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Ex-WWE Champion announces last-minute entry in Royal Rumble Match, not John Cena

CM Punk claimed victory over Seth Rollins in the historic main event of WWE RAW’s Netflix premiere in Inglewood, California. Following the match, Punk officially declared his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble match, joining John Cena in the annual competition.

During the post-show interview with Jackie Redmond, Punk outlined his championship aspirations:

46 is just a number, and so is number one. That’s exactly what I am and exactly what I have been saying since I got here in 2005. Yeah, maybe I took a ten-year vacation, but I’m back and better than ever. Nobody is touching me. BITW. Best in the World, that’s what it means. Straight Edge, it means I’m better than you. I’m coming for all the gold in 2025. Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania.

The Second City Savior dedicated his performance to friends facing personal challenges:

This match is for Chad Gilbert. This match is for Chris Bey. This match is for me and anybody who ever said that I wasn’t shit. Look at me now.

Punk predicts long-term rivalry with Rollins

Prior to their match, Punk discussed the depth of his rivalry with Rollins on the Nightcap show with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson:

I would love to say I’m moving on to bigger and better things. I’d love to be wrong about that, too, but I — think this is one of those [Hulk] Hogan/[Randy] Savage deals that’s going to go on for as long as the beef has already been festering. 10+ years — we’re talking a decade here. I don’t think, even as big of a night, debuting on Netflix — no matter how bright the lights are — is going to resolve this. This one’s going to fester for a while.