100 Greatest WWE Matches Of All Time (Ranked)

Technically, WWE classed this match as part of a "Triple Main Event" alongside Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar and The Rock vs. John Cena II, but CM Punk didn't actually headline WrestleMania until 2025. The promotion could get technical all they wanted - this was an undercard bout, but oh what an undercard attraction it was.

Keep in mind that The Undertaker's iconic 'Mania winning streak was still going strong in 2013 (at least for another 12 months), so there were thoughts that Punk could be the one handpicked to end it. That sounds rather ridiculous now knowing the back and forth internal battles he had with WWE management, but there were people freely discussing 'Punk: Streak Ender' back then.

Some controversial pre-match amble saw Punk interrupt 'Taker's tribute to fallen manager and friend Paul Bearer. That, like many of CM's feuds of the era, melded reality with kayfabe, and it had traditionalists foaming at the mouth to see 'The Deadman' wreck shop in New Jersey on 7 April.

This match is roundly considered one of the last truly excellent matches Undertaker ever had. After it, aside from working some decent-good fare here or there, he started to noticeably slow to a crawl and wasn't capable of producing the matches WWE wanted him to. Punk rebellious swagger and the lure of the streak being broken sucked everyone in.

Then, once the bell started ringing, Punk and 'Taker improved on their matches from a few years prior to put a smile on millions of faces. Special mention for Paul Heyman around ringside too. His facial expressions were world class.