WWE considered an alternate finish for the World Heavyweight Championship match between Roman Reigns and CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 night two.
Reports have emerged that suggest WWE discussed having Punk retain the title before losing it back to Reigns at Backlash.
Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE explored multiple scenarios for the main event. The alternate plan would have protected Punk’s standing while still putting the championship on Reigns.
Original Plan Would Have Extended the Feud
Meltzer wrote that the proposed finish would have made the rivals even before Reigns ultimately captured the title.
“It was possible and apparently talked about that Punk could beat Reigns and then lose the title at Backlash, so they’d be ‘even’ when it was over but Reigns would end up as champion, as a way to protect Punk’s position. But the decision in the end was for Reigns to win here.”
WWE chose to have Reigns win clean at WrestleMania instead. The match went 33 minutes and 56 seconds, ending when Punk collapsed while attempting a second GTS and Reigns capitalized with a spear for the pin.
Match Receives Five-Star Rating
Meltzer awarded the bout a five-star rating, calling it among the best matches in WrestleMania history. The rating marks Punk’s fourth five-star match, following his 2024 Hell in a Cell match with Drew McIntyre, his 2011 Money in the Bank match with John Cena, and his 2004 Ring of Honor match with Samoa Joe.
For Reigns, this represents his first five-star match. He has previously received four matches rated four and three-quarter stars.
“Reigns’ win over Punk was clean, and among the best matches in WrestleMania history. They went 33:56, ending when Punk had Lesnar on his back for a second GTS, and then collapsed and Reigns then pinned him with a spear. The storyline played into the interviews, where the match was long and grueling, and Punk got old and collapsed in the deep waters.”