WWE WrestleMania 29: CM Punk vs Undertaker discussions
CM Punk is a WWE fan-favorite for a reason.
He might not be one of the sports' current champions heading into WrestleMania 29, but the upcoming match against The Undertaker on April 7 has the potential to be one of the most important matches of the WWE season.
Even more so if you consider Punk's reported time off following the event.
Wrestling Inc first broke the news that Punk would likely be held out of live action following WrestleMania. The company is already allowing its bad boy to rest his injured arm in preparation for the showdown with the Deadman.
While the layoff is expected to be short-term, it puts pressure on this match against The Undertaker to be one of the best of the current card at WrestleMania 29.
Sure, The Rock and John Cena will grab most of the headlines out front. Returning WWE star Brock Lesnar has a chance to send Triple H home for good, too, and there's always the threat of Dolph Ziggler cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase.
For obvious reasons, there's a general feeling around WWE fan circles that this match could steal the show on April 7.
For starters, some are tired of the Cena/Rock storyline. The pair renew their rivalry in front of likely the biggest pay-per-view audience of the season so far, but that won't stop fans for remembering their most recent matches—matches considered too close to this event to repeat yet again.
The undercard features enough excitement to captivate audiences, including a six-man tag-team match between Sheamus, Randy Orton and Big Show vs. The Shield, and Alberto del Rio vs. Jack Swagger for the World Heavyweight Championship.
All that being said, Punk and Undertaker have the build-up and star-power to completely make everyone forget about the rest of the card when they are in the ring.
Don't forget, The Undertaker is a remarkable 20-0 in WrestleMania matches. It's a figure that will be thrown around until the Deadman loses, and one that has been thrown in Punk's face as he tries to contend with the long-time WWE legend in this singles match.
The Paul Bearer storyline has also thrown fuel on the fire for this match.
Punk continues to carry the urn of the late Bearer around to the chagrin of Undertaker, and this clip from Monday Night Raw on March 18 is going to be a big promo for the fight as it inches closer over the next week.
Undertaker got his revenge on March 25, though, attacking Punk and making things personal for both men with bragging rights on the line and Bearer's honor now the main focus of the Deadman's wrath at WrestleMania.
Throw in Punk's absence for the foreseeable future, and the company has to make this send-off something that keeps fans engaged and waiting for his return to live action during the absence.
It's hard to see Punk winning this match, particularly with Bearer's death the main focal point of the feud to this point. However, with Undertaker making his return to the WrestleMania ring in an attempt to reach No. 21 in a row—anything can happen.
Expect that to be the motto in this match.
Punk and Undertaker are two very different aspects of the sport. On one hand, the Undertaker's reign in the WWE—particularly WrestleMania—makes him one of the sport's most long-standing stars. He's stood the test of time and has a chance to do so yet again.
With Punk, arguably the company's biggest star over the last year, it's all about setting him up for success in the future. The layoff will help do that in the form of some much-needed time away from the mat, and a loud sendoff will do so, too.
Expect these pair to have the most engaging matchup of the current card. Punk's storylines certainly don't need any added boost while he's away, but taking full advantage of the uncertainty of his return with a major shakeup wouldn't be a surprise at all.
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Why Paul Bearer's Death Has Made CM Punk Even Better
If there was any question about CM Punk and his performance in the ring against The Undertaker, it has been answered the past few weeks with his performance on the microphone.
With WrestleMania only eight days away, Punk could be (next to Shawn Michaels) 'Taker's greatest opponent and the biggest threat to "The Streak."
And for those reasons alone, he will prove once again how great he is in the ring and on wrestling's grandest stage. While Punk has been shoved to the side of the WWE Title picture for the moment, there is no doubt the title he held for more than a year will be his once again after he wrestles it from John Cena's hands.
But first, he must contend with The Dead Man and the issues surrounding not only The Streak, but also how Paul Bearer's death is being used as a sidebar to all of the shenanigans that come with a date in New Jersey.
And it is the sidebar that has allowed us to see Punk as more of the menace than we thought he was. How could this "evil" heel battle in one match and come out smelling like a rose? That's easy to answer. He does not have to win. He does not have to be "the one." He does not have to end greatness. He just needs to add to it.
And before we go any further, please understand this is not written because I am a CM Punk mark. I see things for what they are and can get behind anyone who fills this position. But honestly, the greatest thing to happen to this match is the passing of Bearer and the fact that Punk is using (with the permission of William Moody's family) the urn and the storyline to make it better.
Had Paul Bearer been in the picture and in New Jersey, this would be a good story, but a rushed story, and something we would talk about under the assumption of The Undertaker winning again. Now, everything is changed. We see the psychology of it all. We see Punk using the urn, talking trash, being meaner than usual. It's perfect.
Wrestling matches are just that, matches. I almost wish there was a way to have made this match more dynamic for a longer period of time—that would have gotten more fan reaction and we would have seen the true genius of Punk.
This match is now not about Undertaker and 20-0. It is more about Punk and whether or not he can eclipse greatness.
That is why he will shine brighter than ever in eight days in New Jersey.
