This past Monday night on WWE Raw, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes went face-to-face in the middle of the ring, exchanging long-awaited verbal jabs. This exchange comes on the heels of Punk’s other recent exchanges with Drew McIntyre and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freaking” Rollins. The latter of which opened WWE Raw confirming that he had been injured and that doctors were unsure that he would be ready to compete at WWE WrestleMania 40. Undaunted, Rollins said he would be in action regardless of what the doctors were saying.
Sports Illustrated reports that despite the buzz around Punk and Rollins facing off at WWE WrestleMania 40, that is not the plan. As of now, WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER is scheduled to win the men’s WWE Royal Rumble and challenge Rollins to the night one main event.
As for Punk, it appears that he is on a collision course with fellow former AEW star Cody Rhodes, which would take The American Nightmare out of the WWE WrestleMania 40 main event picture. It was noted that their exchange on Monday night laid the groundwork for their program, and while it is not a main event match, should keep Rhodes red-hot.
WWE WrestleMania 40 night two looks to be headlined by a match that has been years in the making: Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. The Rock.
Sports Illustrated’s report adds that “all signs point to” the dream match taking place. When The Rock appeared on WWE Raw Day 1 and asked fans if he should sit at the head of the table, that line was not ad-libbed and was meant as an intentional tease. The Rock’s addition to the TKO Group Holdings Board of Directors was also pointed to as a reason to believe Reigns vs. The Rock is taking place this year.
On the women’s side of the card, WWE World Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is expected to face Becky Lynch. Bayley apparently has “her time coming soon,” hinting at a possible Royal Rumble win and match against fellow Damage CTRL member WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY.