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One of the biggest shocks of the year came on last night's Raw when Shawn Michaels was speaking about the upcoming Super Show-Down event and, in particular, a match that will see two legends of WWE take to the ring to face off against each other for the final time ever when The Undertaker faces off against Triple H - only for the gong to hit and The Deadman to appear on Raw for the first time since his rare Raw 25 appearance earlier in the year.
While the card for WWE's event Down Under already looks stacked with The Shield taking on Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre, Miz taking on Daniel Bryan in a number one contender's match, The Riott Squad facing off against The Bella Twins and Ronda Rousey, and the team of John Cena and Bobby Lashley facing off against Kevin Owens and Elias, there's arguably no match bigger and more exciting for the show than The Undertaker vs Triple H for the first time in eight years, and the last time ever.
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However, with Shawn Michaels confirmed for the event, too, speculation that was rumbling underground began to create some cracks last night, and those cracks soon flared into an all-out earthquake when Undertaker made his presence known and accused Shawn Michaels of retiring out of fear last night - planting the seeds for the Heartbreak Kid to make his own presence known during the match Down Under at the 100,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground next month.
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But what role will HBK play? Well, he could be a guest timekeeper, an announcer, on the commentary - but none of those is interesting - so I have a few ideas of my own...
#5 Returning to make it a Triple Threat Match
Well, this may seem like the least likely option but, after last night, nothing seems impossible. In an interview with Sky Sports recently, Shawn Michaels did say that, contrary to his previous assertions, he would be open to one more match if it was done right.
“It would have to be done the right way and just for one match rather than something that ran for longer. It could be possible but people would have to accept they wouldn't be getting the Showstopper, Mr WrestleMania, and that I'm 52 years old now."
As he said last night, HBK has stuck to his word on retirement, very much being one of the few wrestlers not to come back for "one more match" - much to the dismay of the WWE Universe - after losing in a Career vs Streak match against - who else? - The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26, eight years ago.
If Michaels did return, you'd think it would be a huge match with strong build, but with the HBK saying that they wouldn't be getting the Showstopper or Mr WrestleMania, a "low key" event (not that I think you could say a 100,000 capacity stadium that'll be seeing Triple H vs Undertaker is that) could be the venue.
It is unlikely, though, which takes me on to the next option...
#4 No role at all
Okay, so we have to go from one extreme to the other, he's either all in (ahem) or all out. Michaels IS scheduled to appear at the Super Show-Down, but what role could he play? It might not even be anywhere near this match. Maybe he's there to produce a match or two and might be out for a quick hello and a promo, maybe he just builds up the match, or maybe he hosts the whole event. It's anyone's guess.
As we said before, Mr WrestleMania hasn't been near a ring for eight years as a competitor, and his return would undoubtedly be huge news, so why blow it at the Super Show-Down just one month away? Well, ticket sales of course, but there's no news of them doing badly, and Michaels could be a huge draw for Mania.
We'll keep this one short and sweet though because, for me, it's the worst option and the one I don't want to happen - but there's every possibility Michaels' Raw appearance was a one-off for the feud and his role at the event Down Under is completely separate to the match.
But maybe there's some middle ground...
#3 Special guest referee
Well, this may be the most obvious one - purely because of the history between these three men. If Michaels was interjected into the match, while he could be a competitor, it's much more likely that we see Michaels play an important role in a singles match between Taker and Trips.
So, what better way than to relive one of the most iconic matches, and scenes, in WWE history?
The last time we saw these guys, it was truly the "end of an era" - so if they're all in the ring again, it would only be fitting to relive it - although maybe without the Hell In A Cell structure around them this time. The match at WrestleMania 28 saw Undertaker go 20-0 in his WrestleMania streak when he pinned Triple H and a reluctant Michaels administered the three count. An emotional reunion may be on the cards.
#2 In Triple H's corner, helping Triple H finally defeat the Deadman
Well, you wouldn't expect any less, but when Triple H is involved in any rivalry, Shawn Michaels almost always has his back. HBK's supportive words for his former DX partner last night seemed to land him in trouble with The Deadman, so if Michaels isn't competing in the match, that doesn't mean he won't get the band back together and make some Sweet Chin Music to help Triple H get a rare win over The Deadman.
This one could even happen in conjunction with number three. If Michaels is a special guest referee, he may very well be impartial... But he may very well take sides, too, and after Taker's intimidation tactics last night, Michaels may just seek revenge on his former foe.
With chants of "one more match", this option may just see us gear towards a potential WrestleMania match between Taker and HBK!
#1 Turning on Triple H to help The Undertaker win
Now this one WOULD be surprising! It may seem unlikely, but wrestling is at its best when it's unpredictable. After last night, everyone is expecting Michaels' involvement to be an attempt to cost Undertaker and help his former DX partner, but the best friends haven't always seen eye to eye.
Michaels may very well turn on his best friend and help Undertaker win because of the immense respect he has for the Deadman - a point he reiterated last night on Raw. Michaels did state last night that the only reason he's never come back to the ring after retiring is because of his respect for Undertaker - stating that young talents queue up in the back every year begging for a Shawn Michaels match, but that the Undertaker retired him and he's a man of his word.
The Undertaker rarely loses to Triple H, but a Shawn Michaels interference to help Taker pick up the win would add further insult to injury against Triple H and, with Undertaker assuming more of a heel role last night, we may very well see a face Triple H take the loss.
One reason for this? Well, if Undertaker is to retire any time soon, Triple H could handpick an NXT talent, or former NXT talent, to fight his battle for him and try to retire the Deadman - and with stars like Aleister Black, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and many more to choose from - well, the possibilities are endless.
How would you like to see the Undertaker vs Triple H go down Down Under? What role do you want HBK to play? Let us know in the comments.
