Roman Reigns made a triumphant comeback at the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, entering at number 26 and winning the men’s match for the second time. As the winner, Reigns is entitled to face any champion of his choice at WrestleMania 42, and speculation is growing that he might pick World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk as his opponent. However, despite the high likelihood of this matchup, there are compelling reasons why Reigns should reconsider choosing CM Punk as his WrestleMania challenger.
Recent Gesture Shows a Truce Between Roman Reigns and CM Punk
Though Roman Reigns and CM Punk have a longstanding on-screen rivalry, their recent handshake after the Men’s WarGames match at last year’s Survivor Series hinted at a possible reconciliation. This moment of sportsmanship, despite Reigns’ loss, appeared to end the bitter tension between them. Bringing back this feud so soon after such a gesture could feel forced and might tire fans who are eager for fresh narratives. If these two are to clash again, WrestleMania 42 may not be the appropriate setting to reignite old conflicts.
CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker II Could Lose Its Momentum
After defending his World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker, CM Punk still seems to have unresolved issues with the powerhouse. Fans are eagerly anticipating a rematch that would continue their intense rivalry, making it a highly anticipated fight at WrestleMania 42. If Roman Reigns chooses CM Punk, it would likely cancel the possibility of the much-anticipated Punk-Breakker sequel at the event, pushing that matchup to a later date such as the Elimination Chamber. This shift would disappoint many fans and disrupt ongoing storylines.
Drew McIntyre Deserves New Matchups to Refresh Rivalries
Following his victory in the Three Stages of Hell match earlier this year, Drew McIntyre’s current angle involves tensions with Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu. After defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble and eliminating Rhodes from the men’s Rumble match, expectations are building for a potential Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania. Still, McIntyre’s character would benefit from facing new opponents to keep the storylines dynamic.
Reigns selecting McIntyre as his WrestleMania opponent could revitalize their feud from the original Bloodline era, creating more excitement. This would allow the Triple Threat between Cody, Fatu, and McIntyre to be scheduled for a later major event like the Elimination Chamber, where McIntyre could retain the title. A showdown between Reigns and McIntyre, who has never defeated Reigns one-on-one, might generate greater fan interest than the expected Triple Threat.
This consideration highlights the broader creative possibilities on the Road to WrestleMania, where surprising booking decisions can shake up the WWE Universe.
.@WWERomanReigns is headed to WrestleMania!!! ☝️ pic.twitter.com/tIiQbzpje6
— WWE (@WWE) January 31, 2026
