Roman Reigns will face CM Punk in the Main Event of WrestleMania 42

Roman Reigns won the Men's 2026 Royal Rumble on Saturday and on Monday he annouced that he has chosen CM Punk as his opponent for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

On Monday Night Raw, Roman Reigns kicked off the Main Event segment with a microphone, asking the crowd who he should face in Las Vegas come April.

Punk then walked to the ring carrying the World Heavyweight Championship and immediately shifted the tone. He proclaimed that he is a full-time champion, a workhorse, and someone who never needed special treatment to be the face of WWE. The exchange quickly turned personal after mentions of Paul Heyman, The Shield and Colt Cabana's podcast.

Punk questioned Reigns’ part-time status and legacy. Reigns fired back by mocking Punk’s long absence from WWE and suggesting Punk only mattered again because WWE allowed him back through the door. The crowd popped for most of the promo segment espicelly after the final blow from Roman. The OTC chose CM Punk after proclaiming that he hates him.

Reigns and Punk have gone 1 on 1, once before while being in the same match with each other14 times. In their solo 1 vs 1 match, which was the main event of a RAW episode in 2014, Roman Reigns defeated CM Punk.

Back in 2013, CM Punk feuded with Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins when they were The Shield.