Smackdown: Paul Bearer lives!
In my review of last Sunday’s Night of Champions pay-per-view, I included a line about The Undertaker possibly bringing back Paul Bearer from the dead to help him “urn back” his dark powers.
Sure enough, there was the morbid manager rising from a casket, urn in hand, to reunite with The Undertaker at the end of Smackdown Friday night.
You didn’t need to have supernatural powers to figure out that Bearer’s return to WWE after a six-year absence was imminent. No Undertaker-Kane program would be complete without him, and with The Undertaker needing something to help him get back on track, it was a no-brainer.
The Undertaker – who was shown several times throughout the show sitting alone and despondent backstage – immediately perked up when he saw Bearer. Suddenly, he looked like The Undertaker of old rather than an old Undertaker, and he got the better of a physical exchange with a stunned Kane. As expected, it was announced that Kane will defend the world heavyweight title against The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match at the pay-per-view of the same name on Oct. 3.
It will be interesting to see if WWE addresses the fact that the last time we saw Bearer, The Undertaker seemingly murdered him by burying him in an enclosed case filled with cement. How did Bearer survive? And why has he chosen to side with The Undertaker rather than his “son” Kane?
Whether or not it was by design, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for WWE to be doing a story line with these three characters, as Smackdown officially moves to SyFy this coming Friday.
Other thoughts on Friday’s show:
In an attempt to make the best of the unfortunate situation of Christian suffering a torn pectoral muscle, WWE got heat on Alberto Del Rio, who attacked and “injured” Christian. In the story line, Del Rio has now put out both Christian and Rey Mysterio, who will be returning on next week’s show to wrestle Del Rio. …
Kane again did some good mic work, but I’m begging WWE to stop playing the hokey music when he’s speaking. The story line is hokey enough already. …
The Kane-Chris Masters match that opened the show was pretty boring. The crowd was dead silent during the spot in which Masters had Kane in The Masterlock, as no one believed for a second that Kane wasn’t going to break the hold. …
WWE NXT Season 2 winner Kaval isn’t getting quite the same push that Season 1 winner Wade Barrett is getting. Barrett is feuding with John Cena and wrestling in pay-per-view main events. Kaval, on the other hand, just jobbed to Chavo Guerrero. I had no problem with Kaval losing a very competitive match to Drew McIntyre in his Smackdown debut, but putting over Chavo? What the [heck]? …
McIntyre and Cody Rhodes’ successful defense of the WWE tag team title against The Hart Dynasty was an OK match. By the way, why was this match taking place on Smackdown? Aren’t David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd officially members of the Raw roster? Ah whatever. …
I’m not too optimistic about the future of the Vance Archer/Curt Hawkins tag team, as they were squashed by The Big Show in a handicap match that lasted a little over a minute. Ouch. …
I was surprised at the finish to the match between Intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler and MVP, as Ziggler walked away during the contest and was counted out. I thought for sure MVP was going to lose, but the result of this match seems to indicate that there will be a title program between the two. MVP is in and out if the doghouse so often that you never know from one week to the next whether he’ll be getting a bit of a push or jobbing on WWE Superstars. …
Vickie Guerrero was shoved down by her NXT Season 3 rookie, Kaitlyn, during the Ziggler-MVP match. I f figured it would be weeks before we saw anything like that between the two women. WWE definitely isn’t wasting any time with advancing this story line. …
Luke Gallows got in a lot of offense before losing to CM Punk. I still think WWE disbanded the Straight Edge Society way too prematurely, and it feels like the talented Punk is just treading water right now. …
I think The Dudebusters are supposed to be babyfaces now, but taking the jump rope away from Rosa Mendes while she was using it was a heel move in my book. Look, Dudes, never, ever interrupt Rosa when she is jumping up and down. OK? Thanks. …
Looking ahead to Smackdown’s debut on SyFy this Friday, it was announced that both Cena and The Nexus will appear on the show.
Comments
Looks like u called it right Eck. As soon as Taker perked up I knew the Father of Destruction was back. He's looking healthy too which is a good thing.
Cena and Nexus on Smackdown? UH UH. Not having that hokey Superdoof on there. Nexus I don't mind.
Not loving those Tag Team Belts. Why make em copper? They look disgusting.
I'm gonna miss Christian. He's been the best bit of Smackdown for me, apart from CM Punk, Kofi and MVP. And on the subject of Punk, why oh why are they continuing to hold him back from the WHC picture? It's such a joke when the Big Slow gets the shot but Punk, who in my eyes is dynamite on the mic and a superb wrestler to boot, keeps getting passed over for the Big Slow.
