WrestleMania 41 is a few months away. Speculation is growing around the planned card for both nights. What will main event is one of the biggest questions each year. PWInsider gave a report on Wednesday, February 5 about a potential big match between Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and CM Punk. This is an interesting matchup as it would wrap up a big story in the company, while keeping three of its most important names out of the title picture.
CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins have an intertwining past. For those that remember, The Shield first made their debut at Survivor Series in 2012, helping CM Punk defeat Ryback. For a while the group was linked to Punk in the ring and in front of the camera, but actions outside of if also played into this angle 13 years later.
Punk has never been one to keep an opinion to himself. Punk once spoke ill of Reigns when talking on Colt Cabana’s Art of Wrestling podcast, where they were discussing the initial debut of The Shield and Punk’s thoughts on Reigns being in the group.
“They wanted Roman Reigns,” Punk said. “They came to me and they were like ‘What about Leakee?’ I didn’t…it wasn’t my hill to die on. I said ‘sure’ because it made sense to me. Oh, they want their guy in, he’s the pretty guy, but that’s good because this guy can learn from working under me.”
That statement may be more than a decade old, but it’s all the fuel WWE needs to build a long-term angle between the two men. Add their relationships to Paul Heyman to the mix and that makes things even more interesting.
Rollins's beef with Reigns has played out on television for years, but his issues with Punk go back even longer. According to Punk, Rollins asked him for training, “for free” when the latter was 16 years old. From there, Punk claimed that he was the one who picked Rollins to be a part of The Shield, saving his job at a time when his future with the company wasn’t certain. Yet, it would be Punk who would leave the company and basically sever his friendship with Rollins along the way. This sets the stage for what has played out on television today.
CM Punk versus Roman Reigns versus Seth Rollins opens WrestleMania 41 for others
For some, the idea of Punk versus Reigns versus Rollins demands a championship. These are three of the biggest names in the industry, potentially battling at the biggest show in the year. The idea that there isn’t a title in play is blasphemous to some fans. However, this feud (and several others over the years) does not need a championship. In fact, having them battle without a title on the line helps the rest of the roster.
Jey Uso versus GUNTHER should be a fun match, but it isn’t a match that should main event a night of WrestleMania. Let alone the match just happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event a few weeks ago. Cody Rhodes is carrying the WWE Undisputed Championship on SmackDown after successfully beating back Kevin Owens. It looks like Owens and Sami Zayn are heading toward a feud, leaving Rhodes without a dance partner. Enter John Cena, as his retirement campaign almost demands one final championship victory.
Pitting Punk, Reigns, and Rollins against each other allows for there to be more space on the card for other men in key title feuds. However, this match also carries the weight to be a main event, particularly of night two.
WrestleMania 41: Night Two has its main event
If CM Punk versus Roman Reigns versus Seth Rollins is truly the planned outcome for all three men, then this match will headline the second night of WrestleMania 41. The winner will be the focal point of the second half of 2025 and on his way to a title match. Is this how we get to CM Punk versus John Cena for the WWE Undisputed Championship? Perhaps, and it is going to be fun every step of the way.