Honestly, the wrestling world was in a weird spot in 2013. You had the "Twice in a Lifetime" rematch between John Cena and The Rock taking up all the oxygen in the room. But if you talk to anyone who was actually at MetLife Stadium for WrestleMania 29, they won't shut up about one thing: CM Punk vs Undertaker.
It was the real main event. Period.
While the title match felt like a foregone conclusion, Punk and Taker produced something that felt visceral, desperate, and borderline uncomfortable. Most fans remember the match for being the last "great" Streak defense, but the story behind it—and the controversy that nearly derailed it—is where the real meat is.
The Urn, the Ashes, and the Elephant in the Room
Let’s be real for a second. The build-up to this match was dark. Like, actually dark.
Paul Bearer, the legendary manager who was basically the soul of the Undertaker’s character, passed away just weeks before the show. In a move that still splits the locker room today, WWE decided to turn his real-life death into the primary fuel for the CM Punk vs Undertaker feud.
Punk didn’t just mention it; he weaponized it. He was juggling the urn on the ramp, mimicking Bearer’s iconic "Ohhh yes!" voice, and eventually pouring "ashes" over a fallen Undertaker.
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Was it in poor taste?
- The Family's Take: Paul Bearer’s son, Michael Moody, confirmed the family gave their blessing. They knew "Bill" would’ve loved being a part of one last big WrestleMania angle.
- Taker’s Hesitation: Mark Calaway (the man behind the Deadman) has since admitted he was conflicted. He thought it might be too much.
- The Outcome: It created a level of "heat" that modern wrestling rarely touches. You didn't just want to see Punk lose; you wanted to see him destroyed.
The Match That Stole the Show
When Living Colour started playing "Cult of Personality" live, the energy shifted. It was CM Punk’s peak. He had just finished a 434-day title reign and was arguably the best in-ring worker on the planet.
The match itself wasn't some slow, plodding "big man vs little man" bout. It was a 22-minute sprint of high-level psychology.
You had the spot where Punk hit the Randy Savage elbow drop onto Undertaker on the Spanish announce table. The table didn't break. Think about that for a second. Punk’s hip took the full force of that wood and plastic. He spent the rest of the match visibly limping, which, weirdly enough, added to the realism.
There was a moment near the end where Punk hit the GTS. Taker hit the ropes and bounced right back into a Tombstone. It was a sequence they had rehearsed, but in the heat of the moment, it looked like pure survival instinct. When Punk kicked out of that first Tombstone, the stadium actually believed the Streak might end.
Why This Match Mattered for CM Punk’s Career
A lot of people think CM Punk vs Undertaker was just another "notch" on the Streak. It wasn't. For Punk, this was his "I told you so" match.
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He was famously frustrated that he wasn't in the main event spot. He felt he had earned it over Rock and Cena. By going out there and having the undisputed match of the night, he basically forced the office to acknowledge he was the guy.
But it was also a turning point.
Working with Taker is a massive physical toll. Punk has mentioned in various interviews that he was "burnt out" and physically "broken" around this time. This match was the beginning of the end for his first WWE run. He gave it everything he had left in the tank, and within a year, he’d be gone from the company entirely.
Quick Stats: WrestleMania 29 Impact
- Attendance: 80,676 (One of the highest-grossing events at the time).
- The Streak: Moved to 21-0.
- Rating: Dave Meltzer gave it 4.5 stars, which was the highest on the card by a wide margin.
The Legacy of the 21-0
We know what happened next. Brock Lesnar ended the Streak a year later.
Because of that, CM Punk vs Undertaker has become a sort of "time capsule" match. It was the last time the Streak felt invincible but also vulnerable. It was the last time the Undertaker looked like he could still go for 20+ minutes at a world-class level without the "smoke and mirrors" of a cinematic match or a bunch of run-ins.
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If you’re a fan of storytelling, go back and watch the moment Paul Heyman (who was managing Punk) reacts to the Undertaker’s entrance. His face is pure terror. It’s those small details that made this rivalry special. It wasn't just about wrestling moves; it was about the myth of the Phenom being picked apart by a guy who simply didn't care about traditions.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to truly appreciate this match today, don't just watch the WrestleMania clip.
- Watch the "Old School Raw" (March 4, 2013) where Punk wins the Fatal 4-Way to earn the match. His cockiness there sets the stage.
- Listen to CM Punk's "Art of Wrestling" podcast (the infamous Episode 226). He talks about the physical pain he was in during this period, which changes how you view his "selling" in the match.
- Check out "The Mortician: The Story of Paul Bearer" on the WWE Network. It gives the necessary context on why Taker felt he needed to do the "ashes" angle as a tribute to his friend.
This wasn't just a match. It was the final chapter of an era where the Streak was the biggest prize in the business—bigger than any belt.