The main event for WrestleMania is set following the closing segment of Monday Night Raw. 2026 Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns officially announced that he will challenge World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk for the title at the upcoming event.
Reigns opened the segment by addressing the crowd in Philadelphia, reflecting on his history in the city. He noted that he won his first World Title in Philadelphia on his daughter’s birthday, lost a championship there, and won his first Royal Rumble in the city 11 years ago. He stated that he returned 11 years later as a two-time Rumble winner to make a decision regarding his WrestleMania opponent.
Reigns polled the audience on whether he should face World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk or WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. The crowd chanted for Punk.
CM Punk interrupted the segment, walking to the ring. Before addressing Reigns, Punk issued a message to Finn Bálor regarding an attack that occurred earlier in the broadcast. Punk stated, “You said you are not a bad guy, but when you push me, I am the baddest guy, and you will find out when I face you again.”
Turning to Reigns, Punk remarked that Reigns is “just a visitor” on Raw. Punk suggested that Reigns should take the “easy way out” and select Drew McIntyre. Reigns responded by noting that McIntyre is four times Punk’s size and previously had Punk “crying over a plastic bracelet.”
The exchange shifted to a comparison of their respective careers. Punk claimed he defeated McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell, whereas Reigns relied on his “cousins” to win matches for years. Punk also accused Reigns of holding the company “hostage” rather than elevating it.
“You followed in my footsteps,” Punk told Reigns. “I was champion for 434 days with Paul Heyman. You took what I did and ran with it… You might have been champion longer, but it doesn’t mean you did it better.”
Punk distinguished himself as a fighting champion, citing that he visited 10 countries in three weeks, contrasting this with Reigns’ part-time schedule. Reigns retorted that Punk is working hard now because he took a “ten-year vacation.” Reigns further stated, “I learned what not to do” from watching Punk.
The Decision and The “Approval” Reveal During the segment, Reigns claimed that he was the person the company consulted for approval regarding Punk’s return to WWE. Reigns stated he approved the return to keep a promise to Paul Heyman, referring to Heyman as the friend Punk “betrayed on a podcast years ago.”
Reigns recalled shaking Punk’s hand at WarGames, claiming Punk mocked him behind his back like a “young boy.” Reigns then made his official decision for WrestleMania.
“I am picking you because I hate you, and I always have,” Reigns declared. He concluded the segment by stating that WrestleMania would be the best day of his life because Punk would acknowledge him in the main event.
"I'M PICKING YOU BECAUSE I HATE YOU" 😱@CMPunk | @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/ou6BsKx6rF
— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2026
"Go ahead, take the easy way out." 😨@CMPunk is letting @WWERomanReigns know exactly where he stands ahead of WrestleMania. pic.twitter.com/Y7SDUhIA1d
— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2026
Things are getting very interesting…
World Heavyweight Champion @CMPunk is HERE 💪 pic.twitter.com/RqJme3v3sy
— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2026
