CM Punk Must Prove That He Can Compete with the Undertaker Before WrestleMania

CM Punk may have held the WWE title for more consecutive days than any other wrestler in the modern era, but he has yet to prove he can compete with The Undertaker at WrestleMania. 

This may seem absurd to some fans. 

Admittedly, Punk has beaten the biggest names currently in the WWE. His record against John Cena is more impressive than anyone’s. His promos clearly state that he has complete confidence in himself in becoming “the one, in 20 and 1”. In any normal circumstance, CM Punk would be the favorite for such a contest.

Yet facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania negates normal convention.

Accomplishments that usually appear highly impressive falter in comparison to those who have tried, and failed, to defeat The Deadman at WrestleMania. This list includes four current Hall of Famers and at least the same again in future members. This group has a combined 78 WWE/WWF or WCW/World Heavyweight championship runs under it. 

Even previous victories over The Undertaker mean little when WrestleMania rolls around. Most of those who have fallen to the streak have managed this feat, yet ‘Taker still remains undefeated on the grandest stage of them all.

It is fair to say that this group of men who have failed to end the streak is more highly thought of than any other in professional wrestling history.

For CM Punk to be considered a legitimate contender he must rise above this weight of history. This requires Punk to actively engage The Undertaker in a way that appears to unsettle The Phenom. Then he must press home his advantage, and show the world that he can hurt The Undertaker.

In stealing the sacred urn, Punk has successfully fulfilled the first element stated. 

On the last Raw before WrestleMania, CM Punk must press home his advantage. He could use the urn to set up an ambush, or jeopardize the object in a way to force ‘Taker into agreeing to a matchup that benefits Punk’s strengths. Perhaps a submission match, echoing Punk’s victory over The Deadman at Breaking Point 2009.

CM Punk and The Undertaker are capable of stealing the show at WrestleMania. The biggest problem potentially facing them is the lack of drama due to the expectation of an Undertaker win.

So anything that can give Punk the upper hand going into Sunday could help turn this into a classic.