CM Punk is emerging as a strong contender to claim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42, with his potential opponent likely to be revealed at this weekend’s Royal Rumble event. Although not officially advertised as attending, Punk is expected to be present in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to witness the outcome of the Rumble match.
Several high-profile wrestlers, including Brock Lesnar—who recently confirmed his participation on The Pat McAfee Show—Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and Bron Breaker (whom Punk successfully defended his title against earlier this month) will compete for a spot in WrestleMania’s main event.
On Netflix’s anniversary episode of RAW, CM Punk successfully retained his championship, while his longtime friend Cody Rhodes fell short of winning the title four nights later on SmackDown, losing to Drew McIntyre in a grueling Three Stages of Hell match. During a rivalry with Jacob Fatu on SmackDown, Rhodes declared his entry for the upcoming Royal Rumble shortly after Fatu lost the title. Reports suggest that Rhodes and Fatu could face McIntyre at WrestleMania for the undisputed WWE Championship.
Adding intrigue, Punk shared a cryptic Instagram story featuring himself and Rhodes along with the Kenny Rogers song “The Gambler.” This playful yet tense exchange highlights their rivalry and fits well with WrestleMania’s current casino-themed promotion, suggesting a layered and compelling storyline.
WWE’s decision to cancel Rhodes’ third scheduled WrestleMania bout against Reigns appears to open the door for a fresh and exciting feud between Rhodes and Punk. The history between these two is rich—they both left WWE for AEW before returning, each carrying plenty of personal and professional backstory. There are hints Rhodes might adopt a more villainous persona, setting up a classic clash between his evolving aggression and Punk’s seasoned veteran presence. Their contrasting journeys make them ideal contenders for the WrestleMania main event spotlight.
While Rhodes aims to become the second wrestler in history to win three Royal Rumbles, Triple H has announced that the winner of the Elimination Chamber event will get a world title shot, making that pathway more probable for Rhodes’ championship pursuit.
Fan Take:
This storyline holds significant importance for WWE fans as it rekindles one of the industry’s most compelling rivalries filled with personal history and professional stakes. A clash between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42 would not only deliver electrifying entertainment but also symbolize the sport’s evolving narrative and the blending of past and present wrestling legends.
