Backstage News On Why Undertaker vs John Cena Was a Quick WrestleMania Match, Logic Behind the TV Build

WrestleMania 34 left many fans scratching their heads as to why The Undertaker defeated John Cena in a less than three minute squash match, and The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided more details on the idea behind the match booking.

The decision to have Undertaker vs John Cena take place at WrestleMania 34 was made months ago, as evidenced by the fact that Undertaker had been training for several months before the bout. However, at some point in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, WWE officials learned Undertaker could not wrestle a match with any significant length, so it was at that point the company decided to build the match in the way that they did.

With The Undertaker’s “status” for the match in doubt leading up the very day of the PPV, WWE wanted the fans to believe Undertaker would be there, but did not want them to believe the match would be one of the biggest and best on the card, as Undertaker was not able to work the type of match fans would have expected if WWE had built to the match in typical fashion.

As noted, Undertaker will be making his return to the ring at the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia and will face a returning Chris Jericho in a Casket Match. As of now, there remains no word on confirmed plans for the match length, but it would be easy to assume Undertaker could work another short squash match against Jericho considering Y2J is not a full-time roster member, and the match is being booked more as a “special attraction” draw as to building up any kind of post-match story line or opponent for The Dead Man.

I beat #TheUndertaker for @wwe title before. At #GreatestRoyalRumble, I’m gonna BURY his ass…#KingOfTheCasketMatch pic.twitter.com/rLThP1lJgC

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) April 12, 2018