CM Punk Reveals WrestleMania 41’s Original Main Event Finish
The build-up to WrestleMania 41 had fans speculating endlessly about who would walk out as champion in the triple threat clash. Now, CM Punk has made it clear: he was initially booked to leave with gold in hand. In rare behind-the-scenes footage from WWE’s Netflix documentary Unreal, Punk shared that creative had him defeating both Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. Even after Paul Heyman’s suggested betrayal—a twist that left even backstage staff buzzing—plans were for Punk to push through the chaos and stand tall in the ring.
That’s not how things turned out, though. The actual match saw Seth Rollins take the victory, the crowd roaring as he clinched the win. For some fans, the last-minute change was shocking, but Punk himself described it as “the right move for the story.” He didn’t shy away from giving credit where it was due, admitting that the finish added fresh fuel for future rivalries and angles.
The Emotional Impact of Punk’s First WrestleMania Main Event
For Punk, headlining the biggest show of the year was much more than a spot at the top of the card. In an interview taped just minutes after the bells, he got visibly emotional. “It was everything I wanted since I was a little kid... I just did it,” he said, his voice quivering with pride and relief. For a guy who’d famously walked away from WWE years before, making it back and closing out the main event was a pinch-me moment. He talked about the energy in the building, the deafening crowd, the way each bell hit him like a wave—it’s the feeling every wrestler chases but few catch.
Punk also spoke about the shock of seeing the match outcome change so late in the process. Yet he expressed no regret, pointing out that wrestling thrives on swerve and suspense. According to Punk, on a night packed with surprises, his own performance surpassed even his wildest childhood dreams.
Now, with WrestleMania in the rear-view mirror, all eyes are on what’s coming next. Punk is already set to face Gunther at SummerSlam for the World Heavyweight Championship—a showdown that could deliver another unforgettable chapter in his career. For a superstar who’s navigated unpredictable twists both in and outside the ring, one thing’s for sure: Punk isn’t slowing down. Each match, each rivalry, and every promo keeps reinforcing why he’s called the Best in the World.