Ranking all 25 WrestleMania matches of The Undertaker

4. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk – WrestleMania 29

Real events became a part of the story as WrestleMania 29 approached. The Undertaker issued an open challenge on an episode of Monday Night RAW to any superstar that wanted to try and break his undefeated streak at WrestleMania and it was answered by Sheamus, Big Show, Randy Orton and CM Punk, who all competed against one another that night in a four-way battle won by Punk. The next night, however, Paul Bearer actually died and WWE made the bold decision to include this in the program as Punk repeatedly mocked both The Undertaker and Kane about it. He even went as far to steal The Undertaker’s urn and dumped its contents on The Deadman leading into WrestleMania 29, giving this a very real feel to it.

Punk continued his disrespect and slapped The Undertaker as the match got underway, but then ate a big boot to get things rolling before the action went to the outside, at which point ‘Taker threw Punk into the security wall and then into the ring post before hitting the leg drop on the apron. He then went for “Old School” but Punk threw him down and then actually hit it himself, in the ultimate sign of disrespect. Very cool there. Punk eventually hit a double axehandle from the top rope to ‘Taker on the outside and hit a neckbreaker back in the ring for a two count. Punk went for “Old School” yet again but got hung up on the top rope for his trouble and ‘Taker knocked him to the outside and went for the dive over the rope but Paul Heyman jumped on the apron and stopped him. Nice little tease there.

Punk got back in control and hit a Macho Man elbow from the top and then went for a GTS but ‘Taker turned it into a nice chokeslam for a two count and then followed up with a few of his signature spots. But Punk once again was able to take control and knocked The Undertaker to the outside, eventually getting him onto the announce table. He went to the top and landed a huge flying elbow but the table didn’t break and that looked like it really hurt both guys. Ouch. Punk rolled back in the ring looking for the countout win but The Undertaker just made it back in and was able to lock in Hell’s Gate for a moment but Punk countered it into a pinning attempt and then into the Anaconda Vice. But ‘Taker fought to get out of it and eventually came face to face with Punk in a pretty cool moment (that’s actually the picture you see above).

‘Taker got out of it but Punk was able to hit a GTS, however, The Undertaker hit the ropes and came back with a Tombstone in a very nice sequence for a great near fall and then they just went at it for a minute as the appreciative NY/NJ crowd cheered them both on. The Undertaker went for a choke and Punk “accidentally” hit the referee, which allowed Punk to hit The Deadman with the urn as he went for the Last Ride and covered him ‘Taker-style with the arms folded across the chest in another disrespectful taunt. But ‘Taker kicked out at two in another great near fall and Punk did the throat slash and went to finish him off with another GTS but The Undertaker fought it off and hit the Tombstone to pick up the win. Really fun match with really great timing from both guys and the split crowd made things pretty fun as well. This was the last really great match at WrestleMania for The Undertaker. 21-0.