Andrew Ravens
WWE internally discussed a scenario in which CM Punk would retain the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 before ultimately deciding on Roman Reigns as champion, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The report makes clear that Reigns’ winning was always the long-term plan, but the alternative finish involving Punk was given serious enough consideration to be discussed internally before being rejected.
“Reigns was always to come out as champion since long-term plans have been made for him in that position, which included a title feud with Gunther,” Meltzer wrote. “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.”
A Punk win at WrestleMania, followed by a title loss at Backlash on May 9 in Tampa, would have left both men level heading into whatever comes next, softening the blow of Punk ultimately not leaving Las Vegas as champion. The fact that it was considered at all shows how closely matched the two options were at some point in the creative process, even if Reigns’ winning was always the likely decision.
Reigns defeated Punk with two spears in the Night Two main event of WrestleMania 42 in a match that ran over 30 minutes. At the post-show press conference, Reigns declared he would be appearing all summer. WWE wasted no time establishing his next direction, setting up a program between Reigns and Jacob Fatu on that Monday’s show.
The longer-term picture beyond Fatu already has a significant program attached to it. Gunther has been identified as a major direction for Reigns’ title reign, which would be one of the best championship programs WWE could do, given the star power on both sides. With Reigns now confirmed as the focal point of the World Heavyweight Championship picture heading into the summer, the creative roadmap appears to be in place.
