The February 2nd episode of WWE RAW was a major hit at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delivering plenty of Royal Rumble repercussions. Roman Reigns, who won the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match, made a closing appearance on RAW this week.
Roman was met with numerous OTC chants and questions about whether he had made the right call on his WrestleMania 42 opponent after securing the Royal Rumble victory. Recognized by the Philadelphia crowd, Reigns reflected on the city’s significance to his career, recalling the highs and lows he experienced with championships there. He also recounted winning the Royal Rumble amid boos despite The Rock’s assistance, and expressed his desire to create new memorable moments in Philadelphia.
Roman revealed he still had to decide which title to pursue—RAW’s or SmackDown’s—and leaned on Philly fans for their input. When fans started chanting for CM Punk, Reigns acknowledged he didn’t want them targeting Drew McIntyre instead. The crowd eagerly embraced the idea of Roman facing CM Punk, which led to Punk’s appearance, title in hand. Punk immediately shifted his focus to Finn Balor, whom he criticized based on comments from the previous night.
Reigns teased Punk for hijacking his moment to direct a message at Balor, while Punk reminded Roman that because he was appearing as a guest on his platform, he should avoid interfering. When Punk polled fans about a Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre match at WrestleMania, boos erupted. Punk then proposed Reigns face “the best in the world,” earning cheers, and asked if Reigns needed the crowd’s help.
Punk urged Roman to “take the easy way out” and pick McIntyre. In response, Reigns pointed out that McIntyre was physically much larger than the “Second City Savior” and referenced the ongoing feud between McIntyre and Punk revolving around friendship bracelets. Roman also emphasized that he has defeated Drew McIntyre three years running. Punk countered by claiming his cousins were just as formidable, prompting Reigns to assert that his family was the reason WWE thrived and why Punk could return to the spotlight after a decade away.
Punk accused Roman of holding WWE hostage without truly elevating it and dismissed the Reigns family legacy as merely a “quarterly vacation.” He asserted that although Reigns held the title longer, it didn’t make him better. Punk also criticized Reigns for being a part-timer despite touring extensively, claiming that he himself introduced The Shield to WWE. While Punk expressed pride in Reigns, he insisted that Roman must still make his WrestleMania decision.
Roman fired back, pointing out Punk had taken a 10-year hiatus and mocked the notion that he had learned from him, saying the only lesson was what not to do. Reigns referenced the famous Colt Cabana podcast where Punk openly criticized WWE and Dr. Chris Amann. Ultimately, Roman declared that he chose CM Punk as his WrestleMania opponent because he has hated him for a long time, stating he wants to face the best in the world.
What are your thoughts on Roman Reigns winning the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble? Do you believe this sets the stage for an epic WrestleMania? Share your opinion in the comments below.
Fan Take: This development is huge for WWE fans, as it sets up a deeply personal, high-stakes showdown at WrestleMania 42 that’s steeped in history and rivalry. The clash between Reigns and Punk could redefine main event storytelling and elevate the sport to new heights.
