The Undertaker’s seven-match Streak of Classics: When The Deadman stole the show at WrestleMania, 7 times in a row

The Undertaker will go down as the greatest performer in the history of WrestleMania. With a 21-match winning streak that comprised of many show-stealing performances, and legends falling to him, for a long time he had been WrestleMania's biggest attraction.

The Streak will go down as one of the greatest things to have happened in Pro-wrestling history and fans will keep talking about it long after we’re gone. However, within the Streak, there’s another streak – a streak of classics – that truly made The Undertaker the greatest performer in ‘WrestleMania history. For 7 years on the trot, the Undertaker kept putting on WrestleMania’s greatest bouts.

Here, we present the less talked about string of classics from WrestleMania 23 to its 29th edition where the Undertaker showed the WWE universe how its done.

#1 The Undertaker vs. Batista at WrestleMania 23

The collision of two power-houses may always look great on paper, but the results over the years have been quite underwhelming. However, one rivalry and the matches these two big guys had in 2007 is as an exception. That feud was between The Animal and The Deadman.

This was undoubtedly the best World Heavyweight Championship rivalry ever.

Batista and The Undertaker had a solid rivalry in 2007, putting on a series of great matches. Their match at WrestleMania was no exception. It was a classic battle of power, with Batista overwhelming The Undertaker throughout the match. Him dropping ‘Taker through the announce table with a running power-slam was a welcome spot. Although Batista lost, he still came out of the match as a bigger performer than he already had established himself as in the WWE.

The match is a must watch for the current fans, who hadn’t seen Batista in a WWE ring, and know why he was such a big deal. As for The Undertaker, he rightly kept his streak alive for the time being and gave Batista his most memorable WrestleManiaia encounter, and himself, a start to a series of wrestling classics at WrestleMania.

In terms of size and brute power, Batista is on par with some of the greatest names in WWE history. He was expected to give the Undertaker a run for his money and he did just that.

#2 The Undertaker vs. Edge at WrestleMania 24

A classic feud

The Rated-R Superstar’s rise from an upper-midcard talent to a main-event star was a fascinating journey that went through cheating scandals, live sex-celebration, some amazing heel work, and a classic rivalry with John Cena. He came across The Undertaker on the Road to WrestleMania 24.’ He had called himself the true Phenom in the build-up to the match; maintaining a spotless win-loss record against the Deadman till WrestleMania 24. He, too, until then had never been pinned at WrestleMania.

On the night when it mattered, the two legendary stars faced off against each other, and the result was a match that bettered Undertaker’s previous encounter against Batista. The Undertaker’s trademark moves, Edge’s immaculate in-ring psychology with neck breakers and DDTs, along with late-drama that rose due to interferences from Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins (The Major Brothers) made for a fun encounter. Edge countered everything ‘Taker had to offer, and so it was fitting that ‘Taker had to dig deep and a surprise Hell’s gate could only save the streak.

While the result of the match may have been predictable, Edge’s desire to shine and his gratefulness to be there were on full show. Also, The Undertaker’s class was on an iconic display that made him the best ‘big’ man ever in WWE’s history.

The match could be deemed a cult classic as both superstars put in their best offenses, making it all the more memorable.

#3 The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25

Mr. WrestleMania against WrestleMania himself.

The 25th anniversary of Wrestlemania saw The Showstopper make his first attempt to conquer the Streak, and right from the moment Shawn Michaels descended from the rafters onto the ‘Mania ramp, it had 'instant classic' written all over it.

In particular, the announce team did an exceptional job of making people believe that Michaels could break the Streak. From mentioning the irony of number 16, as it was Michaels’ 16th ‘Mania and ‘Taker was 16-0 to the contrasting characters of the performers. They made it more intriguing with every passing second. WWE was also to bring the fact that Michaels hadn’t ever lost to the Undertaker before. The announcers did an amazing job of telling this Light vs. Dark story of two "Winners" and it was simply brilliant.

The match itself lived up to all the hype. With an iron-hot crowd to work with and the legends’ desperation to steal the show, this worked like magic. Whether it was Shawn Michaels’ thudding planned moonsault onto the floor, or Undertaker’s scary missed cross-body. Loaded with impeccable in-ring psychology, amazing near-falls, WrestleMania’s greatest performers put on a match that will go down as one of the top 3 best ‘Mania matches of all time.

