WWE Opinion: What the WWE Can Learn from the Undertaker's WrestleMania Streak

When it comes to WWE's biggest show of the year, few Superstars or institutions, if any, are bigger than the event itself. 

An extremely rare exception could be made in the case of the Undertaker and his iconic undefeated WrestleMania streak, which, to date, stands at 19-0 and remains one of the most reliable selling points of any given WrestleMania. 

Given the lightning-in-a-bottle-like success of the Undertaker's WrestleMania streak in terms of promotional value, one would think that this legendary record came about from from an elaborate ploy that ran the risk of failing miserably, much like the Undertaker character itself. 

However, the annual buildup of the Undertaker's match at WrestleMania is just as much about simplicity than anything else. 

The formula for success is so elementary it's almost embarrassing when one considers that a similar formula could be the answer to the WWE's habitually looming problems when it comes to making fans care about championships and young stars. 

The streak has become so iconic over the years because it is novel.  It only comes once a year, and each year it is afforded the appropriate fanfare and hype to emphasize its importance. 

Furthermore, the Undertaker's streak is about wins and losses.  There are very few pro wrestling statistics that mean anything in the grand scheme of things; however, every fan knows of the Undertaker's 19-0 mark at WrestleMania.  Wins and losses aren't only a part of the Undertaker's streak, they literally define it. 

What has continued to keep the Undertaker's streak interesting through the years, perhaps more than anything, is that it has been protected through clean wins over big-name superstars.  Of all the Undertaker's wins at WrestleMania, one will be hard-pressed to find any cheap, disqualification finishes. 

In fact, only one time in the Undertaker's entire illustrious WrestleMania career has a finish for one of his matches been via disqualification—WrestleMania IX, against the Giant Gonzalez. 

Now, due to the success of the streak, the Undertaker literally doesn't even need to do anything during periods outside of WrestleMania season.  He simply gets to show up, and let the mystique do the rest.  It's pro wrestling utopia at its finest, and of course, its darkest (remember, the Undertaker gimmick never breaks kayfabe). 

When one considers all the factors that make the Undertaker's WrestleMania streak so rich with mystique, it becomes disheartening to learn how much the WWE has struggled as of late not only when it comes to creating new stars, but also when it comes to making their championships matter.

And while choosing the right guy and talking enough egos into helping elevate said star are no picnics, the WWE could learn from what they've done with the Undertaker's streak over the years. 

For any fan to become emotionally invested in an up-and-coming superstar like Dolph Ziggler, they need to score consistent, clean victories over big names.  With Ziggler being heel, it's OK if he gets the occasional cheap win, but the win should be emphasized over all else.

When it comes to championships, win-loss records are even more important.  And while the Undertaker was able to claim his WrestleMania victories through clean wins over big names, I can't remember the last time I saw heel world heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan win a clean match.  Sure, it's part of his gimmick to be shrewd and score cheap wins by the skin of his teeth, but at the end of the day, is this a successful, money-drawing formula? 

Maybe it was with Ric Flair, but mind you, there is only one Ric Flair.   

Having Bryan's ongoing obnoxiousness punctuate a killer in-ring prowess decorated with clean victories over heroes will garnish more heat and pay-per-view buys than taking a count-out loss to the Big Show ever could.  

With the Undertaker's streak lies a microcosm of what could be throughout the WWE once they stop micromanaging victories and start separating a select few from the rest of the talent pool. 

It's no secret that the Undertaker is on borrowed time in the WWE.  Once he is gone, instead of losing a major selling point in his streak, why not re-create multiple, similarly meaningful win-loss records that can sell pay-per-views?

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