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Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak: Complete History (21-2)

The most legendary accomplishment in WWE history was never actually part of a master plan.

The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak began almost accidentally at WrestleMania VII against Jimmy Snuka and only became a conscious focal point years later as the numbers climbed. Over twenty three years, the streak evolved into twenty one consecutive victories that redefined the industry’s greatest annual event. Fans eventually recognized it as the ultimate reality check for any challenger, often surpassing world championship matches in pure emotional stakes. 

The following breakdown explores how the legend was built, highlights the best Undertaker WrestleMania matches during the Undertaker 21-0 Era, and revisits the shocking end of the myth.  Every year, the world watched with bated breath, wondering if this would finally be the year a superstar succeeded where others failed. 

This is the complete history of the streak that defined The Undertaker’s legacy.

What Was The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak?

The Numbers

The Streak Record:

Undertaker’s historic run featured 21 consecutive victories spanning from 1991 to 2013 with the wrestler remaining unpinned during any WrestleMania event for 23 years. Throughout this run, Undertaker managed to defeat legendary WWE icons with careers that spanned across four distinct decades. Ultimately, this run became the most protected milestone in company history.

How It Started: 

The Undertaker’s 21-0 run wasn’t a master plan at first. He did beat Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania VII (1991), but WWE didn’t track it as a “streak” for years. Commentators only began noting his perfect record around WrestleMania X (1994), and by the late 1990s the streak would become the core of his character.

What Made It Special:

Since WrestleMania, WWE’s equivalent to the Super Bowl, only happens annually, the anticipation leading up to the event is usually massive. In the run up to the event, for 23 years in a row, the heavy question of “Who can end The Streak” would hang in the air. Some years it seemed as if the end of the run would come since most opponents felt like a legitimate threat. For every event, Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak began to feel bigger than world titles. The near-falls in later years truly made fans believe that night would be the end of the streak, but the eventual triumph only cemented Undertaker’s winning streak as a sacred wrestling tradition.

Undertaker’s Streak: All 21 Victories

The Early Years: Building The Foundation (1991-2001)

WrestleMania VII-X (1991-1994)

The Beginning:

Undertaker’s legendary streak kicked off at WrestleMania VII (1991) against Jimmy Snuka. Nobody knew then it’d matter so much, but they were watching the beginning of something special. He then beat Jake Roberts at VIII (1992), but it still wasn’t a recognized feat. Despite a rough match with Giant Gonzalez at IX (1993), the wins kept coming. By WrestleMania X (1994), the win against King Kong Bundy was secured, and announcers finally started mentioning how impressive Undertaker’s undefeated streak actually was.

WrestleMania XI-XIII (1995-1997)

Streak Recognition Grows:

At WrestleMania XI (1995), Undertaker handled Bundy again to reach 5-0 as the record became a real talking point among the community. The quality jumped at XII (1996) during a powerhouse battle with Diesel, proving Taker could hang with the best. Everything changed at WrestleMania XIII (1997) when Undertaker beat Sycho Sid for the WWE Championship. 

This win marked the first time the streak and the top title crossed paths on the grandest stage.

Attitude Era Streak Matches (1998-2001)

The Streak Becomes Important:

The Attitude Era made the record vital. XIV (1998) featured a brother versus brother war with Kane on the main stage. At XV (1999), Undertaker almost lost… wait, no, he crushed Big Boss Man in a Cell match. It ended the era at X-Seven (2001) against Triple H in one of the best Undertaker WrestleMania matches ever. The Taker stood at 10-0 by 2001.

The Streak Becomes Legendary (2002-2009)

WrestleMania X8-XX (2002-2004)

Main Event Level:

This stretch cemented Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak as a phenomenon more than simple coincidence and something truly once-in-a-generation. 

At WrestleMania X8 (2002), Undertaker collided with industry legends in a gritty Street Fight that felt more like a war between icons than a Streak showcase. WrestleMania XIX (2003) followed with a handicap match against Big Show and A-Train, often cited by fans as the weakest Streak bout, but it still reinforced Undertaker’s aura of inevitability. 

