CM Punk WWE WrestleMania 43 Opponent

WWE

With WrestleMania 43 set to emanate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, there has been a lot of speculation about WWE’s plans for the April 2027 event.

WWE President Nick Khan recently stated in an interview that the company is “already across the creative” for the event, indicating that they have a good idea about plans for the event, seven months out.

With CM Punk currently holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, it will be interesting to see who he is given to work with at the Show of Shows.

Here are five potential opponents for CM Punk at WrestleMania 43.

Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn reached the top of the WWE mountain in June, defeating GUNTHER and Cody Rhodes to become Undisputed WWE Champion at Night of Champions.

His title reign came to an end just nine days later, with CM Punk returning on the July 6 Raw episode in Chicago to win the gold.

Since then, Sami Zayn has made it his mission to earn a rematch, interfering in numerous bouts to keep himself in the title picture.

While Punk and Zayn are set to meet in the ring at SmackDown in Mexico City, WWE could pick this feud back up in a few months to give Sami Zayn a major title bout in Saudi Arabia.

Randy Orton

After unsuccessfully challenging for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, Randy Orton made his return during CM Punk and Cody Rhodes’ title match at SummerSlam.

Costing Rhodes the match, The Viper’s comeback immediately had world title implications, and re-established him as a main event player.

With Orton picking up a victory over Cody Rhodes at Sunday Night’s Main Event, the duo appear set to have one last rubber match, before moving on to different storylines.

Randy Orton could perhaps have a shot at redemption if he challenges for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania for the second year in a row.

Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns challenged for CM Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WrestleMania 42 Sunday this past April.

With Reigns insisting that Punk is too old to be champion, Punk’s body ultimately gave out on him at the end of the match, leading to the Tribal Chief winning the title.

With CM Punk becoming Undisputed WWE Champion in his first match following WrestleMania 42, it would make sense to have Reigns and Punk run it back in April 2027. 

While both stars currently hold world titles, a lot can change between now and WrestleMania 43.

Drew McIntyre

Drew McIntyre has without a doubt been CM Punk’s biggest rival since the latter star’s return to the company.

With Drew McIntyre’s recent absence, we could see him come back with a bang, rekindling his heated feud with CM Punk.

Last meeting in one-on-one action in their brutal Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood 2024, fans would welcome a rematch between the two stars, especially if the Undisputed WWE Championship would be on the line.

With Drew McIntyre having not challenged for this title since losing it to Cody Rhodes on the road to WrestleMania 42, it would be fitting for the Scottish Warrior to have such a high-profile main event at this year’s Show of Shows.

Cody Rhodes

Following CM Punk’s World Heavyweight Championship loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42, then-Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk offered Punk a title match, telling him “just say when.”

Punk offered the same deal to Rhodes after he won the Undisputed WWE Title from Sami Zayn, leading to the duo facing off at SummerSlam.

With Randy Orton interfering to cost Cody Rhodes the match, CM Punk later offered the American Nightmare a rematch at a time of his choosing.

With the ball in Cody Rhodes’ court, we could be about to see Cody Rhodes once again headline WrestleMania with the Undisputed WWE Title on the line.

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