Roman Reigns and CM Punk are set to face off at Road to WrestleMania 42 for the World Heavyweight Championship. Reigns, having won the Royal Rumble for the second time, selected Punk as his challenger for the upcoming event in April.
However, this matchup isn’t guaranteed, as WWE storylines often bring unexpected developments leading up to WrestleMania. One possibility is that Punk could lose the title before the event takes place.
Currently, Punk is intent on settling scores with Finn Balor, who disrupted AJ Styles’ final WWE RAW match by attacking Punk. On Monday’s RAW, Punk confronted Balor during Reigns’ match and challenged for the WrestleMania title spot, directly addressing members of Judgment Day and taking aim at Balor’s provocations.
Reigns also taunted Balor, who was upset about Punk’s interference. Meanwhile, rumors suggest WWE might book a title match between Punk and Balor in Chicago, Punk’s hometown, during the Elimination Chamber event on February 28th. Should Balor win, he’d become champion, and Reigns would face him at WrestleMania instead of Punk—though this seems unlikely given the storyline momentum for Reigns vs. Punk.
Fans are buzzing about the possibility of Balor being added to the mix following recent RAW events. After losing to Punk weeks ago and appearing to turn fan-favorite, Balor’s attack on the champion has sparked speculation about a potential title shot. Some fans envision a WrestleMania triple threat involving Balor, Punk, and Reigns, while others think Balor’s story might follow a path similar to Daniel Bryan’s rise, either against Punk or as a separate title contender.
However, many fans argue against inserting Balor into the Reigns vs. Punk match, suggesting he would be better featured in a different world title storyline or in a heated feud within his faction, Judgment Day—particularly with fellow member Dirty Dom. Some caution against comparing Balor’s current hype to Bryan’s historic momentum at WrestleMania 30, noting they’re not at the same level. Others believe Balor’s interactions with Punk are simply to keep him relevant while Reigns is temporarily off TV, with Reigns and Punk’s intense rivalry expected to dominate once reunited.
This fan response highlights the difficulty WWE faces when naming WrestleMania main events too far in advance; many doubt Balor has a realistic shot at dethroning Punk.
Fan Take: This storyline development is significant for WWE fans as it keeps the title picture dynamic and unpredictable, preserving the excitement leading up to WrestleMania 42. Whether or not Balor shakes up the main event scene, the ongoing tension between Reigns and Punk ensures the sport continues delivering compelling drama and high-stakes entertainment.
