WWE Working On Pre-WrestleMania Title Defense For CM Punk

CM Punk’s title defense against Roman Reigns is locked in for WWE WrestleMania 42.

Reigns addressed the fans following his victory in the 30-man over-the-top rope elimination match at the Royal Rumble PLE in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 31.

The Original Tribal Chief arrived in Philadelphia to reveal the champion he would challenge at the Grandest Stage of Them All in April.

Reigns played with the audience, asking them for their opinion on whether he should face Punk or the Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.

The fans chanted for Punk, which prompted him to come out to the ring.

The two superstars then engaged in a back-and-forth segment that almost felt like a shoot. While Punk called him out on his sporadic appearances, Reigns said Punk took a 10-year vacation by staying away from the company.

Reigns then confirmed that he would be challenging Punk because he always hated him, and WrestleMania 42 would be the best day of his life because Punk would finally acknowledge him.

CM Punk To Defend Title At WWE Elimination Chamber

On the road to WrestleMania, WWE takes a stop in Chicago, Illinois, CM Punk’s hometown, for Elimination Chamber.

According to a report by WrestleVotes Radio via Fightful Select, the promotion is working towards a match between The Second City Saints and Finn Balor.

Punk successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against The Prince on the January 19 edition of Raw.

A week later, Balor viciously attacked Punk after learning that his chance of participating in the Men’s Royal Rumble match had ended, forcing him to act the way he did.

Punk briefly addressed Balor before confronting Reigns during their segment on Raw this week.

WWE’s decision to have the 48-year-old wrestle before WrestleMania serves multiple purposes, as it readies him for his match against Reigns while also allowing him to compete in front of his home crowd.