The February 2 episode of WWE RAW was a big show. The Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was ready for Royal Rumble fallout, and that’s exactly what they got with their ticket price.
Roman Reigns won the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match. He was on hand during RAW this week to close out the show with a segment.
There were tons of OTC chants, and everyone wanted to know if he had mad a decision about who he will face at WrestleMania 42 after he won the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match.
Roman Reigns got down to business as the Philly fans acknowledged him. He spoke about the highs and lows he’s felt in Philly, since he’s won and lost championships in the city. He also brought up how he won the Royal Rumble, and he was booed out of the building, even with The Rock helping him out. Now he’s back in Philly to make another memory.
Roman Reigns brought up the fact that he has a decision to make, and Philly will help him make that. He wanted to know whether he should go after the top title on RAW or SmackDown. Fans chanted for CM Punk, and Roman Reigns confirmed that fans didn’t want him to go after Drew McIntyre.
Fans were way more behind the idea of Roman Reigns facing CM Punk. That is when CM Punk made his way out with the title around his waist. The moment that CM Punk got the microphone, he directed some hatred at Finn Balor, who had something to say about him previously in the night.
Roman Reigns mocked CM Punk for interrupting his segment for a message to Finn Balor. Then CM Punk brought up how Roman Reigns is a visitor on his show, so there is no interrupting there.
CM Punk asked fans about Roman Reigns against Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania, and they booed. Then he suggested Reigns versus the Best in the World, and they cheered. That is when Punk asked Reigns if he even needs the fans’ help.
After CM Punk told Roman Reigns to “pick the easy way out, pick Drew McIntyre.” Roman told Punk that McIntyre is four times bigger than the Second City Savior. He also brought up Drew and Punk’s rivalry over his friendship bracelet.
Roman Reigns said that he beat Drew McIntyre for “three years straight.” Then CM Punk said that so did a bunch of his cousins. Reigns reminded Punk that his family kept WWE on the map, and they’re the reason Punk even had a show to come back to after his ten-year hiatus.
CM Punk said that Roman Reigns only held WWE hostage; he didn’t elevate it. Punk also threw shade at Roman’s “quarterly vacations.” He also said that Roman Reigns followed him his footsteps, and just because he held the title longer doesn’t mean he did it better.
Punk said that Roman Reigns chooses to be a part-timer, but he chooses to go to 10 countries in three weeks with WWE as a full-time performer. CM Punk said that he brought The Shield into WWE, which is true, and he also said that he’s proud of Roman Reigns. That being said, The OTC still has a decision to make about WrestleMania 42.
Roman Reigns pointed out that CM Punk is making those towns because he took a ten-year vacation. He also laughed at the idea that he learned from Punk, “the only thing I learned was what not to do,” he said. Roman Reigns brought up how Punk went on his “best friend’s podcast,” which was a direct reference to the infamous Colt Cabana podcast where Punk threw WWE and Dr. Chris Amann under the bus.
That is when Roman Reigns revealed that he’s picking CM Punk because he hates him, and he always has. Reigns made his decision about WrestleMania, and he wants to face the Best in the World.
What’s your take on Roman Reigns winning the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match? Do you think that this is the way to go for WrestleMania? Let us know what you think in the comments section!