WrestleMania XX (2004) mattered the most. Undertaker’s return against Kane felt mythic, pushing the record to 12–0 and reminding everyone that WrestleMania was his domain.

The Golden Era Begins (2005-2009)

WrestleMania 21 (2005):

WrestleMania 21 was the reminder of why Undertaker and his legendary streak was a headline attraction. Randy Orton entered as the fearless Legend Killer, openly promising to end it. Fans bought in. The pacing was deliberate, the near-falls felt real, and the crowd treated every Orton counter like history might change. Undertaker’s win pushed the streak to 13–0, but Orton left elevated, proving the streak could create stars, not just wins.

WrestleMania 22 (2006): 

The Casket Match against Mark Henry leaned into spectacle and dominance. This wasn’t about suspense as much as reinforcing Undertaker’s myth. Henry’s power was neutralized step by step, and the finish felt inevitable. The streak moved to 14–0, and the message was clear. WrestleMania was Undertaker’s domain, and brute force alone wasn’t enough to survive it.

WrestleMania 23 (2007): 

Facing Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship, Undertaker finally brought the streak into true main-event territory with one of the best power vs power matches. Two physical monsters collided, trading heavy offense and believable kick-outs. When Undertaker captured the title and reached 15–0, it felt historic. Fans still point to this match as proof the streak could headline WrestleMania without gimmicks.

WrestleMania XXIV (2008): 

It felt like the entire roster was obsessed with ending the streak and escaping with the championship. That obsession drove the story. Every cheap tactic felt calculated, every escape barely survived. Undertaker’s eventual victory pushed the record to 16–0 and became one of Wrestlemania’s defining moments.

WrestleMania XXV (2009): 

“Mr. WrestleMania” vs “The Streak” made for the single greatest streak match. Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels was lightning in a bottle. Thirty-plus minutes of flawless drama, terrifying near-falls, and a crowd convinced the streak might finally end. When Undertaker won and reached 17–0, many fans agreed that the roller coaster of a match was a five-star classic and  considered the greatest WrestleMania match ever.

Why This Era Matters: 2005-2009 elevated The Streak from “cool record” to “WWE’s greatest accomplishment.” Match quality skyrocketed. Stakes felt real.

The Final Years: Peak Drama (2010-2013)

The Shawn Michaels Rematch

WrestleMania XXVI (2010): vs Shawn Michaels II

This rematch took the Undertaker WrestleMania streak from legendary to emotional gut punch. With a Career vs Streak stipulation, every near fall felt final. Shawn Michaels wrestled like a man fighting time itself, throwing everything he had into one last stand. Many fans still argue it topped their WrestleMania 25 classic due to its pacing and raw emotion. When Undertaker won and reached 18-0, the victory felt hollow. Shawn’s farewell, marked by tears and that slow walk up the ramp, left the crowd stunned. It was the first time “The Streak’ felt costly.

The Triple H Trilogy

WrestleMania XXVII (2011): vs Triple H

The No Holds Barred war showed a side of Undertaker fans had never seen. He won and moved to 19-0, but he could barely stand. For the first time, the Undertaker undefeated streak looked fragile.

WrestleMania XXVIII (2012): vs Triple H – Hell in a Cell

With Shawn Michaels as referee, the End of an Era match felt like a farewell to a generation. All three legends emptied the tank. Undertaker survived again, reaching 20-0, but needed help leaving the arena. It felt like the last stand of something sacred.

WrestleMania 29 (2013): vs CM Punk

Fueled by personal grief and CM Punk’s disrespect toward Paul Bearer (Undertaker’s manager who recently died), this match blended emotion with elite wrestling. Undertaker won to become Undertaker 21-0, with the added benefit of the match being both the peak and unwitting last win of The Streak.

The Peak

By WrestleMania 29, The Streak was WWE’s most protected accomplishment. 21-0 seemed untouchable. Fans assumed Undertaker would retire undefeated. Nobody expected what came next.

WrestleMania 30: The Streak Ends

    April 6, 2014 – The Shock Heard Round The World

    The Setup:

    Undertaker vs Brock Lesnar felt routine on paper. The Undertaker WrestleMania streak had survived legends, icons, and decades of pressure. Lesnar was a part time attraction who already felt made and didn’t “need” the win. Fans inside the Superdome fully expected another win. Most believed the streak would roll on, inching closer to the mythical 22-0 mark.

