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Earlier this week, we got a report from Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso that said WWE is already thinking about having CM Punk feud with Roman Reigns after Punk’s wraps up his yet-to-officially start return program with Seth Rollins.
Dave Meltzer dove into the company’s thinking about a Reigns/Punk program in more depth in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
A showdown between the current Universal champion and the former WWE one is “the biggest match they [WWE] could possibly do”, and so clearly “the obvious ultimate direction” that “it’s not even being hidden” (Meltzer cites Punk’s references to Paul Heyman in his return promo on Raw as a possible tease for a Reigns feud).
That doesn’t mean it will happen any time soon, however: “For right now, the plan is to take a lot of time before getting there.” WWE feels the match will be “gigantic” whenever they choose to do it, but is conscious of the need to get the timing right to make it as big as possible. They’re also aware of the risks of waiting too long, particularly with regard to Punk’s recent injury history, and his track record of backstage issues.
Generally, it sounds like it’s way too early for plans to be set in stone. But Meltzer says the speculation he’s heard from sources so far is the story could involve Heyman leaving Reigns for Punk, turning Roman babyface in the process.
Sounds feasible. They know the Punk/Heyman team works well on-screen. A betrayal combined with a little in-character self-reflection (especially if it comes after Cody Rhodes finishes his story at WrestleMania 40) and fans should be ready to cheer their Tribal Chief.
But a lot can happen between now and next April. And that’s without ever getting into where a <a href="https://www.cagesideseats.com/2023/12/1/23983651/rumor-roundup-wwe-return-cm-punk-austin-d