Kaitlyn is HOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!! I fell in love Friday.
As for the move to SyFy, why not bring The Rock back for the move and have him do a promo eh? It is still The Rock's show after all. I know Edge and Jericho have used that line before but we all know Smackdown will forever be The Rock's show.
And has there been any news on him hosting Raw or that elongated spell on WWE?
I read somewhere that he was all set to return for Mania 24 once and Vince had paved the way but then Cripple H, Steph and Superdoof threatened to walk out! Is that true?
Posted by: Farai MC | September 26, 2010 7:42 AM
I thought that was not a very good Smackdown, although I was happy to see Paul Bearer. You called it! Hard to believe it's really been six years.
Where did Friday's show "emanate" from? That was the deadest crowd I've ever seen! Even Del Rio talking about Rey Mysterio coming back couldn't get a murmur out of them. What a bunch of stiffs.
Posted by: Jules B. | September 26, 2010 9:25 AM
i havent watched wwe programming in quite a few month.Just read up occasionally about what is happening.And I can still see,a mile away,that Paul Bearer will turn on Undertaker @the next PPV.It's obivious to me,and i havent even watched it
Posted by: kb | September 26, 2010 10:20 AM
"As for the move to SyFy, why not bring The Rock back for the move and have him do a promo eh?"
Uhh...because he has better things to do? People need to get over this insane delusion that Dwayne Johnson is ever coming back.
Posted by: loco | September 26, 2010 10:42 AM
Dear Kevin,
maybe you don't remember but Paul Bearer was not "killed" at the great american bash years ago. "On the following week's SmackDown!, Bearer was acknowledged to be alive, although gravely injured, for kayfabe purposes." This update also was posted on wwe.com following the great american bash ppv. Just wanted to let you know, take care.
Posted by: Fuat Somay | September 26, 2010 1:00 PM
Where have I seen that moving schtick before? Does this mean the Dudemeisters are the new Jesse and Festus?
Posted by: PartiallyDeflected | September 26, 2010 1:09 PM
Thank goodness it was Paul Bearer they brought back and not Brother Love!
Posted by: Roger | September 26, 2010 3:33 PM
Fitting that Paul Bearer is back. It made me wonder when the last time was that he'd been involved in storylines since I'd forgotten how long ago the cement thing was, and along the way I ended up on his website.
There's a photo gallery with lots of good stuff from past years, both before and during his time as Paul Bearer.
Check it out: http://percypringle.com/GalleryMain-02/PhotoGallery.html
Posted by: James V. | September 26, 2010 3:34 PM
" I still think WWE disbanded the Straight Edge Society way too prematurely, and it feels like the talented Punk is just treading water right now. …". No, it should be done. They fired Serena, Joey Matthews is hurt and Gallows isn't impressive. Punk is fine by himself; they should have had "name" wrestlers in the SES and that would have made it better. If RVD and Jeff Hardy were still in WWE, they would have been perfect for "saving".......
Posted by: Horseman420 | September 26, 2010 7:10 PM
Kev, just wondering, what do you mean by CM Punk is treading water? That he's losing his heat/star quality? Or in the doghouse? I think he's a top performer and would love to see him back in the world title picture. He was hilarious on NXT last week aswell. Thanks Kev, keep up the great work!
RESPONSE FROM KE: He's not making any progress -- he's just kind of there.
Posted by: Orton.1 | September 26, 2010 7:17 PM
Paul Bearer? Is that his name?
C'mon, this must be a joke.
That's the dumbest character I have ever heard of!
Even Friday the 13th part umpteenth had more believable characters.
Who's next, the tooth fairy?
Posted by: AMC | September 26, 2010 7:42 PM
FORGET THE ROCK,BRING BACK STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN. IF U WANT TO SEE STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN BACK ON SMACKDOWN GIVE ME A HELL YEAH.
Posted by: XAVIER | September 26, 2010 8:18 PM
good article Kev. I for one am glad Paul Bearer is back. You're right, a Kane/Undertaker feud cant happen with out their dear old dad.
One of the comments on here says Paul Bearer is the dumbest character ever. Come on, do wrestling fans have short-term memory loss? How bout Shark-boy, curry man, Isaac Yankem D.D.S. (Kane), Disco Inferno, the Yeti, Bastion Booger, The boogeyman?!?!?!?!? Come on!
