CM Punk Reveals the Main Reason He Returned to WWE

The former champion admits he came back to headline WrestleMania.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:51pm

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An extreme close-up of two wrestlers, their bodies and faces rendered in a vibrant, expressionist style of rapid, neon-colored brushstrokes, capturing the raw energy and intensity of a high-stakes championship match.The highly anticipated main event clash between CM Punk and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 promises to be a neon-fueled clash of titans.Chicago Today

After a nearly decade-long absence, CM Punk made a shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series in 2023. In a recent interview, Punk revealed that the main reason he decided to come back was to finally main event WrestleMania, something he never accomplished during his initial run with the company.

Why it matters

Punk's return to WWE was a major surprise, as he had been very critical of the company following his acrimonious departure in 2014. His admission that he came back specifically to headline WWE's biggest event provides insight into his motivations and the importance of that career milestone to him.

The details

Punk said that if he had main evented WrestleMania during his first WWE stint, he likely wouldn't have returned, feeling he had accomplished his goal. However, after failing to do so previously, the opportunity to finally main event the event was a key factor in his decision to come back. Punk will get that chance this year when he faces Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship on night two of WrestleMania 42.

  • CM Punk walked out of WWE following the 2014 Royal Rumble.
  • Punk made his shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series in 2023.
  • Punk is scheduled to main event night two of WrestleMania 42 against Roman Reigns.

The players

CM Punk

A former WWE champion who left the company in 2014 but returned in 2023, citing the opportunity to main event WrestleMania as a key reason for his comeback.

Roman Reigns

The current WWE World Heavyweight Champion, who will face CM Punk in the main event of night two of WrestleMania 42.

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What they’re saying

“If you think about this, if I main evented WrestleMania before I left, I don't think I would have come back because I would have done it. What am I coming back for? I mean, it's a little weird, like everything happens for a reason.”

— CM Punk

What’s next

CM Punk will face Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on night two of WrestleMania 42 later this month.

The takeaway

Punk's return to WWE was driven by his desire to finally achieve the career milestone of main eventing WrestleMania, something he was never able to do during his initial run with the company. His admission provides insight into his motivations and the significance of that accomplishment to him, even after a contentious departure nearly a decade ago.