WWE Announces Dream Match for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas
WWE has delivered an early spectacle for fans by confirming a monumental main event for WrestleMania 42, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas. Following his victory in the men's Royal Rumble this past Saturday, Roman Reigns made his highly anticipated choice during Monday's episode of Raw, broadcast on Netflix, setting the stage for a colossal showdown against World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk.
Fans Hail 'Biggest Match of the Decade'
Enthusiasts across social media platforms are already dubbing this bout the 'biggest match of the decade', with two of WWE's premier superstars poised for an epic confrontation. On X, numerous viewers have celebrated it as a 'dream match' between two of the greatest professional wrestlers in history.
One fan, @Mahaxaeo, exclaimed, 'Roman vs CM Punk is the biggest box office match in WWE,' while others noted it has been 'a long time coming'. Another supporter, @collinscardshow, praised the duo's promotional skills, stating, 'Roman and Punk sold the entire Night 2 Mania match as one of the biggest matches of the decade in one single promo last night. That’s what happens when 2 of the best of all time get a chance to cook without any outside interference.'
A Rich History and Real-Life Tensions
The rivalry between Reigns and Punk spans over a decade, tracing back to Roman's debut in WWE as part of The Shield, which served as Punk's on-screen mercenaries. Behind the scenes, tensions have simmered, with Punk once revealing on The Art of Wrestling podcast that he was instructed by WWE management to 'keep Roman strong', a directive that fueled frustration.
When Punk departed wrestling in 2014—a hiatus that ended with his stint in AEW in 2021 before returning to WWE two years later—Reigns ascended as the company's flagship star, known as the Tribal Chief. Despite sharing the ring in a Triple Threat match at last year's WrestleMania in Vegas, alongside Seth Rollins, they have never faced each other in a one-on-one contest.
Intense Promos Set the Stage for WrestleMania
During Monday's Raw episode, the animosity reached new heights, with Reigns delivering a cutting promo to Punk. He declared, 'I could pick you because you’re the biggest star available. I could pick you because you’re on Netflix. But no, I’m picking you because I hate you. I’ve always hated you. And WrestleMania is going to be the best day of my life because in the main event, you will acknowledge me.'
Fans were captivated by this exchange, with @Slappa_WWE commenting, 'This is exactly what you want from a WrestleMania main event, one promo and the hype went up tenfold,' and @PPSandeep7777 adding, 'Punk and Roman delivered an incredible segment. The back-and-forth was super intense and entertaining.' @therealalii summarised it perfectly, saying, 'The segment between Punk and Roman was incredible — intense, full of hatred, exactly the kind of thing I wish we’d get on a weekly in the road of WM.'
Expert Insight and Broader Implications
Metro's WWE expert, Alistair McGeorge, provides insight into this historic matchup. He notes that 'CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns is unique in modern-day WWE', as it pits two icons from different eras who have never previously clashed solo. McGeorge highlights their exceptional in-ring abilities and charismatic mic skills, making this a well-rounded spectacle.
Adding to the intrigue is their shared cameo in Zootropolis 2 and burgeoning Hollywood careers, which amplify the match's appeal. While Drew McIntyre's World Heavyweight Title match offers its own narrative, the focus remains firmly on Reigns versus Punk as the night two main event.
With a blend of real-life animosity, over a decade of intertwined history, and the shared association with Paul Heyman, the road to WrestleMania promises to be wild and controversial. Netflix UK & Ireland subscribers can catch all the action, including Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and WWE Premium Live Events, with WrestleMania set for 18th-19th April.
