Undertaker's Best Booking Options for Return at WWE SmackDown Live

The biggest decision regarding Undertaker's return to WWE SmackDown is whether to have The Deadman aim his focus on the past or the future.

The ominous, supernatural titan is set to make his first WWE appearance since WrestleMania 32. His trip to the blue brand is a powerful implement in WWE's toolbox. It could greatly bolster a rising faction or set the stage for a dream match.

Either way, on the 900th episode of SmackDown on Nov. 15 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Undertaker is coming. 

The Mohegan Sun Arena tweeted that Undertaker will appear on the final SmackDown before the Survivor Series pay-per-view:

Just having the future Hall of Famer show up will be a big deal. An Undertaker sighting these days is rare. But it could go beyond that. WWE has a chance here to create a major moment, lay the foundation for a marquee match and leave the SmackDown audience buzzing.

The Wyatt Family Feasts

Bray Wyatt is a monster who has been toppled too often. WWE has repeatedly teased his rise as a dominant force, only to have his foe stomp all over him. Undertaker has done that plenty of times to The Eater of Worlds.

The Deadman first beat Wyatt at WrestleMania 31 and then teamed up with Kane to best him again leading up to and at Survivor Series 2015.

Undertaker's return to SmackDown is a prime chance to avenge those losses. Wyatt doesn't need to begin a whole new rivalry with him, but he and The Wyatt Family (which now includes Randy Orton) can showcase their power by pouncing on The Phenom.

It makes plenty of storyline sense that Undertaker would get involved with Wyatt's clan again. Orton, Wyatt and Luke Harper have been overwhelming his brother, Kane, of late.

Undertaker should look to aid Kane, only to suffer an ambush from The Wyatt Family. Have the villains clobber and then stand over The Deadman like animals proudly towering over fallen prey.

This is an excellent way to signal to the audience that these heels are for real and that, with Orton in tow, Wyatt's crew is more formidable than ever before.

Whatever WWE has planned for Undertaker moving forward can be built on that moment. Undertaker can return hobbled and angry soon after, but his thirst for revenge would be diverted by his next opponent. 

Put a Bow on McMahon Story

Before Undertaker moves on to his next rival and narrative, there is unfinished business to attend to with SmackDown commissioner Shane McMahon.

At WrestleMania 32, McMahon and The Phenom battled in a Hell in a Cell match. A loss for Undertaker would mean the end of his career at WWE's biggest show. Victory for McMahon would give him control of Raw.

But WWE ignored the results. McMahon lost but still went on to take charge of Raw for several weeks. Before the July draft and brand split, Vince McMahon assigned his son to SmackDown. Undertaker's win didn't cost Shane-O-Mac in the least. 

Because of that plot hole, there is reason to think Undertaker's visit to SmackDown is McMahon-related. Blake Oestriecher of Forbes asked, "Is McMahon behind the decision to bring back The Phenom?"

A creative storyline around that idea would be smart. Perhaps Undertaker can gripe about being used as a pawn in the McMahon family drama. Or he could simply make peace with the SmackDown commissioner before revealing his intentions, closing one door before he opens another.

Sow Seeds for WrestleMania 

A dream match awaits if Undertaker is healthy enough to compete at WrestleMania 33.

The Deadman's career is sure to wrap up soon, and WWE has minimal chances to showcase him on its grandest stage. There may just be one bout left in him.

If that's the case, one top name from SmackDown is a hell of an appealing choice. Chair Shot Reality host Justin LaBar tweeted what many fans have to be thinking:

It's the last superfight left for Undertaker, one that likely would have gone down this year had Cena not been hurt. Hyping that icon vs. icon bout would be easy.

Fans have already begun to make promos for Undertaker vs. Cena like this:

But with WrestleMania still five months away, WWE can take its time in setting that up. On SmackDown, Undertaker could issue a challenge, saying that he has just one showdown left in him. But he isn't sure who would be worthy of taking him on.

The Deadman could tell the SmackDown roster to prove itself and show him who its top gunslinger is.

WWE could then hold a tournament to decide Undertaker's next WrestleMania opponent. That would provide high-stakes material for weeks. Undertaker's appearance then would have a ripple effect that lasted past Nov. 15 and well into the road to WrestleMania.