Posted by: Von | September 26, 2010 10:07 PM
Hell NO - Its been to death at this stage
Posted by: Anthony | September 27, 2010 5:51 AM
Thanks James V. Percy Pringle's, that is Paul Bearer's photo gallery is one fantastic trip down meomory lane.
Posted by: mr. eli | September 27, 2010 8:37 AM
@AMC: Are you for real?
@Jules: totally agree on the crowd. They were terrible and managed to make a pretty good episode of Smackdown seem boring.
Posted by: Don | September 27, 2010 9:17 AM
HELL NO!
Posted by: Chiskabob | September 27, 2010 9:30 AM
Paul Bearer originated in the era of WWE in which every wrestler must have a cartoony gimmick. For example, there were: the Mountie; Big Boss Man (police); Nailz (ex-con); Giant Gonzalez; Repo Man; Doink the Clown etc..
It was a different era, much more aimed at kids than it is, even now.
But Bearer is an absolute legend. I wrote to the guy and he sent me a very kind reply, about a year or so ago.
Heard he had a lot of health problems in the past, so good to see he's healthy again.
Posted by: John Wilding | September 27, 2010 9:55 AM
I think its sad how wwe is trying bring down CM Punk you figure no drinking and smoking no drugs would fit the PG motto Punk has been real entertaining as a heel maybe they change back to babyface he has a lot of talent hate to see Punk as a future endever .
Posted by: ryan | September 27, 2010 10:07 AM
Hey Eck. You do know that WWE edited out the "WHAT?" chants they were doing at Del Rio, right?
I could tell that the sound was cutting out and coming back after each one of his sentences. Are they that desperate to get him over that they are now messing with live fan reactions?
I am starting to tire of the manipulation. What do you think?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I have no problem with "what?" chants being edited out. It's so tired and lame and it distracts fans and viewers who actually would rather hear what the performer has to say than a bunch of tools who think they're clever.
Posted by: Bri on LI | September 27, 2010 10:32 AM
"Paul Bearer? Is that his name? C'mon, this must be a joke. That's the dumbest character I have ever heard of!"
Obviously you are a new fan of WWE! Paul Bearer MADE the Undertaker a LEGEND!
Kevin,
Think we'll see the Big Red Monster bring back the Mask in retaliation to Bearer's return. I am thinking he will, but we wont see in until his entrance music hits at HITC! Imagine the Music and Fire hitting, followed by Kane walking out WITH the Mask on!
Posted by: Rumpke | September 27, 2010 12:35 PM
@XAVIER: WATTT?????!!!!!
Posted by: Saaron | September 27, 2010 1:48 PM
The problem with Punk and the whole straight edge angle is that in a PG WWE there's not a whole lot of room for alcohol and drug use. So who is there to save?
Posted by: Bill H | September 27, 2010 3:22 PM
I read in an article that Paul Bearer has signed a new contract with WWE, and from what it said, it seems like it's not just a short-term deal. He still is allowed to work indy shows, but WWE has priority. I'm glad that he's back, because they finally have a decent manager in the WWE. Besides Runjin Singh, they haven't had any real managers since Armando Estrada
Posted by: paul | September 27, 2010 4:02 PM
Any word on how Christian was injured?
Posted by: eee | September 27, 2010 7:39 PM
@Bri on LI:
Maybe WWE should have also piped in some crowd noise as well, because that crowd was DEAD.
RESPONSE FROM KE: It really was a bad crowd.
Posted by: Don | September 28, 2010 10:05 AM
I would love to see Punk somehow turn face and start a program with Del Rio.
I was totally excited to see Pearcy Pringle/ Paul Bearer back. But I kind of hope this fued does not end like it did at Wrestlemania XX and just fizzle. Somehow, someway, they need someone else added to the mix. Someone to side with kane.
I think its time for Hornswaggle to go looking for Finlay and not come back.
Posted by: Peter | September 28, 2010 10:18 AM
Christian wasn't injured in any one particular match. His body just gave out from carrying so many wrestlers to entertaining segments and quality matches.
Posted by: Jack Windham | September 28, 2010 2:05 PM
I've got to disagree about the "What" chants? As someone whose professional wrestling viewership was waning at the end of the Attitude era, the occasional nod to the style of program I grew up loving serves to make getting used to this new version easier.
But people do need to give up on the idea that we'll ever see Stone Cold or The Rock back in any real way. That ship has sailed.
Posted by: Kyle | September 29, 2010 8:38 AM