The April 4 episode of WWE SmackDown was held at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. It marked WWE’s return to the United States after an overseas tour, with the path to WrestleMania ongoing.
CM Punk is set to take on Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 41. That match build has really been interesting, and now we know that they will main event one night of the showcase of the immortals this year.
CM Punk kicked off RAW in Chicago this week, and he received a huge welcome from his home city fans. This included Punk taking the camera from the operator and taking a pan of the crowd himself. During that opening segment, Paul Heyman came out and asked a favor of Punk, but Punk decided to wait until Roman Reigns was around later on in the show to deal with it. Heyman still owes Punk a favor because he was in the WarGames match on the OTC’s team. That is how the opening segment ended.
Roman Reigns finally showed up just before the final segment kicked off at around 10:45 PM. The OTC didn’t waste any time as he made his way directly to the ring. After Reigns addressed the Chicago fans, he asked Paul Heyman, “is he here,” and fans started to chant for CM Punk. Roman Reigns wanted to know if Punk was still talking about the favor he is owed from the Wise Man.
Roman Reigns shared a secret next, saying that “CM Punk wouldn’t be back here if it wasn’t for me. CM Punk wouldn’t be in the main event of WrestleMania if it wasn’t for me.” He then mocked Chicago fans for cheering Punk on just because he’s from their city. Reigns then said that Punk has wrestled Hall of Famers and top names at WrestleMania, but he has never been given a main event spot at WrestleMania until he was introduced to the OTC.
Reigns then said that they should get CM Punk out there and hear what this favor is that Paul Heyman owes him. Instead, Seth Rollins came out. The Visionary introduced himself to the Chicago crowd, and he made it clear that he wouldn’t miss this segment for the world. He wants to know what this favor is that Heyman has for Punk.
Roman Reigns said that Seth Rollins isn’t trustworthy, and CM Punk is here because Roman made a promise to the Wise Man. Then Reigns reminded Seth that he didn’t call him out there, he called Punk out.
CM Punk came out next as Seth Rollins leaned against the turnbuckle to wait for the Second City Saint. He got right to business by addressing the favor that Paul Heyman owes him, one that is about legacy, friendship, loyalty, and promises kept. Punk said that this promise goes back to OVW when Paul Heyman was told that CM Punk doesn’t belong, and he was told to fire him, but Heyman wouldn’t. Punk hasn’t forgotten about any of that, and he brought back even more history as Heyman, Big Show, and RVD once had a conversation about how they were going to fire Punk after Paul Heyman left WWE years ago. Then he reminded Paul Heyman that he was told that when he main events WrestleMania “to force them to deal with us.” Then Punk revealed that Paul Heyman will be in his corner at WrestleMania and not Roman Reigns. That was quite a bombshell, and it seems that is also the favor that the Wise man owes the Second City Saint.
Roman Reigns laughed this off, saying that Paul Heyman would never leave him for CM Punk. He asked Paul to “let this fool down easy, will ya?” At that time, Heyman stalled and “CM Punk” chants broke out. Paul started to cry as Roman told him to tell him no. Finally, Heyman told him that he can’t tell CM Punk no. CM Punk smiled as Seth Rollins fell to the mat in laughter. At that point, Punk attacked Roman Reigns and nailed him with a GTS for good measure.
The road to WrestleMania is in full swing, and we can’t wait to bring you all the updates you need. Please keep checking back with Ringside News for more as we continue to cover whatever happens next.
What’s your take on the build for this triple threat Wrestle Mania match? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.