The Phenom has spoken, and his message to WWE’s creative team is crystal clear: bring back the art of long-term storytelling that made wrestling fans emotionally invested. In a candid conversation that’s got the wrestling world buzzing, The Undertaker delivered his prescription for what could elevate WWE’s already impressive momentum to legendary status.
The Deadman’s Blueprint for Wrestling Excellence
Speaking with Andrew Ravens on WrestleSTAR, The Undertaker didn’t mince words when discussing WWE’s current creative direction. While acknowledging the company’s undeniable financial success, the Hall of Famer sees untapped potential in the storytelling department.
The conversation centered around a fascinating question: what’s preventing modern WWE from achieving the same cultural lightning-in-a-bottle effect as the legendary Attitude Era? For someone who lived through wrestling’s most iconic period, Taker’s perspective carries serious weight.
Why The Bloodline Story Hits Different
When identifying what works in today’s WWE landscape, The Undertaker immediately pointed to The Bloodline saga as the gold standard. This multi-generational storyline has captivated audiences precisely because it delivers what he believes wrestling needs more of.
“We had The Bloodline story, which was incredible. I mean, it’s probably not even over yet, because there’s so many in the Bloodline or who’ve crossed paths with the Bloodline, but that was such a rich, rich story and it worked so well.”
The Bloodline’s success isn’t accidental. It combines family drama, betrayal, legacy, and championship aspirations into a compelling narrative that spans years, not months. This approach mirrors the storytelling philosophy that made The Undertaker’s own feuds legendary.
The Missing Ingredients in Modern WWE
Despite WWE’s record-breaking gates and revenue streams, The Undertaker identifies a creative gap that money can’t fill. His vision for improvement focuses on fundamental storytelling elements that transcend any single era of wrestling.
“I think more personal stories and vendettas and underhandedness. I like my bad guys to be bad and my good guys to be good. I need to feel my good guys in jeopardy and have them really overcome things.”
This philosophy reflects wrestling’s most basic yet powerful formula: clear character motivations, genuine stakes, and emotional investment. The Undertaker’s own career exemplifies this approach, from his supernatural mystique to deeply personal feuds with Kane and Shawn Michaels.
The Art of Character Definition
The Phenom’s emphasis on distinct heel and face characters speaks to a fundamental wrestling truth. When audiences can clearly identify heroes and villains, emotional investment follows naturally. This clarity creates the foundation for meaningful storytelling.
Modern wrestling sometimes blurs these lines in ways that can diminish emotional impact. The Undertaker’s call for “bad guys to be bad and good guys to be good” isn’t about simplistic booking—it’s about giving fans someone to genuinely root for and against.
Building Jeopardy and Overcoming Adversity
The veteran’s insight about putting “good guys in jeopardy” reveals his understanding of wrestling psychology. Without genuine obstacles and believable threats, victories feel hollow and character development stagnates.
This approach defined The Undertaker’s greatest matches and feuds. Whether facing the odds against multiple opponents or overcoming supernatural challenges, his character consistently demonstrated resilience that fans could rally behind.
WWE’s Strong Foundation and Future Potential
The Undertaker’s critique comes from a place of respect for WWE’s current success. He acknowledges the company’s incredible financial performance while suggesting how creative evolution could amplify that success even further.
“Man, it’s hard to put a finger on that, especially since the business itself is so incredibly strong right now, as far as gates and all the money generated.”
This balanced perspective demonstrates The Undertaker’s role as both wrestling legend and industry observer. He’s not criticizing WWE’s direction but rather offering a roadmap for reaching even greater heights.
The Deadman’s Vision for Wrestling’s Future
The Undertaker’s recommendations aren’t revolutionary—they’re foundational. His call for deeper storylines, personal vendettas, and clear character dynamics represents wrestling’s most proven formula for creating lasting fan engagement.
As WWE continues breaking attendance and revenue records, The Phenom’s words carry special significance. Could implementing his storytelling philosophy help WWE capture not just financial success, but the cultural impact that defined wrestling’s most memorable eras? What storylines currently brewing in WWE have the potential to reach Bloodline-level storytelling heights?
