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LAS VEGAS – CM Punk and Roman Reigns met at WrestleMania 42 in a clash between two titans of the professional wrestling industry who have helped shape WWE over the past 15 years.
Punk entered as the World Heavyweight Champion, while Reigns was the challenger. Reigns won the Punk title after winning the Royal Rumble in January.
The two men went back and forth for weeks trading barbs. Punk vows to “bury” Reigns next to his father, while “OTC” tells Punk he’s too old. Each competitor appeared at the “Monday Night Raw” announce table on different episodes. Reigns then vowed that he would leave WWE if he lost to Punk.
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CM Punk faces Roman Reigns before the world heavyweight championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
This all led up to the raucous brawl that took place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium to end the weekend.
Reigns’ entrance music shook the stadium as he purposefully walked down the ramp – for the second year in a row without “Wiseman” to back him up or guide him through what promised to be an incredible match.
Punk got on the stage and looked out at the crowd. He hit the ground and shouted with the crowd, “It’s time for a crash.” » The crowd sang “Cult of Personality” as it boomed through the stadium.
The match brought an electricity to the air that was missing from the first night. There was a big fighting feel and Punk and Reigns brought it.
CM Punk fights Roman Reigns in the world heavyweight championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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The two began wrestling for control after meeting face to face in the middle of the ring for one final round of trash talk. They traded knockdowns and slapped each other as Reigns took the advantage to start the match.
A Samoan pinfall opened the way for Reigns to go on the offensive first. The crowd recognized their “tribe leader” as he tackled Punk outside the ring.
Punk reversed Reigns’ attempt to slam him into the announce table. But Reigns pushed Punk into the barricade and continued his assault into the crowd. Punk sat in a chair and waited for Reigns to come get him. Punk jumped onto the barricade and hit a flying clothesline.
CM Punk reacts to Roman Reigns before the World Heavyweight Championship match during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk’s taunts didn’t last long. Reigns threw Punk from the announce table to the floor as the referee begged both competitors to return to the ring. Reigns obliges because it’s the only way he can win the match.
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The match continued as they exchanged punches, kicks and pin attempts.
Reigns was the first to attempt his finisher. He tried to punch Superman but Punk countered. Punk went to the top rope and hit a crossbody and attacked Reigns with a flurry of punches.
Punk apparently had the advantage. He hit Reigns with a running knee and a bulldog. He called out the GTS as Reigns lay face down on the mat. Punk went for it, but Reigns got out of it.
Once again the match moved away. Punk performed a suicide dive that pushed Reigns into the commentary table. He used it to his advantage.
Then Punk got a little dangerous. Reigns was placed on the commentary table. He went to the top rope but Reigns quickly got up and avoided the move.
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Reigns taunted Punk as he hung upside down on the turnbuckle. Reigns hits Punk with a Superman punch. Reigns then nailed Punk with the stairs and continued to trash talk the camera.
Roman Reigns pushes CM Punk into the ropes during the world heavyweight championship match at WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk looked helpless as Reigns picked him up. He set Punk up for a powerbomb and slammed him through the announce table. Punk opened up and Reigns took advantage of the fans’ applause. He threw Punk into the ring and set him up for a spear.
However, Punk fought back and lifted him over his shoulders. Punk hit the GTS and almost pinned Reigns right there. Punk tried another GTS, but Reigns nailed him with a spear. Again, for only two counts.
Reigns, frustrated, signaled that he was going to steal Punk’s finisher. Punk tried to fight back but Reigns was adamant. He put Punk on his shoulders but Punk countered. Punk kicked Reigns, knocking him down but failed to get a three count.
Punk then resorted to taunting Reigns. He took the Ula Fala from a fan and tried to strike a spear. Reigns countered with a guillotine only for Punk to kick out of it and put Reigns in a chokehold. Reigns fought his way out of the submission hold and put Punk back into the guillotine.
As both men came out of their respective submission positions, they got back up and hit each other with a double clothesline. The fans were elated, shouting “this is awesome”, as the match drew to a close. The crowd was divided as to who they supported. Chants in support of both men echoed throughout the stadium as they exchanged punches.
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Punk removed the tape from his hands and threw it into the ring, distracting the referee enough to hit Reigns with a low blow. Punk tried to pin Reigns, but Reigns kicked out again.
What would it take to take down either wrestler?
Roman Reigns is introduced before the World Heavyweight Championship match against CM Punk during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Punk knocked Reigns out of the ring and back onto the commentary table. He wanted one last shot. He approached the top rope and nailed Reigns with a flying elbow.
The crowd waited impatiently for the two to get back in the ring. Punk lifted Reigns onto his shoulders and hit the GTS. Reigns then fell back onto his shoulders, but Punk couldn’t muster the strength to complete one more move.
Reigns gets up and hits Punk with a spear. Punk looked at Reigns and crawled towards him. Reigns hit Punk with another spear.
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He pinned Punk and won the World Heavyweight Championship.
Reigns becomes a seven-time champion and this is the first time he has held the title since losing to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
