The Undertaker returned on the November 15 episode of SmackDown Live after a seven-month absence. He made a promise that he is back to "taking souls and digging holes" but he has not appeared on television since then.
There have been a lot of speculations regarding the status of The Undertaker for next year's Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 33. It should be noted that he underwent hip surgery in September and he might not be cleared to return to the ring.
Photos of the 51-year-old legend using crutches went viral in October as his surgery was revealed to the public. He got the surgery to prolong his career that is why he was given the green light to say it on his promo during his return.
Wrestling Inc. reported earlier this month that The Undertaker was noticeably limping when he visited Raw in Houston. However, he was just walking fine during his appearance on SmackDown Live, as well as when he visited the Cleveland Cavaliers back in the last week of October.
The WWE has not revealed the real plans for The Undertaker next year but the company might have a good reason for holding off his next television appearance. According to Ringside News, The Undertaker might return on the first SmackDown Live of 2017.
Monday Night Raw has already scheduled Bill Goldberg and Brock Lesnar to appear on the very first show of 2017. It means that SmackDown needs to have another big return and The Undertaker is as popular as Goldberg and Lesnar.
These are just purely speculative at the moment and nothing has been confirmed. However, it is safe to assume that The Undertaker will have a role at the 2017 Royal Rumble. The WWE wants to sell out the 65,000-seater Alamodome and they cannot do it without The Deadman.
The Undertaker is also from Texas so it makes sense that he will appear at the Royal Rumble. The only question is what role he will play. He is rumored to be facing A.J. Styles for the WWE World Championship but that could be John Cena's role.
However, the WWE seems to be hyping the Royal Rumble Match and Cena could announce that he is entering. It paves the way for The Undertaker returning and confronting Styles, who is expected to retain the title against Dolph Ziggler and Baron Corbin.
Check out the video below to watch The Undertaker's haunting return to SmackDown Live. For more WWE news, rumors and updates, just follow me on Twitter @johnnyrundown.