Roman Reigns continues to be deeply invested in his Roman Reigns WWE rivalry, which has intensified since CM Punk returned to WWE in November 2023. This feud has unfolded through multiple confrontations, most notably around the 2024 WarGames event and the 2025 Royal Rumble, where tensions reached new heights.
Heightened Conflict Fueled by Betrayals and Royal Rumble Clash
The rivalry between Roman Reigns and CM Punk escalated significantly when Reigns’ trusted advisor, Paul Heyman, aligned himself with Punk around the 2024 WarGames, leaving Reigns feeling abandoned. Their animosity peaked during the 2025 Royal Rumble when Punk eliminated both Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in quick succession, leading to a heated fight outside the ring. The hostility was further amplified at WrestleMania 41, an event marked by Heyman’s shocking betrayal of both Reigns and Punk as he sided with Seth Rollins instead.
Following his brief break from WWE, Reigns returned to RAW recently, prompting discussions around his motives and future direction. During a recent episode of Notsam Wrestling, host Sam Roberts analyzed Reigns’ mindset without a championship, describing him as driven by vengeance and still deeply opposed to Punk’s presence in WWE.
“Who is Roman Reigns without that championship? Well, on one end, he’s motivated by revenge. He’s Charles Bronson. He’s going out there, ironically, and going right for Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins, and anybody that’s wronged him.I think CM Punk is still on that list, too, because at no point has Roman ever, ever, even slightly hinted at the idea of being okay with CM Punk. [15:40 onwards]” – Sam Roberts, Host of Notsam Wrestling
Roman Reigns Rejoins Original Bloodline Members in a Dramatic Return
Roman Reigns made his comeback to WWE after being sidelined due to an attack by The Vision members during Clash in Paris, which left him hospitalized. His return on the September 29 RAW taping featured The Usos competing against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in a fast-paced Tornado Match. Reigns re-entered the arena in the final moments, wielding a steel chair to take down both Breakker and Reed, reasserting his dominance.
Afterward, Reigns engaged with Jey Uso, one half of the Usos tag team, amid visible tension from Jimmy Uso, who criticized Reigns for his influence on Jey. Following his reappearance, Reigns also spoke out, breaking his silence about recent events and hinting at ongoing conflicts.
Other Noteworthy Developments in the Wrestling World
Beyond Roman Reigns’ ongoing saga, several other events have stirred the WWE and AEW landscapes recently. Tony Khan’s investments in AEW have been questioned, with some wondering if certain stars represented poor spending decisions. A high-profile WWE performer announced their planned departure after their last match, marking the end of an era.
In other WWE news, some wrestlers have altered their entrance themes due to backstage preferences, highlighting the continued influence of figures like Triple H on creative decisions. Andrade El Idolo made history with a surprising AEW return on October 1, while a celebrated WWE Hall of Famer confirmed signing a legends contract, assuring fans of their continued presence in the wrestling world.
The Rock also shared memories of stepping into a WrestleMania main event, reflecting on his climb to superstardom. Meanwhile, a former WWE champion provided a health update following a recent dangerous spot performed during a Disney World appearance, reassuring supporters of their condition.
On a darker note, an AEW fan was found to be holding captives in their basement, a shocking incident that has rocked the community and raised serious concerns regarding fan behavior outside the ring.
The Lasting Impact of Reigns and Punk’s Rivalry
The feud between Roman Reigns and CM Punk remains a central storyline in WWE, fueled by betrayals, personal vendettas, and dramatic showdowns. This rivalry has shaped Reigns’ current motivation and will likely influence his character’s direction going forward, as he pursues retribution against those who have wronged him, including Punk. With alliances shifting and past grievances unresolved, WWE fans can expect this heated rivalry to continue playing a significant role in upcoming events and programming.
