WWE RAW: 5 reasons why The Undertaker possibly changed his gimmick after 16 years

It's official. AJ Styles will be facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania 36. While we felt the match would have been perfect for Royal Rumble 2017 (the timing worked out well, but Styles' match against John Cena was an all-time classic regardless), but it's better late than never.

This week's episode of RAW emanated from the Performance Center, as will the remaining episodes of the RAW and SmackDown. As we know by now, WWE confirmed that WrestleMania 36 will go on - but in the Performance Center and not the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

The contracts have been signed and in an interesting segment, AJ Styles had a 'confrontation' with The Undertaker. Jerry Lawler was there to begin the proceedings as usual, but a furious Undertaker came out (in what we anticipate is the fastest entrance of his career) without the overcoat and the hat and his hair tied up - resembling his days as the American Bada**.

Did The Undertaker potentially change his gimmick after 16 years? If so, why? Here are a few possible theories.

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#5. Adding fuel to the 'real-life' aspect of the feud

AJ Styles lost the Tuwaiq Trophy because of The Undertaker

Last week on RAW, AJ Styles cut an interesting promo where he 'exposed' The Undertaker. He took a different angle and in certain ways, was on the edge of the fourth wall. He called him Mark Callaway - something that we can't remember anyone last doing. He even said what was on all of our minds - that The Undertaker should have retired in 2014 after losing to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania XXX.

He even revealed his marriage to former WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool (not that it was a secret) and said that she essentially controls The Undertaker. This aspect of the rivalry was likely done to set up a change in gimmick for The Undertaker.

#4. Something is needed to make WrestleMania more interesting now

The Undertaker making quick work of AJ Styles at Super ShowDown 2020

WWE has been put in a situation where they've been desperate. While they're undoubtedly going to lose millions of dollars due to this issue, the reality is that they'll be fine financially, having made great profit margins in recent years.

However, hosting WrestleMania 36 in the Performance Center wasn't what WWE would have wanted or anticipated. Regardless, the situation is what it is and the safety of thousands and possibly millions of people is far more important than a big wrestling show, no matter what anyone else thinks.

WWE knows that they're going to have to think outside the box when it comes to WrestleMania 36 this year, especially since they planned their annual stadium show but will have to settle for an arena far smaller. To gain traction and keep viewers, they likely need to go for something different and a change in gimmick for The Undertaker is a great way to do so.

#3. Time to change it up after all these years

The Undertaker could be in for a huge change

It's highly likely that one of the reasons why The Undertaker is possibly changing gimmicks again is simply because it's long overdue. He's been around for longer than any Superstar today or in any era, but the reality is that in wrestling, things are constantly evolving and things need to change.

Kane's career is the definition of that. With multiple face and heel turns through the years, he has also had multiple changes in gimmicks to stay fresh and relevant - and it largely worked. The Undertaker was an exception to that rule for the past decade and a half because of the aura that he has and the significance of his name and presence alone.

The classic Undertaker gimmick would work simply due to the nostalgia factor but in the last few years, there has been a sense of repetitiveness and staleness to his matches and appearances. Perhaps he felt the time was right to pull the trigger on a big change.

#2. He's not retiring anytime soon

The Undertaker after beating AJ Styles at Super ShowDown 2020

This was frustrating to write about, talk about, and even think about just two years ago. When The Undertaker lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33, he took off his hat, his gloves, his jacket and laid it all in the center of the ring.

He went over to ringside, where he kissed his wife Michelle McCool in a rare out-of-character moment. He walked to the ramp, raised his hand and exited - indicating the end of his illustrious 26-and-a-half-year career. It's been 3 years since then and he's still wrestling.

It was disappointing to see him return in 2018 - especially when many felt he was a character so strong that he should never have appeared after retirement. We agree, but it is what it is. The Saudi Arabia deal also changed the game for him a bit and he's likely getting a better payday for lesser work.

While we can't blame him, the gimmick change is a possible indication that he has no plans to retire anytime soon.

#1. He's genuinely invested in the AJ Styles feud

Not the expected confrontation

Everybody loves working with AJ Styles. His in-ring talent is on such a high level that WWE, within his first year in the company, they put the world title on him and dubbed him as the best in-ring performer of this generation - a huge comparison to Shawn Michaels.

Styles being so good even prompted WWE to try to contact Michaels to have a return match with him, but the Heartbreak Kid refused to do so, wanting to honor his retirement (though he broke that in 2018).

The personal aspect of the rivalry with AJ Styles is what makes it so different and The Undertaker likely knows that this is his most interesting feud and match in many years. He could simply be motivated, which is what prompted him to make a major change. Even if he's beating AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36 (which we fully expect him to), he could still put him over without outright losing to him. AJ Styles deserves that much.