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Wrestlemania XXIX: Why Is the Undertaker's Streak so Important?
The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at Wrestlemania has, in many ways, become one of the most celebrated and anticipated aspects of any “Showcase of the Immortals.” Fans have long been captivated by The Dead Man’s ability to overcome the challenge of a given Superstar in order to preserve a winning streak that, in many ways, has become more important than any of the sport’s top championships.
In a year where fans have been overly critical about the predictability of the Wrestlemania card, the fact that there are so many that are still absolutely captivated by a streak that has never really been in danger is interesting.
The Streak has become one of the big attractions at Wrestlemania each year, with fans interested both in who will step up to the plate to challenge it and whether or not they will succeed.
Which is odd because, in twenty attempts, no one has been successful.
There have been few, if any, occasions where fans thought there was a very legitimate chance that the streak would be ended. The Shawn Michaels matches featured two all-time great matches in which near-falls were in abundance, but did anyone really believe Michaels would be the Superstar to defeat The Dead Man?
All three matches against Triple H were brutal affairs, one of which resulted in Undertaker being placed on a stretcher and wheeled from the ring. But outside of the Wrestlemania X-7 match, where Triple H was arguably the best wrestler in the business and the idea of the streak was nowhere near what it is now, there was little doubt that The Undertaker would leave Atlanta and Miami still touting an unbeaten record.
Edge, Randy Orton, Mark Henry and Batista were at or near the top of the card when they challenged the streak in the 2000s. Diesel and Sid were physically intimidating, their size similar to the Undertaker’s. The Giant Gonzalez and King Kong Bundy were absolute monsters and portrayed as true threats to The Dead Man.
But the chances that they would leave Wrestlemania with their arms raised in victory were all-but nonexistent.
If the outcome of every match in the legendary streak is in little doubt, why do fans find themselves so absolutely enthralled in the build-up and execution of the match?
Is it because, at least over the last decade, fans can typically expect a very good or even great match?
Perhaps it is because fans of any sport are obsessed with the idea of a winning streak of any kind.
Maybe, just maybe, the undefeated streak represents the one aspect of professional wrestling that fans consider untouched by the ever-changing business. The Streak has spanned three generations. It has survived five eras of professional wrestling history (the early 90s, New Generation, Attitude, Ruthless Aggression and PG Eras) and has proven The Undertaker’s ability to adapt, evolve and stay meaningful over that time.
It is the one common denominator that fans from today’s PG Era can share with the fans that grew up in the take-no-prisoners, finger-flipping Attitude Era, or watched their first match during the transitional period of the early 1990s. The Streak brings fans together and gives them one match a year that they can celebrate, regardless of what the different sections of the audience think about the rest of the card.
The Streak is a celebration of professional wrestling, as well as the celebration of a phenomenal performer who has given of his mind, body and soul for the sake of the sport fans love and cherish so much. It is a reminder of what wrestling was at a time when it is evolving into a much bigger, stranger form of entertainment. It allows fans to celebrate the tremendous matches that have resulted from it.
For one period of time each year, fans simply do not care if they know far in advance how a match at Wrestlemania will end. They simply sit back, relish in the opportunity to enjoy the story being told and, ultimately, lose themselves in the feeling one gets watching The Dead Man defend the one thing he still has left.
That is a feeling that is extremely rare in today’s world of sports entertainment and one every fan should cherish.
While they still can.
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Why CM Punk vs. Undertaker Could End in a Draw at WrestleMania 29
Although there's plenty of matches that aim to steal the show at WrestleMania 29, the lasting impact of CM Punk vs. The Undertaker could be timeless.
Should the self-proclaimed "Best in the World" actually manage to score a victory against "The Deadman" on April 7, one of the oldest and most revered traditions in modern professional wrestling history will come to end.
But does CM Punk really have to "win" in order to win?
More to the point, does The Undertaker really have to be "defeated"?
While most fans may think about this match with the usual "one must win, one must lose" mentality, there's actually another way the WWE can book the finish—a draw.
That's right, a draw.
It doesn't matter if their brawl ends via double pinfall, double count-out or even a double knockout, it's a brilliant solution to saving the hastily built CM Punk vs. The Undertaker feud.
But no matter what, you can bet the house that two of the most respected and versatile workers in the business will have an incredible match.
Heck, the technique on display alone will be more than worthwhile. Essentially, neither Punk nor Undertaker should "lose" in New Jersey.
Besides, even in a draw, CM Punk can still claim that he's the only man to take a win away from The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
While the record books wouldn't officially show it as a loss against The Undertaker's streak, that alone could potentially lay the groundwork for an even hotter angle—perhaps a final retirement match for his WrestleMania 30 appearance.
In fact, when you think about it, that kind of booking is actually ingenious.
And what happens if the 48-year-old WWE Legend is so injured after WrestleMania 29 that he can't immediately compete at the following house shows?
That's simple enough to fix. Just let CM Punk keep claiming that he was the only man to "beat" The Undertaker's streak by taking away his 21st victory.
