From the WWE Rumor Mill: Backstage reason why The Undertaker and John Cena didn't face off at Raw 25
What's the story?
On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the many headlines that came from last night's Raw 25 special. One topic in particular was the backstage reason why The Undertaker and John Cena didn't face off like many expected.
In case you didn't know...
Undertaker wrestled in the very first edition of Monday Night Raw on January 11, 1993. In the "main event" he defeated Damien Demento in just over two minutes. Demento left the company nine months later.
The heart of the matter
Undertaker cut a very vague promo inside the Manhattan Center at Raw 25. As we reported earlier today, Meltzer stated that the WrestleMania match between these two WWE titans is still on, and what was done at Raw 25 was probably deliberate, to lull the WWE Universe into a false sense of certainty that The Undertaker will retire.
According to Meltzer, WWE Management decided not to start the feud for WrestleMania because they felt that Raw 25 was the only time they had to build a spot for Cena and Elias ahead of Sunday's Royal Rumble.
Originally Samoa Joe was supposed to be in Elias's spot, but due to Joe's foot injury, changes were made to have Elias face off against Cena at the Royal Rumble.
What's next?
The Royal Rumble is just a few days away, taking place on January 28th at the Wells Fargo Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This pay per view will include the first ever women's Royal Rumble match along with the traditional men's Royal Rumble match.
The two major titles will be on the line when Brock Lesnar defends his WWE Universal Championship against Kane and Braun Strowman. The WWE Champion AJ Styles will face Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in a handicap match.
Author's take
In my "6 moments from Raw 25 that got the WWE Universe talking," I hypothesized that Undertaker coming out with the lights on was to signify his career was heading to the light and coming to an end.
But, if what Meltzer said is true, then it is a nice swerve by the WWE to have Undertaker cut an ambiguous promo and not even have a stare down with John Cena. Oddly enough, I don't think the rumored WrestleMania match against John Cena in New Orleans is going to be Undertaker's last.