WWE Reportedly Discussed CM Punk Defeating Roman Reigns At WrestleMania Before Losing At Backlash
WWE reportedly considered having CM Punk and Roman Reigns trade wins at WrestleMania and Backlash.
To close the second night of WrestleMania 42, CM Punk put his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Roman Reigns. With two of WWE’s biggest names clashing over Monday Night RAW’s top title, many fans were going back and forth on who they thought would come out on top. As it happened, ‘The Tribal Chief’ was able to pick up the win to close the ‘Show Of Shows’, but a new report has detailed how it could’ve swung the other way.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it’s believed that, while WWE always wanted Reigns to become World Heavyweight Champion, there were discussions that Punk could win at WrestleMania before losing at Backlash.
“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. 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.”
-Dave Meltzer
In terms of what fans can now expect at Backlash, this week’s RAW indicated that Jacob Fatu could be first in line for a shot at the new World Heavyweight Champion. While the pair have met before inside the War Games cage, this would go down as their first singles encounter of the match if the match is made official for Tampa on May 9.
As for what’s next for Punk, the star emerged on RAW and spoke openly about being ready for an opportunity that came his way, prompting the arrival of Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. While nothing was set in stone, the two hinted at a future clash over the company’s biggest championship.
For more WWE news heading out of WrestleMania 42, you can click here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on WWE’s plans for the World Heavyweight Championship as soon as we hear more.
