Roman Reigns made his epic return to WWE at the Royal Rumble, entering as the 26th entrant and dominating his way to victory. His win didn’t just signal a comeback—it set the stage for a major WrestleMania 42 showdown. Just two nights later on Raw, Reigns made it official: he’s challenging CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at the grandest stage of them all.
Roman Reigns Returns and Wins the Royal Rumble
The “OTC” (One True Champion), Roman Reigns, returned in style after a brief absence. As the 26th entrant in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, Reigns wasted no time in showing why he’s still the top name in the business. His victory wasn’t just expected—it felt like destiny.
Following his win, Reigns appeared on Raw and boldly declared that he would face CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 for the World Heavyweight Title. The main event is now set: Reigns vs. Punk—two legends, one title.
Reigns Sends a Message Before the Rumble
WWE released a behind-the-scenes vlog on YouTube, showing Roman Reigns arriving in Saudi Arabia ahead of his Royal Rumble comeback. His message was loud and clear:
“They begged me to come back. They said, ‘Save us.’ So I said, ‘Okay.'”
This confident statement from Reigns shows just how valuable he sees himself in the current WWE landscape—and he’s not wrong.
Later, inside the stadium, Reigns spoke about the tough reality of surviving in WWE. He mentioned how everyone in the company “talks trash,” and only those with thick skin can handle it. He went on to say:
“When you’ve been here, and you’ve done what I’ve done, you’ve built that equity to share your opinion… I earned that. Nobody gave it to me. I had to take it.”
From facing legends like John Cena and Randy Orton to carrying the company through tough times, Reigns believes he’s earned the right to say what he wants—and fans know he has.
Behind the Scenes: WrestleMania Plans Changed
Interestingly, Reigns’ WrestleMania match wasn’t always supposed to be against CM Punk. According to reports from Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE originally had different plans.
Here’s a breakdown of what was supposed to happen:
| Original Plan | What Changed |
|---|---|
| Reigns vs. Seth Rollins | Rollins got injured at Crown Jewel |
| CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes | Changed after internal backstage discussions |
| New Plan: Punk vs. Bron Breakker | Scrapped at the last moment |
| Final Decision: Reigns vs. Punk | Decided 48 hours before the Rumble |
It turns out, Rhodes and Drew McIntyre both convinced Triple H to change the title plans last month. With Rollins out and Breakker’s push paused, the spotlight turned back to Reigns, who ended up winning the Royal Rumble and landing in the main event of Night Two at WrestleMania 42.
Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk: What to Expect
With both superstars bringing massive star power and history into the match, Reigns vs. Punk is set to be one of the biggest WrestleMania main events in recent years. Reigns has the edge in experience and dominance, but Punk’s return story and passionate fanbase make this a dream clash.
Unless any surprises shake things up again, this will headline the second night of WrestleMania 42—and it’s sure to be explosive.
