WWE star Roman Reigns chooses CM Punk as WrestleMania 42 opponent, delivers blistering promo

Roman Reigns chose CM Punk arsenic his WrestleMania 42 hostile and volition situation him for the World Heavyweight Championship successful Las Vegas successful April aft winning the men’s Royal Rumble.

Reigns appeared connected "Monday Night RAW" days aft winning the Royal Rumble for the 2nd clip successful his vocation and delivered a blistering promo against his longtime rival. Both Reigns and Punk were progressive successful the main lawsuit of WrestleMania 41 successful a triple-threat lucifer that besides included Seth Rollins.

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CM Punk and Roman Reigns look disconnected during "Monday Night RAW" astatine Xfinity Mobile Arena connected Feb. 2, 2026 successful Philadelphia. (Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images)

The stakes volition beryllium accrued and the unit volition beryllium palpable erstwhile some competitors measurement successful betwixt the ropes astatine Allegiant Stadium successful April.

On Monday night, Reigns asked the Philadelphia assemblage whether helium should spell aft the Undisputed WWE Championship, which helium held for 1,316 days, oregon Punk – who defeated Jey Uso to triumph the vacated rubric successful November. WWE fans were much inclined to person Reigns spell aft Punk alternatively than the existent undisputed champion Drew McIntyre.

He delivered a blistering promo against the alleged "Best successful the World" erstwhile Punk came retired to code him. The 2 traded idiosyncratic barbs, rekindling past from much than a decennary ago. Ultimately, Reigns chose Punk.

CM Punk addresses Roman Reigns look disconnected during "Monday Night RAW" astatine Xfinity Mobile Arena connected Feb. 2, 2026 successful Philadelphia. (Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images)

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"I made my choice. I could prime you due to the fact that you’re the biggest prima available, I could. I could prime you due to the fact that you’re connected Netflix and you’re connected the champion show, I could," Reigns said. "But no, I’m picking you due to the fact that I hatred you. I’ve ever hated you. And WrestleMania is going to beryllium the top time of my beingness due to the fact that successful the main event, you volition admit me."

The faceoff betwixt the 2 gave WWE fans a jolt of vigor arsenic the roadworthy to WrestleMania appeared to beryllium arsenic wide arsenic ever for the 2 pro wrestling behemoths.

If Punk should clasp the title, it would beryllium his 4th rubric defense. He’s beaten Bron Breakker, Finn Balor and A.J. Styles via disqualification since helium became the satellite heavyweight champion.

Roman Reigns celebrate's his triumph during WWE's Royal Rumble astatine Riyadh Season Stadium astatine KAFD connected Jan. 31, 2026 successful Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

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Reigns mislaid the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes astatine WrestleMania 40. He’s ne'er held the World Heavyweight Championship since it was introduced a fewer years ago.

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