NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Roman Reigns chose CM Punk as his opponent at WrestleMania 42 and will challenge him for the World Heavyweight Championship in Las Vegas in April after winning the men’s Royal Rumble.
Reigns appeared on “Monday Night RAW” days after winning the Royal Rumble for the second time in his career and cut a spectacular promo against his longtime rival. Both Reigns and Punk were involved in the main event of WrestleMania 41 in a triple threat match that also included Seth Rollins.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
CM Punk and Roman Reigns face off during “Monday Night RAW” at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 2, 2026 in Philadelphia. (Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)
The stakes will rise and the pressure will be palpable when both competitors step between the ropes at Allegiant Stadium in April.
On Monday night, Reigns asked the Philadelphia crowd if he should go after the WWE Undisputed Championship, which he held for 1,316 days, or Punk, who defeated Jey Uso to win the vacant title in November. WWE fans were more inclined to have Reigns go after Punk instead of the current undisputed champion, Drew McIntyre.
He cut a dazzling promo against the so-called “Best in the World” when Punk came out to address him. The two exchanged personal barbs, rekindling the story from more than a decade ago. In the end, Reigns chose Punk.
CM Punk addresses Roman Reigns during “Monday Night RAW” at the Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 2, 2026 in Philadelphia. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE NXT CHAMPION SHARES HOW SHE RECEIVED A 10-YEAR BAN FROM VOLLEYBALL AFTER DECIDING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY IN PRO WRESTLING
“I made my choice. I could choose you because you’re the biggest star available, I could. I could choose you because you’re on Netflix and you’re on the best show I could,” Reigns said. “But no, I choose you because I hate you. I’ve always hated you. And WrestleMania will be the best day of my life because, in the main event, you will recognize me.”
The showdown between the two gave WWE fans a jolt of energy as the path to WrestleMania appeared to be clearer than ever for the two giants of professional wrestling.
If Punk were to retain the title, it would be his fourth title defense. He has defeated Bron Breakker, Finn Balor and AJ Styles by disqualification since becoming world heavyweight champion.
Roman Reigns celebrates his victory during the WWE Royal Rumble at the Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD on January 31, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
Reigns lost the WWE Undisputed Championship to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. He has never held the World Heavyweight Championship since it was introduced a few years ago.
