It remains to be seen who CM Punk will step into the ring with first now that he’s back in WWE, and when, for that matter. But it’s clear that WWE has big plans for him, including a potential program with its most important current star.
That would be Roman Reigns, he of the historic title reign and many nicknames. In his breakdown of Punk’s return for Sports Illustrated, Justin Barrasso suggested ideas for Punk and Reigns to go head to head are already being formulated.
There are plans for Punk to feud with Roman Reigns, Sports Illustrated has learned.
Just not yet. As many fans have surmised, the feeling is that Seth Rollins will be the other side of Punk’s first feud. It makes sense for several reasons, including Rollins’ potential to get the most out of the 45-year-old Punk inside the ring, as well as his real life distaste for the recently returned star that appears to already be spinning into a running subplot.
A Rollins-Punk match would be a huge addition to WrestleMania 40 next spring, potentially even the main event for night one. So where would that leave a Reigns-Punk program?
Next summer would make a lot of sense. Even if both men are unsuccessful at Mania — the consensus is that Reigns might finally lose his title to Cody Rhodes in Philadelphia, though that was the thought last year as well — they’re both big enough attractions that no titles need to be involved. A post-championship Reigns is something that has only been mused about since it hasn’t been a reality for years, but Punk might make for the perfect foil to ensure both wrestlers stay hot even coming off losses at the biggest show of the year.
The fact that this is even a possibility is wild. But it also feels appropriate as we get ready to close the book on 2023 and embrace the new possibilities ahead in pro wrestling in 2024.