LogFAQs > #920278854

4. Wrestlemania 33: Roman Reigns vs. Undertaker "Blood on my Name"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69h-qJZHfvM" data-time="

Everything surrounding Taker/Reigns was terrible. I can't think of a single thing I liked about it, before, during, or after.

But god damn did they legitimately put together the best promo package outside of the big 3. And by a solid margin to be honest.

The theme of this video is so well done, I almost can't think it's intentional.

The first "half," so to speak, of the video uses a variation of "God's Gonna Cut You Down." And it makes sense because Taker is the closest thing to God in WWE. And it sells the idea of even Roman will eventually fall to Taker. Like, yeah, Taker had the loss to Lesnar and really a lot of losses to Lesnar, but largely everyone eventually succumbs to Taker. "You can run on for a long time, but some day God's gonna cut you down. Sooner or later God's gonna cut you down." Yes, Roman. Taker will come. Taker will cut you down. Your transgression at the Rumble will not be forgotten, as Taker plans him with a chokeslam. And then we get the highlights of Taker at Wrestlemania...

Then we get a song change.

There's a reckonin' a comin'.
And it burns beyond the grave.
Oh Lazarus, how did your debts get paid?

I mean, it's pretty obvious what those lyrics are in the context of this match. Lazarus, the man raised from the dead by Jesus. A walking Dead Man. The song, along with the video, is letting Taker know that something is coming your way, and you have to pay those debts for all those years.

When the fires, when the fires have surrounded you.
With the hounds of hell coming after you.

It's so well done here. I mean, literally a member of the Shield, the group that used the Cerberus, a hound from hell, as it's logo. And a shot of Roman with "I've got blood on my name" coming out to show that being the one to end Taker was never going to be a celebrated moment. He's gonna have the blood of retiring Taker (granted it didn't stick, but it genuinely felt like it at the time) on his hands or name, so to speak.

And the video moves along with some highlights, then we get the refrain of "Oh Lazarus, how did your debts get paid" as we get a series of spear highlights. Once again, we're seeing how Taker is gonna pay his debts. He's gonna be speared to death by Roman.

Another smart element is how the only physical interactions between Taker and Reigns in the second half are all about Taker making empty threats and gestures. Sitting up, throat slashing, claiming to dig a special hole in Hell for Roman, appearing in the middle of the ring. Yet who is the one getting physical and attacking Taker? Roman. He's laying him out with a spear. Everything about this video is telling the story of Taker's end. Hell, the song literally says "Oh Lazarus, why you so afraid?" Taker is scared. He's trying to threaten Roman away, and he can't. He has to finally give the devil his dues that he owes him from over the years, and Roman is gonna deliver it.

God, this is so well done, I wish it was for a match I actually wanted.
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TheRock ~ I had a name, my father called me Blues.