what the WWE needs right now.
Be careful what you wish for because you just may get it. Ever since the Undertaker’s legendary undefeated streak was broken by Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX, the WWE Universe has hoped he’d get a chance at revenge. Fifteen months later at the Battleground PPV they get their wish when he cost Lesnar the WWE Championship against Seth Rollins. But this wasn’t the Undertaker they knew and loved. He greeted Lesnar with a low blow, a cheap shot he’s rarely if ever taken advantage of. Fans still cheered, but there was obvious confusion about his actions.
Last night, in the big “go home” episode of Monday Night Raw before the SummerSlam PPV, the Undertaker delivered another low blow on Lesnar to get the upper hand. What’s going on? The WWE has a plan, and it’s one fans better get used to now.
The old adage is true; absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Over the last few years the Undertaker has wrestled sparingly, and his esteem has only grown in the eyes of adoring WWE fans. There was never any hope of the Undertaker getting booed in his big comeback, especially since most are eager to see him beat Lesnar to a pulp, and make up for over a year of Paul Heyman’s incessant bragging. In fact, the Undertaker specifically noted that Heyman’s rants were the reason for his return. What fan can’t get behind that? Well, be that as it may, the WWE has to look towards the future, and the Undertaker isn’t part of that.
The simple truth is that the long-term investment is in Lesnar, not the Undertaker. Be honest; you know the chances are the Undertaker won’t be seen again after SummerSlam until the next time the WWE’s ratings need a boost. But Lesnar, he’s got scores to settle. There are a number of passengers who need to be taken to Suplex City and that list begins and ends with Seth Rollins. The Undertaker is a nice diversion, but a diversion is all it really is. What the WWE is doing by making the Undertaker clearly a heel in this feud is getting the crowd ready for him to take another loss. There’s no streak on the line for them to worry about this time, so if he loses it’s just another defeat.
Some have taken issue with the WWE’s handling of the situation; claiming that a legend like the Undertaker shouldn’t be booed at this stage of his career. The Undertaker is a professional who has found incredible success and the love of the WWE Universe whether he’s a babyface or a heel. This is just another day at the office for him, and as the mixed reaction from the crowd has shown, those who love him will always find reasons to root for their favorite “Deadman”.
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