WWE have CONFIRMED that The Undertaker will be returning on Monday Night Raw on January 22nd.

The Dead Man has not been seen since WrestleMania 33 in April.

12 The Undertaker is officially returning to WWE Credit: WWE

12 The Dead Man will be back for the 25th anniversary of Monday Night Raw Credit: Reuters

12 He has not been seen on WWE television since he fought Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33 Credit: WWE

It was widely-believed that he had retired from wrestling after his crushing defeat to Roman Reigns at the spectacular.

However, WWE announced this afternoon that Taker will be back for the 25th anniversary episode of Raw next year.

A statement from the company said: “The 25th anniversary of Monday Night Raw will emanate from Barclays Center and Manhattan Center in New York City on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, and air live on USA Network at 8/7 C.

"Superstars from both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown LIVE will be at Barclays Center, while the event at Manhattan Center, the site of the first episode of Raw, will feature both WWE Superstars competing, plus special appearances by WWE Legends Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash, among others."

12 Roman Reigns defeated Taker the last time he was in action at the extravaganza Credit: WWE

12 He appeared to suggest he had retired by leaving his iconic ring attire in the middle of the ring after the defeat to Reigns Credit: WWE

12 The Undertaker debuted in the WWE back in 1990 Credit: WWE

Speculation has been mounting over recent months that the Phenom's career with WWE is not yet over.

Vince McMahon's company teased a comeback earlier this month when they announced the 52-year-old, whose real name is Mark Calloway, would be appearing at the Ace Comic Con in Uniondale, New York on December 8.

He will also be in Oklahoma the day before to attend Wizard World in Oklahoma.

And he was spotted back out in front of the cameras last week as he attended the premiere of the new Ric Flair documentary alongside other wrestling royalty.

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Despite these public appearances, no-one has seen the Deadman on TV since that loss to Reigns six months ago.

Following that defeat, an emotional Undertaker took off his iconic hat, coat and gloves and left them in the middle of the ring.

That was seen by many as a sign that the veteran had retired from wrestling.

12 Vince McMahon is bringing a host of big names back for the showpiece edition of Raw Credit: WWE

12 The Undertaker is one of the biggest legends in the wrestling world Credit: WWE

12 Taker is a seven-time world champion and won the belt for the first time in 1991 Credit: WWE

However, there has still been no official word from WWE or Taker himself that he has stepped into the ring for the final time.

Whether this return will lead to him stepping-back between the ropes for one last fight still remains to be seen.

But with many believing his work with WWE was done, at least this provides more than a bit of hope that we will once again see his infamous eye roll and tombstone giving some poor soul the heebie-jeebies in the ring.

12 The Undertaker has battled a number of the biggest names in the business Credit: WWE

12 His entrances have gone down in wrestling folklore Credit: WWE

12 And he is destined to be entered into the WWE Hall of Fame Credit: Handout

And one of Taker's former colleagues believes he could be seeking revenge on one of the company's current rising talents.

Elias Samson could find himself in BIG trouble with the Dead Man after using the icon’s Old School manoeuvre on a recent episode of Monday Night Raw.

At least that’s what another future Hall of Famer Bubba Ray Dudley thinks.

WWE star Roman Reigns on defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania

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