7. Realistic Motivations
The prestige of the Streak was often the only factor that drove superstars to challenge Undertaker at WrestleMania. That was far from the case when CM Punk stepped up to the plate. His character's motivations were simple, but realistic. He believed that it was the fault of the WWE Universe that he would not be the WWE Champion heading into WrestleMania 29. In his sensational promo on Old School Raw, he made it clear that the fans had taken the title from him and now he was going to take the Streak from them. There was also some genuine motivation on the part of the Undertaker. Punk had disrespected Paul Bearer and had stolen the urn that was so sacred and important to the Undertaker. For perhaps the first time since the defense of the Streak had become a focus of the Phenom's appearances, it was he who was chasing the challenger, rather than the other way around. This dynamic, despite its simplicity, added a new dimension and edge to the rivalry that made it Punk's best ever.