Owen Hart and The British Bulldog vs. Mankind and Vader was the last WrestleMania match to end in a draw. (Photo Credit: WWE)
Even WWE's creative team would have little trouble writing great material for that.
It makes for great promos, automatically sets up new story angles, gives everyone the proper time to build toward The Undertaker's last match and grants the aging Deadman an entire year to get into the best possible shape for his sendoff.
Although decisive finishes are usually a prerequisite for major pay-per-view matches, a draw could really turn out to be a win-win situation.
In that case, CM Punk would look incredibly strong while retaining his heel heat, The Undertaker would stay (technically) undefeated at 20-0-1 at WrestleMania and fans can instantly start thinking about bigger, better things with a future rematch.
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WWE WrestleMania 29: Why Injuries Have No Bearing on Undertaker vs. CM Punk
When CM Punk targets Undertaker's undefeated streak and The Deadman pursues vengeance at WrestleMania 29, injuries won't get in the way of the two men creating a masterwork.
Undertaker is 48 years old and worn down by a long career in the torture device that is the WWE schedule. CM Punk is coming off knee surgery in December and is banged up in general. No matter, fans can be confident that those stars will give a memorable performance.
They have both proved that they can work through injuries and the drama and spectacle of the WrestleMania match will elevate the physical portion of it.
On the March 11 episode of Raw, Punk apparently hurt his arm against Kane. As PWInsider.com reported, Punk was "working with a legitimate injury."
WWE responded by lessening his schedule.
Wrestling Observer (via CagesideSeats.org) reported that Punk was pulled from "all house shows until WrestleMania for a variety of reasons including being physically banged up." Fans shouldn't let this worry them though. Punk has proved his toughness and ability to work through pain before.
A History of Working Hurt
A pro wrestler, like an NFL player, likely spends every day at the office in pain.
As much punishment as WWE stars endure, who knows how many sprained joints, contusions and pulled ligaments they have to work through. Many times, fans have no idea that their favorites in the ring are hurt. Take Punk's recent knee injury for example
Punk had knee surgery in December and, as Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com writes, "Punk had been working on a bad knee but was trying to tough it out since he had taken the responsibility of carrying WWE as their champion to heart."
Was Punk injured when he wrestled Ryback at Hell in a Cell and Survivor Series? Was he less than 100 percent when he put that fantastic match against John Cena at Night of Champions?
If he was, the quality of his performances wasn't affected.
If CM Punk's knee was hurt at Survivor Series 2012, he impressed regardless.
Punk has been gritting through pain for years. In his OVW debut, Punk finished the match despite suffering a broken nose and injured eardrum (h/t PWInsider.com via WrestleView.com).
Undertaker has proved to be equally difficult to slow down.
At Elimination Chamber 2010, Undertaker competed despite being burned in a pyrotechnic accident. As Jason Powell of ProWrestling.net writes, "Undertaker has been working through a severely injured shoulder in recent years." In March of 2011, Wrestling Observer (via Examiner.com) wrote that Taker's injured shoulder was not "expected to fully recover and could be the catalyst for his eventual retirement."
Despite those concerns, Undertaker and Triple H put on a match worthy of Match of the Year award consideration.
One has to credit Undertaker's toughness and dedication to the business for continuing to return and to perform when he has nothing left to prove. He has defended and extended a streak that has become the highlight of WrestleMania.
A Narrative Beyond Their Bodies
The dramatic power of Undertaker's undefeated WrestleMania streak will help him and Punk create something magical in spite of their ailing bodies.
During his last two matches with Triple H, Undertaker spent much of the action on his back. At WrestleMania 28, it felt as if Triple H was pounding a prone Undertaker with a steel chair forever. It fit perfectly into the story. Despite Triple H's most vicious offerings, the Deadman continued to rise.
As painful as it must have been to take that many chair shots, Undertaker's shoulder had to do zero work during that stretch.
That match, much like the previous one, featured a far slower tempo than some of Undertaker's earlier work. These were not X-Division matches or cruiserweight athletic demonstrations. Undertaker's recent WrestleMania matches have been soaked in grit, powered further by his pain, both real and storyline.
Undertaker has looked, at times, vulnerable and human. Yet, in the end, he manages to claim victory each time out.
Punk's match with Undertaker can borrow from those bouts with Triple H. The two can slow the action down, grind it out and use Undertaker's ailing body as a narrative tool.
In an interview with Mark Madden on 105.9 the X, Punk said of his upcoming clash with Undertaker, "This isn't one of those 'workrate matches.'" He talked of playing up the storyline anger between the two. He said, "Hopefully it's going to be emotional and psychological."
With Punk stealing the Undertaker's urn, interrupting the Paul Bearer tribute, with his constant disrespect, every blow Undertaker lands on him will be more emotionally powerful. Thanks to the streak, every near fall means far more than it would in any other match.
Punk and Undertaker don't have to take as many bumps or deliver as many big spots to win us over; though their history tells us they will anyway. The richness of the story allows them to rein everything in and still deliver a classic.
Injuries be damned, WrestleMania 29 will serve as the grand stage for two of WWE's finest performers.
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