WrestleMania 29 The Undertaker v CM Punk

CM Punk already lays claim to the longest WWE Championship reign of the modern era, and at The Showcase of the Immortals, the irreverent Superstar will try to make history again by doing what no man before him has been able to accomplish: snap The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak.

At a perfect 20-0, The Deadman’s record at The Grandest Stage of Them All is arguably the most revered feat in all of sports-entertainment, so it is only fitting that a Superstar who insists he is The Best in the World has now chosen to take aim at it so vehemently.

The Straight Edge Savior fought his way into the coveted position by triumphing over former World Champions Randy Orton, Sheamus and Big Show in a Fatal 4-Way Match arranged by Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero on the March 4 Raw. Now, the Superstar who is known for holding absolutely nothing sacred seeks to blemish the mightiest of records.

Obstructing Punk’s quest for immortality, however, is WWE’s one and only Phenom. Footage of The Undertaker at a WWE Live Event surfaced in late February, and The Deadman materialized for Punk and the entire WWE Universe to see on the March 4 edition of Raw. Although The Undertaker’s in-ring appearances have been few and far between since last year’s WrestleMania, ring rust is unlikely to be a factor for the legendary Demon of Death Valley, who has repeatedly proven to be all but unbeatable the one day of the year when it matters most.

Still, there is little reason to believe the fearless Punk — who already holds a rare and controversial submission victory over The Phenom — will be intimidated when he enters MetLife Stadium. Punk apologists and neutralists alike concede that the tattooed proprietor of the “pipe bomb” has been stellar in recent years, accumulating high-stakes victories over John Cena and even “unofficially” pinning The Rock at two consecutive pay-per-views.

Perpetually believing himself snubbed by WWE upper management, Punk decries the fact he’s never headlined The Show of Shows. Yet, in challenging The Undertaker’s Streak head-on, The Straight Edge Savior arguably finds himself involved in the one WrestleMania contest possible of overshadowing even the World Championship matches.

On the March 18 edition of Raw, Punk reminded the WWE Universe a win by disqualification or count-out is still a win and would end The Phenom’s streak.

CM Punk contends he transcends the WWE Title, WrestleMania and WWE all wrapped into one — a lofty claim that others have assigned to The Undertaker and his Streak. The outspoken Superstar has even gone so far as to call himself “God,” but for the defiant ex-champion to attain unimpeachable greatness, he must first pass through WrestleMania’s ultimate gatekeeper on April 7.