Lead
Reports indicate WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker was backstage at Monday’s WWE Raw in Atlanta ahead of AJ Styles’ scheduled farewell to the WWE Universe. Multiple wrestling outlets named him among those present, though those outlets said it remained unclear whether he would appear on air. The appearance comes as Styles prepares a final in-arena address after a career-threatening loss to GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble. The development adds an unexpected layer to a tribute night centered on one of the company’s most decorated performers.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple outlets, including Fightful Select and PWInsider Elite, reported The Undertaker was backstage at WWE Raw in Atlanta ahead of AJ Styles’ farewell segment.
- Reports stopped short of confirming any planned on-screen role for Undertaker; outlets said they had not learned if he would be part of the show.
- AJ Styles is set to deliver a farewell segment on Raw after losing a career-threatening match to GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble.
- Styles’ cinematic Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36 in 2020 is widely remembered as Undertaker’s last in-ring bout.
- The Raw episode is being produced as a tribute to Styles, amplifying interest in any surprise or veteran appearances.
Background
AJ Styles, known as “The Phenomenal One,” has been a central figure in WWE for over a decade, headlining pay-per-views and holding multiple world titles. His recent loss to GUNTHER in a match described on commentary as career-threatening has set the stage for a farewell segment on Monday’s Raw. WWE has periodically used tribute or farewell episodes to honor long-tenured stars, often blending pre-taped elements with surprise in-arena moments.
The Undertaker—billed as a multi-time world champion and WWE Hall of Famer—has a long, storied history with Styles, including their cinematic Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36 in 2020. That match is commonly referenced as Undertaker’s final in-ring appearance and remains a high-profile example of WWE’s shift toward cinematic presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Veteran names appearing backstage at major televised events has been a recurring WWE pattern, designed to generate buzz and potential storyline continuity.
Main Event
On the night in question, multiple wrestling news organizations reported that The Undertaker was present behind the scenes at Raw’s Atlanta venue prior to the show going live. Outlets said they had confirmed his presence in the building but had not been given details about a live segment or an on-camera spot. WWE planned a tribute episode to AJ Styles following his career-threatening loss to GUNTHER at the Royal Rumble, and the company often keeps surprise appearances tightly controlled to preserve live-moment impact.
Styles has been out of regular WWE television since the Royal Rumble defeat, with only a podcast appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” noted as a recent public engagement. Monday’s Raw was promoted in commentary as the night Styles would address fans “for the final time,” raising expectations that the company might bring in legacy names. Given Undertaker’s history with Styles, his backstage presence—if later confirmed as an on-air moment—would be seen as a meaningful bookend to their shared narrative.
Fightful Select and PWInsider Elite both published reports naming Undertaker among backstage talent, but neither outlet provided confirmation that Undertaker would step into the ring or participate in the broadcast. WWE’s production and talent departments often coordinate surprise segments without public advance notice, which explains the limited information available before the show went live.
Analysis & Implications
If Undertaker were to appear on-screen, it would amplify the emotional weight of Styles’ farewell and likely draw significant attention from both long-time fans and mainstream media. Undertaker’s presence carries symbolic value; his match with Styles at WrestleMania 36 is widely remembered, and a reunion or on-camera acknowledgment would tie together a narrative thread stretching back to 2020. From a business perspective, surprise veterans can boost live ratings and social-media engagement for special-episode programming.
Conversely, if Undertaker remained off-camera, his backstage attendance still signals WWE’s interest in surrounding farewell moments with high-profile names, whether for morale, creative planning, or potential off-air interactions. For talent management, having legacy stars on site provides producers options if they need to pivot segments or create an impromptu moment. That flexibility is valuable during tribute episodes where tone and pacing matter.
There is also a risk calculus: using a major legend on-air for a short cameo can delight fans but may dilute the spotlight on the retiring performer if not handled carefully. WWE typically balances this by scripting moments that elevate the departing star while leveraging the veteran’s cachet. How the company chooses to frame any Undertaker involvement—if it occurred—would signal WWE’s priorities for legacy storytelling versus creating a viral surprise clip.
Comparison & Data
| Event | Opponent | Outcome | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| WrestleMania 36 (2020) | AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker | Undertaker won — Boneyard Match | Widely regarded as Undertaker’s final in-ring match |
| Royal Rumble | AJ Styles vs. GUNTHER | GUNTHER won — career-threatening stipulation | Result set up Styles’ farewell segment on Raw |
The table highlights the two recent marquee encounters that frame this story: the cinematic Boneyard Match in 2020 and Styles’ more recent, career-jeopardizing loss to GUNTHER. Together they explain why Undertaker’s backstage presence—confirmed by multiple outlets as occurring the night of Styles’ farewell—commands attention from fans and analysts alike.
Reactions & Quotes
“We have not learned if Undertaker would be part of the show.”
Fightful Select (reporting)
“For the final time,”
WWE SmackDown commentary (on-air remark)
“Undertaker was backstage prior to the show going live,”
PWInsider Elite (reporting)
Unconfirmed
- It is unconfirmed whether The Undertaker made an on-camera appearance during the Raw broadcast; reports only verified backstage presence.
- Any details about the nature of Undertaker’s backstage activity—meeting with talent, producers, or participating in pre-show planning—remain unverified.
- There is no independent confirmation that Undertaker’s presence was coordinated as part of a planned segment versus a private attendance or goodwill visit.
Bottom Line
The reported backstage presence of The Undertaker at AJ Styles’ farewell Raw in Atlanta is a notable development that aligns two significant threads in recent WWE storytelling: Styles’ career-turning loss to GUNTHER and the enduring legacy of Undertaker’s WrestleMania-era encounters. While multiple outlets corroborated that Undertaker was in the building, none confirmed an on-screen role prior to the broadcast, leaving the most consequential detail unresolved at press time.
For fans and analysts, the key takeaway is the symbolic resonance: even an off-camera presence by a name like Undertaker elevates a farewell episode. How WWE uses such moments—on air or behind the scenes—will shape immediate fan reaction and may inform how the company honors long-tenured performers going forward.
Sources
- Wrestling Inc. — (news outlet; initial report consolidation)
- Fightful Select — (reporting outlet; backstage presence reported)
- PWInsider Elite — (reporting outlet; backstage presence reported)
- WWE — (promotion; event programming and on-air commentary)