The possibility of a WrestleMania 42 dream match between CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin has generated immense excitement as WWE heads into 2026, with the Royal Rumble set for January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Amidst mounting anticipation, hints have surfaced that the iconic Attitude Era legend may return for a showdown with Punk at The Showcase of the Immortals, potentially delivering one of the most highly-anticipated confrontations in recent memory.
Road to WrestleMania 42 Begins with Royal Rumble in Riyadh
WWE is approaching one of its most critical events of the year, with the Royal Rumble 2026 scheduled to go live from Riyadh. This marks a significant moment as it is the first major premium live event of the year, and for fans worldwide, the international location underscores the global reach of the company.
CM Punk, who is the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, recently retained his title in a match against The Vision’s Bron Breakker during the first edition of RAW in 2026. The convincing win puts Punk at the forefront for a major storyline heading into WrestleMania season. WWE appears poised to book him in a high-profile contest at the annual event often referred to as The Showcase of the Immortals.
Stone Cold Steve Austin Eyeing an In-Ring Return
Interest in Stone Cold Steve Austin’s potential involvement at WrestleMania has intensified, especially after his guest appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, where he revealed he was considering another match. Fans have dreamed for years about a showdown between Austin and Punk, as previous opportunities to pit the two against each other never materialized during The Best in the World’s first tenure with the company. Now, speculation is growing that WWE’s creative team—led by Triple H and colleagues—may finally deliver this blockbuster encounter, possibly in Las Vegas, which would excite both die-hard and casual fans alike.
Stone Cold, who previously returned to the squared circle for a headline-grabbing contest against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38, demonstrated that he maintains the physical ability to perform at a high level. The potential to see Austin step back into the ring with CM Punk raises the stakes for WWE, especially amid uncertainty about this year’s marquee matches.
Major Names Expected to Miss WrestleMania 42, Elevating Potential Match
The 2026 edition of WrestleMania faces challenges as major superstars like The Rock, Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens are reportedly unlikely to participate. The absence of these headline attractions puts even more emphasis on WWE securing must-see bouts to draw global attention.
A few years prior, discussions about booking Steve Austin against Roman Reigns did not come to fruition, and despite rumors of an appearance at WrestleMania XL, no such match took place. This time, however, the stars could align for The Texas Rattlesnake and The Best in the World to face off, bringing to life a contest fans never stopped hoping for.
Stone Cold and Punk maintain a strong friendship outside the ring and have publicly expressed interest in working together. Their chemistry, combined with the immense hype surrounding such a dream bout, holds the potential to generate record viewership and become a historic moment for WWE, provided the match is made official.
CM Punk’s Next Steps as World Heavyweight Champion
CM Punk is expected to make an appearance on WWE RAW tonight, continuing his reign as World Heavyweight Champion and relishing the momentum from his win over Bron Breakker. Anticipation surrounds how he will address fans and what direction his title defense may take, with upcoming events like WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event and the Royal Rumble drawing near.
All eyes are now on WWE’s creative direction, as Triple H and his team prepare for one of the biggest shows of the wrestling calendar. The possibility of a Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. CM Punk match at WrestleMania 42 has electrified the Road to WrestleMania, keeping fans guessing about what blockbuster surprises await on the grand stage in 2026.
