WWE Smackdown Preview: R.I.P. Undertaker, Life After the Deadman

Nov. 22, 1990, a mysterious superstar made his stunning debut at the Survivor Series.

He came in the ring and towered over his competitors.  With his frightening stature and in his eyes, you could tell he wanted to hurt you.  After hitting the Tombstone Piledriver, WWE (formerly WWF) fans witnessed the beginning of a legacy.

For more than 17 years, Undertaker has been one of the most dominating superstars in WWE history. Winner of six World Titles and an unprecedented 16–0 record at Wrestlemania, the reign of the Deadman seemed unstoppable.

But on June 1, 2008, it seems that the career of Undertaker is DEAD.

After losing a TLC match at One Night Stand against Edge, he is now banished from the WWE by orders of Smackdown GM Vickie Guerrero.

Tonight on Smackdown, we begin life after the Deadman. What will the New World Champ have to say after ending the career of Undertaker? Will Edge acknowledge La Familia, who gave him a much needed assist at One Night Stand?

And with The Phenom gone...who’s next to challenge the Rated R Superstar and new World Champ?

No doubt one man waiting in the wings is former World Champ Batista.

At One night Stand, he did what he said he would do...hurt Shawn Michaels. To add insult to injury, he added the chilling words, “I’m not sorry, and I don’t love you.”  Will The Animal make his case for being the new No. 1 Contender?

Also tonight on Smackdown, after weeks of being trained by WWE legend Rowdy Roddy Piper, Cousin Sal will get in the ring and face Santino Marella. How will Jimmy Kimmel’s cousin fare against The Italian Stallion?

Finally, in the past few weeks we’ve seen some impressing matches featuring our WWE Divas. Tonight, it is expected that GM Vickie Guerrero has a special announcement concerning the Smackdown Divas.

What’s in store for McCool, Victoria, Natalya, Cherry, and Maryse?

All this and more tonight on Smackdown! Life without the Deadman begins.