    The Match:

    Everything unraveled early. Undertaker suffered a legitimate concussion, visibly slowing the match and draining its rhythm. Despite the awkward pacing, Brock Lesnar stayed relentless. Then it happened. An F5. The referee counted three. In an instant, the Undertaker undefeated streak was over.

    The Reaction:

    Silence. Over 75,000 fans froze in disbelief. The graphic reading 21-1 felt unreal, almost incorrect. Undertaker himself looked stunned as medical staff rushed in. What should have been cheers or boos turned into pure shock.

    The Aftermath:

    The moment exploded worldwide within minutes. Mainstream outlets like CNN and ESPN covered it nonstop. Fans were devastated, some openly emotional. WWE stock even dipped briefly. For many, this became the most shocking moment in wrestling history.

      Why Did WWE End Undertaker’s Streak?

      Official Reasoning:

      The goal was to make Brock Lesnar an unstoppable force and deliver a once in a lifetime WrestleMania moment. Ending the Undertaker WrestleMania streak was framed as the ultimate sacrifice for the business. That said, Undertaker went out on top having nothing left to prove.

      Controversy:

      Fans still argue it today. Many believe the breaking of Undertaker’s streak should never have happened, especially under those conditions with some saying the concussion robbed it of drama.  Add to that the fact that Lesnar didn’t need a win since he was already established and some fans still have a bad taste in their mouths.  

      The truth likely sits in the middle. Undertaker probably agreed to lose, but the execution went off the rails, turning a historic idea into a haunting memory. Others say WWE made the decision for him and Undertaker, while not going off-script, didn’t exactly comply.

      The Truth: Undertaker likely agreed to lose, but the concussion ruined how it was supposed to happen. The moment became infamous for wrong reasons.

      After The Streak: WrestleMania 31-36 (2015-2020)

        The Post-Streak Matches

        WrestleMania 31 (2015): 

        After the Undertaker’s streak was broken the year prior, fans were anxious. Undertaker’s return alone felt reassuring. Against Bray Wyatt, he looked focused and dominant, winning convincingly and pushing the undertaker wrestlemania streak record to 21-1. The match helped restore confidence that The Deadman wasn’t finished yet.

        WrestleMania 32 (2016): 

        The Hell in a Cell clash was built on spectacle. Shane’s leap from the top of the cage became an instant WrestleMania highlight. Undertaker survived the chaos and won, improving his record to 22-1.

        WrestleMania 33 (2017): 

        This bout carried a clear retirement-match vibe. Roman Reigns defeated Undertaker cleanly, ending the story at 22-2. Leaving his hat, coat, and gloves in the ring made the moment made the symbolic retirement, albeit temporary, feel final.

        WrestleMania 34, 36 (2018, 2020):

        Only tag matches and special appearances followed. The era of Undertaker’s Wrestlemania streak was truly over.

        Ranking The Best Undertaker WrestleMania Streak Matches

        Top 5 Greatest Streak Matches

        #5: WrestleMania 23 

        A rare big man classic with two powerhouses. Both champions looked unstoppable, the crowd believed in every near fall, and the clean title change gave the streak real credibility.

        #4: WrestleMania 28 (Hell in a Cell)

        ​​Labeled End of an Era for a reason. With Shawn Michaels involved, the match leaned heavily on emotion and legacy, feeling like a final bow for an entire generation.

        #3: WrestleMania XXIV 

        One of the finest WrestleMania performances. The ultimate opportunistic heel against the unstoppable Deadman created perfect contrast and tension.

        #2: WrestleMania XXVI (Career Match)

        A heartbreaking sequel. Many fans argue it topped their first match, ending Shawn’s career in a flawless emotional payoff.

        #1: WrestleMania XXV 

        “Mr. WrestleMania” vs “The Streak”: The definitive streak match. Athletic showmanship, dramatic false finishes, and risky setups with the Undertaker nearly breaking his neck during a diving Moonsault, it set the gold standard for what a WrestleMania main event could be and remains the benchmark of the Undertaker undefeated streak.

