After a rocky 2025 that ended with tough losses at WrestleMania 41, Crown Jewel, and Survivor Series: WarGames, Roman Reigns is officially back in the hunt for gold. The “OTC” (One True Champion) kicked off 2026 with a massive victory in the WWE Royal Rumble, punching his ticket to the main event of WrestleMania 42.
And now, the stage is set: Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.
A Royal Rumble Victory That Changed Everything
Roman Reigns’ Rumble win wasn’t just a comeback moment — it was a clear statement. Despite setbacks in 2025, he’s still the top dog and wants the only major title he’s never held — the World Heavyweight Championship.
Shortly after the Rumble, WWE confirmed that CM Punk, the reigning champ, would be Roman’s opponent at WrestleMania 42.
Reigns’ Road to WrestleMania: Full Schedule Announced
In a rare move, WWE has released Roman Reigns’ full Raw schedule leading up to WrestleMania. These dates are expected to feature key build-up moments with CM Punk, likely including face-to-face promos, tag matches, or possibly surprise brawls.
Here’s where you can catch Reigns before WrestleMania 42:
| Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 2 | Indianapolis, IN | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| March 16 | San Antonio, TX | Frost Bank Center |
| March 23 | Boston, MA | TD Garden |
| March 30 | New York, NY | Madison Square Garden |
| April 13 | Sacramento, CA | Golden 1 Center (Final Raw before WrestleMania) |
With five major episodes of Raw ahead, fans can expect fireworks between Reigns and Punk on the road to the big match.
The History Between Roman Reigns and CM Punk
This rivalry didn’t just start with the Royal Rumble win. Roman Reigns and CM Punk have history going back over a decade, dating back to Punk’s first WWE run.
- One of their most memorable early encounters? A handicap match where Punk took on The Shield — Reigns, Rollins, and Ambrose — all by himself.
- Since Punk’s return in late 2023, the two have only crossed paths four times in the ring.
- Two of those were as teammates in WarGames matches.
- One was in the 2025 Royal Rumble, where their rivalry began heating up again.
- That Rumble led to a triple threat with Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 41, which Roman lost.
Now, at WrestleMania 42, it’s just CM Punk vs Roman Reigns — no Seth Rollins, no Paul Heyman, just two titans fighting for a championship that Reigns has never held.
Why This Match Matters More Than Ever
- CM Punk wants to cement his return with a win over one of WWE’s most dominant modern legends.
- Roman Reigns wants to prove he’s still the true head of the table by winning the one title missing from his career.
- The World Heavyweight Championship is on the line — and the legacy of both men could be defined by the outcome.
With both men scheduled to appear on Raw over the next several weeks, fans are guaranteed to see the rivalry escalate. Expect fiery promos, tense staredowns, and maybe even a few surprises before the match hits the WrestleMania stage.
