WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk has made it clear that he is ready to get more personal with Roman Reigns as they head toward their collision in the main event of WrestleMania 42. The match was officially set after a fiery confrontation on the post-Royal Rumble episode of Monday Night RAW, where Reigns, the 2026 Rumble winner, chose to challenge Punk for the world title rather than pursuing the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Speaking with Metro for a new interview, Punk discussed the psychological warfare required to headline an event like WrestleMania. He noted that at this level of the industry, having “thin skin” is a liability and admitted that he often says things simply to entertain himself, knowing the weight they carry for the audience.
“At this stage, if you have thin skin, I don’t think you would have made it to this stage. You gotta realize that to entertain people, you gotta say and do things that would sometimes just entertain yourself. [The championship is] important to me and it’s important to him, but there’s so much more when it’s personal. This is very personal. I’m sure it’s probably going to get more wildly personal whenever he decides to show up to work,” Punk stated.
The mention of Reigns’ “deciding to show up to work” is a direct jab at the “Original Tribal Chief’s” limited schedule. WWE recently confirmed that Reigns is only slated for a handful of television appearances leading up to the two-night showcase at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. This part-time status has been a point of contention in their promos, with Punk frequently positioning himself as the workhorse champion who carries the brand while Reigns remains at home.
The history between the two men adds a layer of reality to the “wildly personal” nature Punk is promising. During their initial face-off in February, Punk reminded the world that he was the one who hand-picked Reigns for The Shield back in 2012, effectively claiming credit for the foundation of Roman’s career. Reigns countered by noting that he was the person who gave the “green light” for Punk to return to the company in 2023.