NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Roman Reigns chose CM Punk as his WrestleMania 42 opponent 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 delivered a dazzling 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 Pakinomist
CM Punk and Roman Reigns face each other on “Monday Night RAW” at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 2, 2026 in Philadelphia. (Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)
The stakes will be raised 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 whether he should go after the Undisputed WWE Championship, which he held for 1,316 days, or Punk – who defeated Jey Uso to win the vacated title in November. WWE fans were more likely to have Reigns go after Punk over the current Undisputed Champion, Drew McIntyre.
He delivered a blistering promo against the so-called “Best in the World” when Punk came out to talk to him. The two traded personal barbs, reviving the story from more than a decade ago. In the end, Reigns chose Punk.
CM Punk addresses Roman Reigns during “Monday Night RAW” at Xfinity Mobile Arena on February 2, 2026 in Philadelphia. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE NXT CHAMP SHARES HOW SHE GOT A 10-YEAR VOLLEYBALL DEAL AFTER DECIDING TO TAKE A CHANCE AT PRO WRESTLING
“I made my choice. I could choose you because you’re the biggest star out there, 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’m choosing you because I hate you. I’ve always hated you. And WrestleMania is going to be the biggest day of my life because you’re going to acknowledge me in the main event.”
The showdown between the two gave WWE fans a jolt of energy as the road to WrestleMania seemed as clear as ever for the two pro wrestling behemoths.
If Punk were to retain the title, it would be his fourth title defense. He has beaten Bron Breaker, Finn Balor and AJ Styles via disqualification since becoming World Heavyweight Champion.
Roman Reigns celebrates his victory during WWE’s Royal Rumble at Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD on January 31, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist 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.
