Roman Reigns, after two years, is back on top of the mountain. On night two of WrestleMania 42, the OTC defeated CM Punk to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
The two put on one of the most personal rivalries in the history of the Showcase of Immortals, with family, age, and physical capabilities being the focal points of the lengthy mind games they played.
The match itself was one of the best of the event, though it wasn’t without controversy. Reigns hit Punk with the steel steps and wasn’t disqualified. Furthermore, the referee never initiated a countout on the outside.
THE ORIGINAL TRIBAL CHIEF ROMAN REIGNS IS THE NEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!! ☝️ #WrestleMania@WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/bV2cwqBICZ
— WWE (@WWE) April 20, 2026
Despite the controversy, Reigns and Punk left it all in the ring, pushing themselves to the absolute brink and leaving it all out there completely exhausted.
When all was said and done, after surviving four GTS attempts, Reigns hit two brutal Spears on Punk, followed by the pinfall, becoming the new champion.
Although he has captured other world titles before, such as the WWE Universal Championship and the WWE Championship, this is the first time Reigns has become World Heavyweight Champion. Punk‘s reign, which began on November 1, 2025, has come to an end.