12 WWE Raw 25 Impulse Reactions
10. The Old Guard
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler were stumbling over their brief lines just minutes into their first Manhattan Center appearance on the live broadcast, but their efforts wouldn't compare to the utterly absurd use of The Undertaker on the show.
Kicking off a wretched night of action for the big-ticket punters, 'The Deadman' appeared in front of a live crowd for the first time since his WrestleMania 33 loss to Roman Reigns to speak at length yet say absolutely nothing.
Sporting a wig under his hooded jacket (though mercifully missing the hat, gloves and coat he left behind at the 'Show Of Shows'), his words echoed Triple H's insecure salvos of the mid-2000s. He mentioned the beatings he'd delivered to Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kane and Mankind, before failing to make any further coherent points then disappearing back off from whence he came.
The Undertaker's creative trajectory since sacrificing his streak to Brock Lesnar has been utterly pitiful, with his performance rate working down to match. But this particular showing felt like a new nadir. Devoid of direction and purpose, his croaky diatribe matched the similarly out-of-place Ross and Lawler on the show. Too big for a Boogeyman/Brother Love/Brooklyn Brawler gimmick party but no longer relevant enough a performer on the main stage, the persona desperately needs to Rest In Peace.