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LAS VEGAS – CM Punk and Roman Reigns faced off at WrestleMania 42 in a clash between two titans of the professional wrestling industry who helped shape WWE for the past 15 years.
Punk entered as world heavyweight champion, while Reigns was the challenger. Reigns earned the title shot from Punk after winning the Royal Rumble in January.
The two went back and forth for weeks exchanging barbs. Punk promises to “bury” Reigns next to his father, while the “OTC” tells Punk that he’s too old. Each competitor introduced each other at the “Monday Night Raw” announce table in several episodes. Reigns then promised that he would leave WWE if he lost to Punk.
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CM Punk faces Roman Reigns before the World Heavyweight Championship match during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
It all led to the raucous fight that occurred in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium to end the weekend.
Reigns’ entrance music rocked the stadium as he walked deliberately down the ramp, for the second year in a row without any “Wiseman” to back him up or guide him through what promised to be an incredible match.
Punk climbed to the top of the stage and looked at the crowd. He hit the ground and shouted with the crowd: “It’s time to take a beating.” The crowd chanted “Cult of Personality” as it echoed throughout the stadium.
The match brought an electricity to the air that was missing on Night 1. It had a big fight feel to it and both Punk and Reigns brought it.
CM Punk fights Roman Reigns during the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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The two began fighting for control after coming face to face in the middle of the ring for a final round of trash talk. They traded takedowns and slapped each other as Reigns gained the advantage to start the match.
A Samoan fall set the stage for Reigns to go on the offensive first. The crowd recognized their “Tribal Chief” as he pinned Punk outside the ring.
Punk reversed Reigns’ attempt to slam him into the announce table. But Reigns slammed Punk into the barricade and continued his assault through the crowd. Punk sat in a chair and waited for Reigns to catch him. Punk jumped onto the barricade and hit a flying clothesline.
CM Punk reacts to Roman Reigns before the World Heavyweight Championship match during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk’s taunts didn’t last long. Reigns threw Punk from the announce table to the floor as the referee begged both competitors to return to the ring. Reigns agreed because that was the only way to win the match.
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The match continued as they traded punches, kicks, and pin attempts.
Reigns was the first to attempt his shot. He tried to punch Superman, but Punk fought back. Punk climbed to the top rope, hit a cross body and attacked Reigns with a flurry of punches.
Punk apparently had the advantage. He hit Reigns with a knee and a bulldog. He called for the GTS as Reigns lay face down on the mat. Punk tried, but Reigns resisted.
Once again, the match moved outside. Punk performed a suicide dive that pushed Reigns into the announce table. He used it to his advantage.
Then Punk got a little dangerous. Reigns was lying on the announce table. He went to the top rope but Reigns quickly got up and avoided the move.
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Reigns taunted Punk as he hung upside down from the turnbuckle. Reigns hits Punk with a Superman punch. Reigns then hit Punk with the stairs and continued talking trash to the camera.
Roman Reigns pushes CM Punk into the ropes during the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk looked helpless as Reigns picked him up. He set Punk up for a powerbomb and threw him through the announce table. Punk was open and Reigns enjoyed the fans’ applause. He threw Punk into the ring and prepared a spear for him.
However, Punk responded and lifted him onto his shoulders. Punk hit the GTS and nearly pinned Reigns right there. Punk tried another GTS, but Reigns nailed him with a spear. Again, only for two.
Reigns, frustrated, signaled that he was going to steal Punk’s finisher. Punk tried to fight back, but Reigns held his ground. He put Punk on his shoulders but Punk fought back. Punk kicked Reigns, knocking him down but couldn’t get the three count.
Punk then resorted to mocking Reigns. He took the Ula Fala from a fan and tried to stab it with a spear. Reigns responded with a guillotine only for Punk to kick it and choke Reigns. Reigns punched his way out and put Punk back in the guillotine.
When the two escaped their respective submission holds, they got up and hit each other with a double clothesline. The fans were elated and shouted “this is amazing” as the match ended. The crowd was divided as to who they supported. Chants for both men echoed throughout the stadium as they exchanged blows.
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Punk was removing the tape from his hands and threw it into the ring, distracting the referee long enough to hit Reigns with a low blow. Punk tried to pin Reigns, but Reigns kicked him again.
What did it take to defeat either fighter?
Roman Reigns is introduced before the World Heavyweight Championship match against CM Punk during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk took Reigns out of the ring and put him back on the announce table. I wanted a final blow. He climbed to the top rope and hit Reigns with a flying elbow.
The crowd waited with bated breath for the two to return to the ring. Punk lifted Reigns onto his shoulders and hit the GTS. Reigns then landed on his shoulders, but Punk couldn’t muster the strength to pull off one more move.
Reigns got up and hit Punk with a spear. Punk looked at Reigns and crawled towards him. Reigns hits Punk with one more spear.
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He pinned Punk and won the World Heavyweight Championship.
Reigns becomes a seven-time champion and it is the first time he has held the title since losing to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
