Money in the Bank Ladder Match – WrestleMania 23
Remember when Money in the Bank Ladder Matches were a cornerstone of WrestleMania? The WWE Universe always looked forward to those annual melees, and WrestleMania 23’s insane edition — featuring Mr. Kennedy, Booker T, CM Punk, Edge, Randy Orton, Finlay, Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy — certainly lived up to the hype of a match that had cultivated a near-impossible level of expectation since its inception.With three of the architects of major WrestleMania Ladder Matches partaking in the affair, though, that should have come as no surprise.Featuring a number of memorable moments — including Punk’s ladder-twirling extravaganza, Jeff Hardy’s ladder-aided leg drop to the outside that nearly broke Edge (and not to mention the ladder he was lying on) in half, a top-rung RKO to The Second City Saint that was rectified with a Bookend delivered to The Viper a bit later on, and a devastating Green Bay Plunge to Hornswoggle(!) — this match certainly left its mark on The Show of Shows' history. — ALEX GIANNINI
The Undertaker vs. CM Punk – WrestleMania 29
By the time The Undertaker returned at Old School Raw a month before WrestleMania 29, CM Punk had solidified his status as the longest reigning WWE Champion in modern history. Though he lost the title to The Rock at Royal Rumble, Punk certainly added clout to his claim of being “The Best in the World.” Given an opportunity to face The Deadman at The Show of Shows, Punk won a Fatal 4-Way and earned the chance to beat The Streak.The Second City Superstar immediately posed a threat to The Phenom. With the sinister assistance of Paul Heyman, he tried to break Undertaker’s confidence by using the passing of Paul Bearer against his WrestleMania opponent. The Undertaker's focus was off, and If CM Punk ended The Streak, no one would ever doubt him again.At WrestleMania 29, the WWE Universe nearly witnessed the end of WrestleMania’s most vital record. CM Punk was unwavering and unintimidated by The Phenom, leading to a classic, tear-down-the-house brawl that left MetLife Stadium gasping for air. But after many near-falls, The Phenom finally executed the final Tombstone to secure the victory and go 21-0 at WrestleMania. — K.P.
