Roman Reigns Chooses CM Punk For WrestleMania 42 Showdown

The road to WrestleMania 42 just got a whole lot more electrifying, as WWE fans witnessed a fiery confrontation between two of the industry’s most polarizing figures—CM Punk and Roman Reigns—during the closing segment of WWE Raw on February 2, 2026. With the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia buzzing with anticipation, Reigns, fresh off his Royal Rumble victory, finally made the decision everyone had been waiting for: he chose to challenge world heavyweight champion CM Punk in the main event of WrestleMania 42.

Talk about long-term storytelling! It’s been more than a decade since CM Punk walked out on WWE in 2014, leaving behind a trail of controversy, including a now-infamous podcast appearance where he didn’t mince words about Roman Reigns. Back then, Reigns was still finding his footing and had yet to become the commanding Tribal Chief we know today. Punk, for his part, accused WWE brass of forcing him to make Reigns “look strong” during their early feud—a jab that stuck with fans and, apparently, with Reigns himself.

Fast forward to 2026, and the landscape couldn’t be more different. CM Punk, after a dramatic return to WWE, now holds the world heavyweight title. Roman Reigns, having finally cemented his legacy as the company’s top star, earned his shot at WrestleMania glory by outlasting 29 other superstars in the Royal Rumble. The stars aligned for a showdown that feels both inevitable and historic.

The segment on Raw was nothing short of explosive. Reigns entered the ring to a deafening reaction, reflecting on his storied history in Philadelphia—the very city where he captured his first world championship and, ironically, lost his most recent. The tension in the arena was palpable as Reigns addressed the crowd and mulled over which champion he’d set his sights on for WrestleMania 42.

Enter CM Punk, cool as ever, who wasted no time daring Reigns to take the harder road. "You could choose Drew McIntyre, and that would be the easy path. Or you could choose me, and take on the real challenge," Punk taunted, drawing a mix of cheers and jeers from the Philly faithful. The two traded verbal barbs that cut deep—Punk mocked Reigns for believing he’s the sole reason for WWE’s current success, while Reigns fired back, accusing Punk of stealing Paul Heyman and even brainwashing his cousins.

But it was Reigns’ final declaration that sent shockwaves through the arena and the wrestling world at large. "Guess what? I made my choice. I could pick you because you’re the biggest star available. I could, yeah. I could pick you because you’re on Netflix and you’re on the best show. I could. But no, I’m picking you because I hate you. I’ve always hated you. And WrestleMania is going to be the best day of my life because in the main event, you will acknowledge me." The crowd erupted, with social media quickly lighting up over the now-iconic line: "I'M PICKING YOU BECAUSE I HATE YOU."

According to CBS Sports, this was exactly the kind of high-octane closing segment Raw needed after what was otherwise considered a lackluster show, aside from the women’s world championship match. The Punk-Reigns faceoff didn’t just set the stage for WrestleMania—it reignited a rivalry rooted in real-life tension and years of professional evolution. The crowd’s response made it clear: this is the main event fans have been craving.

The path to this showdown has been paved with animosity and respect in equal measure. Punk’s decade-long absence from WWE was marked by his outspoken critiques of the company and, at times, of Reigns himself. Meanwhile, Reigns has clawed his way up the ladder, transforming from a struggling prospect into the Tribal Chief, the undisputed leader of the WWE locker room. Their mutual disdain was never more apparent than during Monday’s segment, but so was their mutual need to prove, once and for all, who truly belongs at the top.

But let’s not forget the rest of the night’s action on Raw. The show opened with Bron Breakker unleashing chaos at ringside, still fuming over his early Royal Rumble elimination. Adam Pearce and LA Knight both found themselves in Breakker’s crosshairs, with Pearce blaming Breakker’s own luck for his misfortune and LA Knight making a timely escape after attacking The Vision. Paul Heyman, never one to shy away from drama, demanded a match between Breakker and Knight, but Pearce revealed Knight had already left the building.

Elsewhere, Je’von Evans scored a pinfall win over El Grade Americano after a distraction from “The Original” El Grade Americano. Gunther continued his dominant run by choking out Dragon Lee, who had interrupted Gunther’s celebration after sending AJ Styles into retirement. Oba Femi made a statement by taking out both members of The Viking Raiders in quick succession, while the Bella Twins surprised the WWE Universe by announcing their intent to pursue the women’s tag team titles.

In singles action, Penta bested Bronson Reed via countout after a chaotic sequence involving Austin Theory, Logan Paul, and LA Knight, with the referee temporarily incapacitated. The night’s women’s world championship street fight saw Stephanie Vaquer retain her title against Raquel Rodriguez, despite interference from Liv Morgan that backfired spectacularly. Morgan, not taking the loss lightly, attacked Vaquer after the match, setting the stage for future fireworks in the women’s division.

Still, all eyes are on the impending clash between Reigns and Punk. The stakes couldn’t be higher. For Reigns, it’s a chance to cement his legacy by conquering the man who once doubted his potential. For Punk, it’s the ultimate vindication—a shot at WrestleMania main event glory after a decade-long odyssey back to the top. As CBS Sports put it, "Punk vs. Reigns is definitely the right direction to go and the two men should be able to bring plenty of heat in the lead up to the biggest show of the year."

With the main event set and tensions at an all-time high, the WWE Universe can only wait and watch as Punk and Reigns steer the ship toward what promises to be an unforgettable WrestleMania 42. The anticipation is building, the promos are heating up, and if Monday’s Raw was any indication, this rivalry is just getting started.