WWE legend The Undertaker spotted backstage at last night’s SmackDown ahead of sensational return

THE UNDERTAKER made his WWE return last night as he attended SmackDown Live.

The Phenom, real name Mark Calaway, was spotted backstage at the show in Birmingham, Alabama.

6

Taker, 52, has not been seen on WWE TV since WrestleMania 33 last April.

After a three-decade long reign of destruction, the former world champion appeared to announce his retirement from wrestling after his loss to Roman Reigns.

Following the defeat, the icon received a standing ovation as he took off his famous coat, gloves and hat and left them in the middle of the ring.

He then broke character to embrace his wife at ringside before making his way to back for what seemed to be the very last time.

6

6

Since then his absence has been felt as wrestling fans reeled from his departure.

Amazingly, supporters of an Israeli football team honoured with him with a giant flag as hopes of him making a return to the ring continued.

WRESTLEMANIA When is WrestleMania 34, ticket details and how to get there

Taker was spotted in November still look as menacing as ever as he grabbed lunch at a local Subway.

And he was in attendence for the premiere of the new Ric Flair documentary alongside other wrestling royalty.

LATEST WWE NEWS

GRAVE-LY SERIOUS

WWE commentator absent after tweet saying he's 'not famous enough'

'RESTING IN PEACE'

WWE legend Black Bart dies aged 76 just days after stopping chemotherapy

HOGAN JEERED

Hulk Hogan, 71, booed out of WWE by fans after he admitted he was racist

WWE Raw

Latest updates as iconic show makes Netflix debut with The Rock and Cena returning

But it was not until later that month that WWE finally confirmed the news that we had all been waiting... The Deadman was coming back.

The company are marking the 25th anniversary of their flagship Monday Night Raw show with a blockbuster episode on January 22.

6

6

6

A huge number of legends from the past will be appearing on it, and that includes Undertaker.

And it is believed that his presence at last night's SmackDown, reported by , was to hold talks over what was in store for him in the upcoming landmark edition of Raw.

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.