        Why WM25 is #1: Perfect blend of storytelling, athleticism, drama, and stakes. Nothing topped it.

        The Legacy: What The Streak Meant

        Impact on WWE

        What The Streak Accomplished:

        The Undertaker’s Wrestlemania streak turned WrestleMania into must-see TV every single year. Fans came in asking the same question: is this the night it ends? That yearly suspense elevated the entire event. It showed WWE that long-term storytelling could still work when handled carefully. Because it only happened once a year, it felt special.

        Career Impact: Defeating Undertaker at WrestleMania (even in loss) elevated careers:

        Facing Undertaker at WrestleMania raised careers even in defeat. Randy Orton became a legitimate main eventer after nearly ending it. Shawn Michaels produced two of the best matches of his career. CM Punk delivered his finest WWE performance and gained a defining highlight that still appears in video packages.

        Why It Worked:

        The streak worked because of timing and character. One match per year created scarcity while Undertaker’s mystique made the streak believable. However, WWE never treated it casually, and fans emotionally invested every time.

        Should The Streak Have Ended?

          Arguments For Ending It:

          The moment remains one of the most debated decisions in wrestling history with the double whammy of making Brock Lesnar seem even more unstoppable while letting Undertaker leave on top with nothing left to prove.

          Arguments Against:

          Many fans believe it should’ve ended at 21-0 with retirement. The match was affected by Undertaker’s injury, Lesnar didn’t need the win, and the perfect legacy was lost.

          The Verdict: Most fans wish Streak stayed 21-0, but WWE wanted shock value. Mission accomplished, but at cost of perfect legacy.

          Experience The Undertaker in WWE Champions

          “Relive The Undertaker’s legendary WrestleMania Streak! Play as The Undertaker in WWE Champions:

          Available Undertaker Versions:

          • “Deadman Walking”
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          • Multiple character variations

          Signature Moves:

          • Tombstone Piledriver
          • Last Ride
          • Chokeslam
          • Old School

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            Frequently Asked Questions About Undertaker’s Streak

            What was The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak?

            What started quietly turned into the most legendary achievement in wrestling. The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak was his run of 21 straight wins on WWE’s biggest stage from 1991 to 2013. By the late 1990s, fans treated every match as must-see TV, counting wins and wondering if anyone could finally beat him.

            Who broke The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak?

            Brock Lesnar broke The Undertaker’s Streak at WrestleMania 30 (April 6, 2014) with an F5 pinfall victory. The 21-1 result shocked the wrestling world and became one of the most controversial moments in WWE history.

            What is The Undertaker’s final WrestleMania record?

            The Undertaker’s final WrestleMania singles record is 22-2. After Brock Lesnar broke The Streak (21-1), Undertaker won at WrestleMania 31 and 32, then lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33, giving him a final record of 22-2.

            What was The Undertaker’s best WrestleMania match?

            The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXV (2009) is widely considered the best Undertaker WrestleMania match and one of the greatest WWE matches ever. The 30-minute classic received five-star ratings and featured multiple near-falls that had fans believing The Streak could end.

            Was The Undertaker’s Streak planned from the beginning?

            No, The Streak was not initially planned. Undertaker won at WrestleMania VII in 1991, but WWE didn’t track it as a “streak” until around WrestleMania X (1994). By the late 1990s, The Streak became intentionally protected and central to his character.

            Should WWE have ended The Undertaker’s Streak?

            This remains controversial. Arguments for: created most shocking WWE moment ever, elevated Brock Lesnar. Arguments against: should’ve retired 21-0 perfectly, Undertaker suffered concussion making match look bad, Lesnar didn’t need the win. Most fans wish it stayed 21-0.

            Did The Undertaker retire after losing The Streak?

            No, The Undertaker continued wrestling after WrestleMania 30. He had matches at WrestleMania 31, 32, and 33 (where he lost to Roman Reigns in what appeared to be a retirement match). He made sporadic appearances afterward but The Streak era was over.

              – WWE Champion Team