Projections, Takeaways Following Undertaker's Appearance on 900th WWE SmackDown

Undertaker's words shook up WWE SmackDown in its 900th episode. 

In his first WWE TV appearance since WrestleMania 32, The Deadman announced he was back for good. He told SmackDown's male Survivor Series team that it had to win, or else it would have reason to fear him.

This was no cameo, no self-contained moment meant to hype up Sunday's Survivor Series pay-per-view. This was the re-emergence of an icon, a game-changer for the blue brand.

As Tuesday's SmackDown wound down, Edge hosted AJ Styles and the rest of the show's Survivor Series squad. Undertaker's trademark gong interrupted the proceedings.

In walked The Phenom to dish out two major announcements. 

Undertaker talked of coming home to SmackDown, explaining that WrestleMania won't define him anymore. He then threatened Styles' team, warning that if they didn't win on Sunday, there would be hell to pay.

And with that, Undertaker is set to go from part-time attraction to a Superstar on whom SmackDown will lean more heavily. Tuesday night didn't just mark his return, though; it was also the prelude to his swan song. 

Back Home to SmackDown

Undertaker has spent the past few years repeating a cycle. He has battled on the WrestleMania stage, then stepped away from the spotlight and rested up until the next Showcase of the Immortals.

There have been exceptions, but largely he's wrestled a handful of times a year.

That is set to change. Undertaker's talk of his affiliation with the blue brand and not being defined by WrestleMania any longer suggested at least a semi-full-time return.

It's hard to imagine Undertaker working a Dean Ambrose-like schedule and wrestling 200 matches a year. He's simply too old for that. And it makes little sense to use up the final stretch of The Deadman's career on house shows.

He will, though, wrestle on significantly more PPVs in 2017. WrestleView writer Jason Namako believes a Royal Rumble bout is in the works: 

Major shows like that will be on the slate for Undertaker, as will the occasional SmackDown match. But don't expect him on TV every single Tuesday.

Reunited Brothers

WWE offered a massive hint about Undertaker's direction after SmackDown went off the air.

The Brothers of Destruction appear to be getting back together once more. The company shared a video of a post-SmackDown interaction between Undertaker and Kane:

They are both past their primes. To ease the wear and tear on their bodies while still harnessing their star power, look for WWE to pair them up as a team often.

That's the route the company went when Undertaker returned for last year's Survivor Series. Repeating that strategy will allow SmackDown to feature The Deadman while keeping him fresh for marquee PPVs. 

There has been tons of talk about Undertaker's exit, but the 49-year-old Kane won't be around forever, either. Both men are likely wrapping up their impressive runs.

Farewell Tour

Fans should savor every Undertaker appearance from here on out. He may be expanding his schedule, but it won't be for long. 

Retirement has to be around the corner for the longtime veteran. He debuted over 30 years ago. He's guaranteed a Hall of Fame spot. And he's sure to be aching and drained following these next few months with an increased workload.

The Deadman's SmackDown appearance felt like the beginning of his farewell, as Will Pruett of ProWrestling.net noted:

Undertaker likely has an end date in sight, presumably WrestleMania or SummerSlam next year, and this next run will build toward it. A retirement match will be the climax of that tale as The Phenom rides off into the proverbial sunset.

Rivalries Ahead

Undertaker's warning to the Survivor Series team won't just be empty words.

On Tuesday's SmackDown, he told the brand's warriors that failure will have them resting in peace. That has all the makings of the catalyst for a feud.

Should someone from SmackDown cost the team the win by selfishness or an inability to cooperate, Undertaker will be waiting for them the following week.

This will be a way to set up an AJ Styles-Undertaker rivalry. 

Styles' cockiness could easily get his team in trouble. He's the type of guy to turn on his teammates, too, especially since one of them is his archrival, Ambrose.

Undertaker vs. Styles would be a fresh matchup, one where the younger, athletic star could help compensate for his foe's limitations. Plus, it makes perfect sense for Undertaker to seek out the WWE World Championship one last time.

Once The Deadman and The Phenomenal One are done clashing, count on John Cena stepping in. That is a dream matchup WWE has yet to tap into. It would make a tremendous sendoff for Undertaker.

Before Undertaker slips away from SmackDown again, that bout will surely happen.