#1 contenders match confirmed for this Monday, More on The Undertaker’s RAW return

[Big Red Machine]

Source: WrestleChat

By C.J. Quinn
– Posted on February 23, 2016Posted in: WWE

The #1 contenders match between Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch has been confirmed for Monday’s WWE RAW from Nashville, Tennessee. As noted, the winner will face WWE DivasChampion Charlotte at WrestleMania 32.

As noted, The Undertaker will also appear on Monday’s RAW from Nashville. WWE confirmed the appearance with this teaser:

The Undertaker will appear live on next Monday’s edition of Raw for the first time in 2016, WWE.com can confirm. Following Mr. McMahon’s blockbuster declaration that The Phenom will battle Shane McMahon inside Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania to decide if The Boy Wonder will assume control of Monday Night Raw, the WWE Universe has been speculating on what the legendary Superstar will have to say about his role in the McMahon family power struggle. Will The Deadman shed further light on his historic 24th contest at The Showcase of the Immortals? Tune in to Raw next Monday, live at 8/7 C on USA Network, to see The Deadman’s return.

[cero2k]

The #1 contenders match between Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch has been confirmed for Monday’s WWE RAW from Nashville, Tennessee. As noted, the winner will face WWE DivasChampion Charlotte at WrestleMania 32.

calling it now. Re-hash the Sami/Joe story

[Big Red Machine]

The #1 contenders match between Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch has been confirmed for Monday’s WWE RAW from Nashville, Tennessee. As noted, the winner will face WWE DivasChampion Charlotte at WrestleMania 32.

calling it now. Re-hash the Sami/Joe story

Yes and no. I wouldn't call it a "re-hash" unless they do a double-pin type of finish. I think if they build to a three-way by having them go a long time and both be exhausted and then having Charlotte come out to destroy them for the double DQ ("well... it looks like no one won this #1 contendership match, so I guess neither of you are the #1 contender."), it will feel different enough.

[XIV]

Shane won't win at Wrestlemania. He has too many outside WWE interests for a return.

Despite it being a waste of a match for Undertaker. As for Undertaker's motivation for fighting for Vince. It'll be interesting to see how they play it. He can't do it willingly, because that would make him heel and it's impossible to turn him heel, but Vince could use the "you're under contract you will fight or else" line. But that's flat.

They need to give Undertaker motive for being the opponent. That's what I'm looking for from Raw.

[cero2k]

Shane won't win at Wrestlemania. He has too many outside WWE interests for a return.

Despite it being a waste of a match for Undertaker. As for Undertaker's motivation for fighting for Vince. It'll be interesting to see how they play it. He can't do it willingly, because that would make him heel and it's impossible to turn him heel, but Vince could use the "you're under contract you will fight or else" line. But that's flat.

They need to give Undertaker motive for being the opponent. That's what I'm looking for from Raw.

I've been hearing that the China business hasn't been all that good. Maybe he does want to get back in the business. I feel this whole storyline has some level of reality to it

[Big Red Machine]

Shane won't win at Wrestlemania. He has too many outside WWE interests for a return.

Despite it being a waste of a match for Undertaker. As for Undertaker's motivation for fighting for Vince. It'll be interesting to see how they play it. He can't do it willingly, because that would make him heel and it's impossible to turn him heel, but Vince could use the "you're under contract you will fight or else" line. But that's flat.

They need to give Undertaker motive for being the opponent. That's what I'm looking for from Raw.

I've been hearing that the China business hasn't been all that good. Maybe he does want to get back in the business. I feel this whole storyline has some level of reality to it

It does... which is why Undertaker seems like 100% the wrong opponent. For that level of reality to really push things, it needs to be seen as possible for Shane to win, and I just don't see them wasting an Undertaker loss at WrestleMania on Shane McMahon. The ideal choice of opponent for Shane in this scenario (aside from Hunter, who is already booked elsewhere) would be Sheamus, who has been the Authority's guy, but who no one thinks WWE would have a problem sacrificing for this angle.

[XIV]

Shane won't win at Wrestlemania. He has too many outside WWE interests for a return.

