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LAS VEGAS – CM Punk and Roman Reigns met at WrestleMania 42 in a clash between two titans of the professional wrestling industry that helped shape WWE over the past 15 years.
Punk came in as the World Heavyweight Champion while Reigns was the challenger. Reigns got the shot at Punk’s title after winning the Royal Rumble in January.
The two went back and forth for weeks, trading barbs. Punk vows to “bury” Reigns next to his father, while “OTC” tells Punk he’s too old. Each competitor put each other through the “Monday Night Raw” announce table for different episodes. Reigns then promised that he would walk out of WWE if he lost to Punk.
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CM Punk faces Roman Reigns before the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
It all led to the raucous brawl that took place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium to end the weekend.
Reigns’ entrance music rocked the stadium as he walked purposefully down the ramp – for the second year in a row with no “Wiseman” to back him up or guide him through what promised to be an incredible match.
Punk came out to the top of the stage and looked out over the audience. He touched the ground and shouted with the crowd, “It’s time to scrape.” The crowd chanted “Cult of Personality” as it blasted through the stadium.
The match brought an electricity to the air that was missing from Night 1. It had a big fight feel to it and both Punk and Reigns brought it.
CM Punk battles Roman Reigns during the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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The two began battling for control after coming face to face in the middle of the ring for a final round of trash cans. They traded knockdowns and beat each other around as Reigns got the advantage to start the match.
A Samoan drop set the stage for Reigns to go on the offensive first. The crowd recognized their “Tribal Chief” as he escorted Punk outside the ring.
Punk reversed Reigns’ attempt to slam him into the announce table. But Reigns whipped Punk into the barricade and continued his assault into the crowd. Punk sat on a chair and waited for Reigns to get him. Punk jumped the barricade and hit a flying clothesline.
CM Punk reacts to Roman Reigns before the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The punk’s taunt didn’t last long. Reigns threw Punk from the announce table to the ground as the referee asked for both competitors to get back in the ring. Reigns obliged as it was the only way he would win the match.
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The match continued as they traded punches and kicks and pin attempts.
Reigns was the first to attempt his finisher. He tried for a Superman punch, but Punk countered. Punk went to the top and hit a crossbody and assaulted Reigns with a flurry of punches.
Punk apparently had the advantage. He hit Reigns with a running knee and a bulldog. He called for the GTS as Reigns laid face down on the mat. Punk went for it but Reigns fought out of it.
Once again the match moved to the outside. Punk hit a suicide dive that pushed Reigns into the announce table. He used it to his advantage.
Then Punk got a little dangerous. Reigns was laid out on the announce table. He went to the top but Reigns quickly got up and avoided the move.
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Reigns taunted Punk as he hung upside down on the turnbuckle. Reigns hit Punk with a Superman punch. Reigns then nailed Punk with the stairs and continued to talk 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, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk appeared helpless as Reigns picked him up. He set Punk up for a powerbomb and blasted him through the announce table. Punk was cut up and Reigns enjoyed the applause of the fans. He threw Punk into the ring and set him up for a spear.
However, Punk fought back and picked him up over his shoulders. Punk hit the GTS and almost pinned Reigns right there. Punk tried another GTS but Reigns hit him with a spear. Again, for only a two count.
Reigns, frustrated, signaled that he would steal Punk’s finisher. Punk tried to fight back, but Reigns was adamant. He put Punk on his shoulders, but Punk countered. Punk kicked Reigns and took him down but couldn’t get the three count.
Punk then resorted to taunting Reigns. He took Ula Fala from a fan and tried to hit a spear. Reigns countered with a guillotine, only for Punk to kick out of it and put Reigns in a choke hold. Reigns fought out of the submission and put Punk back in the guillotine.
As the two broke out of their respective submission holds, they got back up and hit each other with a double clothesline. The fans were ecstatic and chanted “that’s great” when the match ended. The crowd was split on who they were rooting for. Chants for both men echoed throughout the stadium as they traded blows.
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Punk was about to take the tape off his hands and threw it at the ring, distracting the referee enough to hit Reigns with a low blow. Punk tried to pin Reigns, but Reigns kicked out again.
What would it take to knock both wrestlers down?
Roman Reigns is introduced before the World Heavyweight Championship match against CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk got Reigns out of the ring and back on the announce table. He wanted one last blow. He stepped up to the top rope and nailed Reigns with a flying elbow drop.
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 fell back onto his shoulders, but Punk couldn’t muster the strength to start another move.
Reigns got up and hit Punk with a spear. Punk looked at Reigns and crawled back to him. Reigns hit Punk with another spear.
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He pinned Punk and won the World Heavyweight Championship.
Reigns becomes a seven-time champion, the first time he has held the title since losing to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
