Chad Gable finally gets the rub and the IWC is actually happy

The Undertaker effect hits the Alpha Academy

If you have been hovering around the wrestling boards this week, you probably saw the news about Chad Gable getting a masterclass from The Undertaker. It is the kind of wholesome story that usually results in a collective shrug, but not this time. The man has been grinding since 2013, and seeing the Deadman give him some actual, tangible advice feels like watching a guy finally unlock the last level of a video game.

The fan reaction ranges from pure, unadulterated joy to the usual brand of cynical nitpicking we all know and love. Some folks on Reddit are treating this like the second coming of technical wrestling. One user noted that it was about time Gable stopped playing a goofy comedy character and started leaning into the amateur background that made him a standout before he signed his developmental deal back in November 2013. It is hard to argue with that logic when the man has the best suplex game in the business.

The skeptics are still lurking in the shadows

Of course, this is the wrestling community, so the party poopers showed up within fifteen minutes. There is a vocal group claiming that 'The Undertaker's advice' is just fluff marketing manufactured to make mid-carders feel relevant. They argue that if a guy hasn't 'clicked' after over a decade in the system, no amount of basement lessons is going to turn him into a main event headliner. It is a harsh take, but it echoes the sentiment found in threads discussing why TNA is running on fumes while everyone else is playing a different game.

Then you have the contrarians who think the association is actually a net negative. The argument here is that the WWE is just leaning on nostalgia as a crutch because they don't know how to book Gable without an endorsement from someone who retired an eternity ago. You can almost hear the collective groans from the fans who just want consistent storytelling instead of these fleeting 'breakthrough' moments. It reminds me of the bizarre energy surrounding Chad Gable's recent trajectory, which feels like a fever dream for anyone who actually likes serious wrestling.

My take: Why this matters for the mid-card

Here is the reality: Chad Gable is the best pure athlete currently floating on the roster. Watching him hit a Chaos Theory suplex is a transcendent experience compared to your average sluggish main event slog. If the Undertaker showing up just to tell him to sell with more intensity actually results in a push, why should we care if it looks like a PR stunt? The man has been stuck in the mid-card doldrums for an eternity.

We need to stop pretending that every wrestler is a finished product the second they graduate from developmental. Gable spent years working a comedy act with Otis, and if that time allowed him to develop the charisma he lacked, then so be it. The fact that the veteran locker room leaders are stepping up is a sign that there is at least some interest in keeping the technical side of the sport alive during a time when everyone wants the flashy cinematic stuff.

The verdict on the hype

• The optimists: Finally, the guy who should be the intercontinental champion is getting the guidance he deserves.
• The realists: One conversation with an icon doesn't change the scriptwriter's lack of imagination in the final 5 minutes of a show.
• The total cynics: This helps move tickets, but it doesn't help Gable win a belt that matters.

Ultimately, the stronger argument lies with the people who just want to see the guy win. Wrestling is at its best when the guys who actually know how to wrestle get rewarded for it. Whether the advice came from Taker, Shawn Michaels, or the janitor, the result remains the same: a more focused, intense version of one of the most underrated workers of his generation. If this leads to a title run that lasts more than 6 weeks, I am all in on the narrative.

Don't be surprised if you see a spike in Gable's merchandise or a sudden shift in his booking rhythm. The internet is already calling for a major tournament entry after this, which might be a stretch, but it beats talking about the same tired booking tropes. Just keep him away from the comedy skits next to the catering table and let him grapple until someone taps out. That is all we really want at the end of the day.