WWE RAW: 5 reasons why AJ Styles 'exposed' The Undertaker 

AJ Styles vs The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36 is essentially set in stone, pending the signing of contracts. That's official for next week, but Styles' promo was different from anything he had cut before.

He expressed his frustration over The Undertaker costing him the Tuwaiq Trophy at WWE Super ShowDown 2020 and then costing him his match against Aleister Black at Elimination Chamber.

While many superstars have told The Undertaker about how he lost his mystique, Styles went a step extra. He acknowledged him by his real name Mark Callaway and trashed him for not sticking to his retirement in 2017 - something he dubbed as a "beautiful and perfect" moment.

He even said that Undertaker should have retired in 2014 after he lost his streak to Brock Lesnar and brought up Michelle McCool - his wife. But why did AJ Styles take a step extra and expose The Undertaker? Here's why:

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#5. To 'humanize' him and a possible character change

The Undertaker at Super ShowDown 2020

The Undertaker has always been a character that relied on his mystique. The only time when he didn't have the same aura was during his "Ameican Bad**s" and "Big Evil" gimmick. However, he soon realized that The Deadman is his ultimate persona - the greatest character in pro wrestling and he would switch back - and he hasn't gone back in 15-16 years since.

There were mumblings in 2017 about possibly returning to his biker character but that didn't materialize. While we don't outright expect a change in character, the idea behind humanizing The Undertaker the way he did was likely to have The Undertaker take a different form ahead of this fresh rivalry.

It would be long overdue since The Undertaker doesn't appear as though he wants to retire anytime soon.

#4. To give Michelle McCool a role

Michelle McCool

The Undertaker's wife and former Women's Champion Michelle McCool was a person that was brought up and used by AJ Styles in his promo. She was most recently in the headlines after a WWE employee forgot to add her into a list of celebrated Women's Champions ahead of International Women's Day.

Of all people, The Undertaker angrily responded after his wife was edited in, saying that it was "too little too late". McCool replied herself, expressing frustration at the list and admitting to the frustration faced when she's recognized only as "The Undertaker's wife".

That's how she was acknowledged in Styles' promo as well and the idea could be to get her involved in a small role. She doesn't have to be ringside during their WrestleMania match, but even a one-off or a couple of appearances to help boost the rivalry would be nice to see. She's going to be at the Hall of Fame at WrestleMania 36 weekend anyway so don't rule out the possibility of involvement.

#3. A fresh take to an Undertaker feud

AJ Styles was defeated quickly at Super ShowDown 2020

One of the major problems with The Undertaker's matches is the lack of story heading into it. The last time he was involved in a solid story was in 2015 and 2016. In the latter, he faced Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 32 but he wasn't the focal point of the story - the returning Shane was.

In that case, The Undertaker was merely used as a "prop" for the storyline. He had a decent story with Brock Lesnar in 2015 but as a whole, it's been years since we've seen an enthralling Undertaker story. In 2017, the feud was simply two people telling each other "This is my yard" and nothing else.

WWE likely knows this and wanted a fresh take on an Undertaker feud. It's not often that we see him get 'humanized', but given that he now has an Instagram account, times have changed and it might be worth trying something different for the first time in years.

#2. To tease a possible stipulation

Is a stipulation match incoming?

It was AJ Styles who vowed to make The Undertaker rest in peace and that could be a direct indicator of what's to come. Character change and storyline aside, it's been a few years since The Undertaker had a stipulation match at WrestleMania.

At WrestleMania 32 in 2016, he competed inside Hell in a Cell, while WrestleMania 33 saw him compete in a No Holds Barred match where he lost. He wrestled for roughly 105 seconds at WrestleMania 34 against John Cena and it's been a while since he had a stipulation match.

The way Styles phrased it, we could see a situation where the contract is signed for a Casket match. We like the idea of a Casket match between the two since The Undertaker can win the match while protecting Styles.

Not that getting pinned will affect him very badly, but it's a more entertaining stipulation to have the match rather than a regular singles bout. Will AJ Styles be able to get a good match out of The Undertaker?

#1. The end of The Undertaker?

Could it be?

Up until a couple of years ago, fans were clamoring and begging for The Undertaker to finally retire. 2017 seemed to be it and while fans weren't happy about the polarizing Roman Reigns being the one to do it, The Phenom's retirement was inevitable.

After WrestleMania 33, there was a sense of relief that he was finally done....until he wasn't. A year later, he made his in-ring return and since then, there has been a sense of apathy over The Undertaker and his matches.

AJ Styles isn't wrong in saying that his mystique has gone, even the reactions to him are still favorable. This could be The Undertaker's final stand and that's why WWE went all out in exposing him (about things people already knew) and weakening his character.

With that said, The Undertaker doesn't even have to necessarily lose. However, the "traditional" way of going out is on your back - though we can't see Styles being the third man to beat The Undertaker at WrestleMania.