Despite it being a waste of a match for Undertaker. As for Undertaker's motivation for fighting for Vince. It'll be interesting to see how they play it. He can't do it willingly, because that would make him heel and it's impossible to turn him heel, but Vince could use the "you're under contract you will fight or else" line. But that's flat.

They need to give Undertaker motive for being the opponent. That's what I'm looking for from Raw.

I've been hearing that the China business hasn't been all that good. Maybe he does want to get back in the business. I feel this whole storyline has some level of reality to it

The China business isn't his only interest. He is involved in the board for an international sports agents representing Rory McIlroy among others.
He's also been a consultant for various other businesses.
I would love to see Shane return on a more permanent basis, in front of and behind the camera he is a massive asset.

Maybe he is sighting a return, but there are better opponents for this angle and I don't think he will return full time.

[cero2k]

it just feels like a huge waste to bring Shane back, hint a change in management, and then not do anything. If feels like a bigger waste than Taker losing at WM. This is why i feel the whole premise of this match makes no sense, you can't just announce matches like this that are not dream matches and try to make sense out of them later on. if you tease a stipulation like this, you need to deliver something, it SHOULD be a change in the whole dynamic of what WWE has been the last one or two years. They cornered themselves into a stipulation that is now bigger than the world title match.

I see why Taker was a good choice in their head, because aside from him, Cena, or Brock, Shane could kayfabe defeat anyone really, because they're treating Shane as this guy that hasn't aged or anything, you would need to build up the story that he is not what he used to be. He didn't even flinch at fighting Taker at a HIAC.

[XIV]

Shane has never flinched at fighting anyone. That's who Shane is. Changing that now would be detrimental to Shane.

Taker HAS been beaten at Wrestlemania and Shane has been in matches with legends and beaten legends. So there is at least that element to it.

[Big Red Machine]

it just feels like a huge waste to bring Shane back, hint a change in management, and then not do anything. If feels like a bigger waste than Taker losing at WM. This is why i feel the whole premise of this match makes no sense, you can't just announce matches like this that are not dream matches and try to make sense out of them later on. if you tease a stipulation like this, you need to deliver something, it SHOULD be a change in the whole dynamic of what WWE has been the last one or two years. They cornered themselves into a stipulation that is now bigger than the world title match.

Totally agree.

[Big Red Machine]

Taker HAS been beaten at Wrestlemania and Shane has been in matches with legends and beaten legends. So there is at least that element to it.

All true... but Taker losing at Mania would still feel like a huge deal at this point and be a huge rub for whoever beats him, and that is not something that should be wasted on a 46 year old Shane McMahon.

[cero2k]

Taker HAS been beaten at Wrestlemania and Shane has been in matches with legends and beaten legends. So there is at least that element to it.

All true... but Taker losing at Mania would still feel like a huge deal at this point and be a huge rub for whoever beats him, and that is not something that should be wasted on a 46 year old Shane McMahon.

Shane needs to be injured the next week and bring in his own champion, Samoa Joe. Joe vs Taker for some reason

[XIV]

Taker HAS been beaten at Wrestlemania and Shane has been in matches with legends and beaten legends. So there is at least that element to it.

All true... but Taker losing at Mania would still feel like a huge deal at this point and be a huge rub for whoever beats him, and that is not something that should be wasted on a 46 year old Shane McMahon.

Shane needs to be injured the next week and bring in his own champion, Samoa Joe. Joe vs Taker for some reason

Injury can easily be explained in story. Shane comes in and says "I need a tune up match" and faces someone who can eat a loss like Tyler Breeze or Zack Ryder. Vince sends the Leaguenof Nations in to "weaken" Shane but end up going too far. Leading Shane to be medically unavailable for Wrestlemania but names a champion in his stead.

[cero2k]

Injury can easily be explained in story. Shane comes in and says "I need a tune up match" and faces someone who can eat a loss like Tyler Breeze or Zack Ryder. Vince sends the Leaguenof Nations in to "weaken" Shane but end up going too far. Leading Shane to be medically unavailable for Wrestlemania but names a champion in his stead.

that could be a perfect way to have Cena come in