THE PHENOM IS BACK

There has been a lot of back and forth among wrestling fans in recent weeks and months regarding The Undertaker's status with WWE. While some expected him to return in time for WrestleMania as usual, there was a large contingent of fans that argued a mixture of injuries and contract issues would keep Taker away.

Many questions were answered last Saturday, though, as The Undertaker shockingly returned at a live event in Waco, Texas to team with Sheamus against Wade Barrett and Damien Sandow.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is WWE Handling Taker Correctly?

Most were taken aback when news of Taker's house show appearance broke and that is totally understandable. The WWE usually produces vignettes when The Undertaker returns, or it has him return at a televised event at the very least. The WWE went in a totally different direction this time, though, and it led to some differing opinions among wrestling fans. Some understood and appreciated it, while others felt like it ruined the surprise factor.

Interestingly enough, the WWE pulled another swerve when Taker didn't make his televised return on Raw in Dallas. Most figured that he would be on Raw in his home state of Texas, but the WWE has really kept the fans on their toes.

Since Raw closed with John Cena finally vanquishing CM Punk and retaining his WrestleMania title match against The Rock, the WWE likely didn't want to overshadow it by having Taker come out afterwards.

The consensus among the Ring Rust Radio panelists was that the WWE is doing a brilliant job with Taker thus far. The WWE could have brought The Undertaker back at any time without acknowledging him beforehand, but his return wouldn't reflect positively on the ratings.

Teasing fans with the house-show appearance presumably made many fringe fans tune in on Monday. Some of them were probably disappointed, but if they're really Undertaker fans, then they'll continue to watch Raw until he finally comes back.

We figure that he'll be present at Old School Raw in my hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., on Monday, but it's impossible to say for sure. There are so many fans expecting it that the WWE could delay it another week and carry the viewing audience over once again.

Since Punk is officially outside the WWE Championship picture, though, it makes sense for him to cut a promo on Raw only for Taker to interrupt him. There are no guarantees when it comes to The Undertaker, however, he seems like a lock for WrestleMania and there is no doubt that the WWE has the fans' attention