A special mention to the finishing spot when The Undertaker caught Shawn Michaels mid-air in a Moonsault and executed a Tombstone Piledriver. The match was like that reversal... Unbelievable.

Michaels may be called Mr Wrestlemania, but the showcase of immortals will always be The Undertaker's yard.

#4 The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 26 (Streak vs Career)

Career vs. Streak

It started with the Slammy Award for Match of the Year; the winner was Shawn Michaels’ WrestleMania 25 classic against The Undertaker. While receiving the award, Michaels challenged ‘Taker to another match at Wrestlemania. And, the groundwork for Michaels’ goodbye had been laid, as the match was built as ‘Streak vs. Career’.

This is probably the greatest match ever that we wish hadn’t happened. For once we wished the Streak would end, but what ended was the career of the Show-stopper. From start to finish, this was a showcase of Immortals. They both told a story to try to better their previous year’s bout. But everything they did in the ring still falls short to the result. This encounter too was one of the best matches in 'Mania history, yet the result shattered fans' hearts.

Words will never be enough, as the words that mattered at the end was, “Shawn Michaels’ career is over.” Well, all good things must come to an end; all the same, the streak did as well… 4 years later.

#5 The Undertaker vs. Triple H at WrestleMania 27 (No Holds Barred)

Clash of two icons

A year after Shawn Michaels’ retirement at WrestleMania 26, Triple H challenged The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at ‘Mania. The build-up to the match saw Triple H bring out Undertaker’s fading aura and to an extent his ‘mortality’. Shawn Michaels made his presence felt on the road, expressing his doubts if Triple H could end the streak. Yet the match was advertised as a clash of Titans, and the actual match lived up to the hype.

The match was hard-hitting with various table spots and signature moves, but it was the storytelling that mattered more. The Undertaker was clearly vulnerable for the second half of the match, almost at The Game’s mercy, and it was only the Hell’s gate that saved his day. After the match, Triple H walked to the back, but ‘Taker had to be carried out, as Johnny Cash’s “Ain’t no Grave” played for the Deadman.

This match was a classic and unforgettable in itself, lest it led to something even more magical a year later.

#6 The Undertaker vs. Triple H at WrestleMania 28 (Hell in a Cell with Special Guest Referee: Shawn Michaels)

End of an Era

The Undertaker had already faced Triple H at WrestleMania the year before. It was going to be The Game’s second consecutive chance to break the street – a privilege that prior to him had only been given to Triple H’s best friend Shawn Michaels. Moreover, Michaels was the guest referee for this "Hell in a Cell" bout. And, much like Shawn Michaels, Triple H failed to break the streak.

Nonetheless, with three masters locked up inside the cell, magic had to happen. They did tell a brutally surreal story. Triple H’s ceaseless blasting of ‘Taker with Steel chairs and the latter’s revenge afterward will be remembered for a long time.

Shawn Michaels too excelled in his role, adding to the story like only he could, with his immaculate expressions and emotions and concern which seemed real. In an epic moment, Michaels super-kicked the Undertaker to a Pedigree from Triple H. Yet, The Undertaker persevered, and so did the Streak. But the images of these three men standing on the ramp, spent, will last a long time.

Both Triple H and HBK looked desperate to break the streak. But were unable to do so as the Undertaker once again reigned supreme.

#7 The Undertaker vs. CM Punk at WrestleMania 29

The best in the world

There is no mystery to the fact that ‘The Best in the World’ had wanted to be in the finishing match of the 29th edition of ‘Mania. Instead, he had been chosen to fight The Undertaker. And, whether he liked that prospect or not, he still had the biggest match of his career in his hand. He delivered.

Punk became the 21st and the last victim of The Undertaker’s winning streak at WrestleMania, but before that, the two men put on an outstanding match. Punk excelled in his cocky, arrogant and confident self, disrespecting The Phenom and his Urn. Punk dominated much of the match, even executing the legend’s trademark Old-School on him. He looked like a world-beater, and at times, a legend killer.

On the other hand, The Undertaker continued his merry ways at the grandest stage, doing no harm to his resume. In a delightful moment, he reversed a GTS into a Tombstone Piledriver. Even though it had been assumed till then that nobody would ever conquer the Streak, Punk etched his name in the history books with a near-perfect outing.