A stunning development unfolded on SmackDown as Paul Heyman made a decision that could permanently alter WWE’s landscape. The longtime advisor shocked viewers by accepting CM Punk’s request to stand in his corner at WrestleMania 41, turning his back on Roman Reigns and their years-long alliance.
The bombshell dropped during SmackDown’s main event segment when CM Punk finally revealed the favor he’d been teasing. In exchange for his assistance to Roman Reigns at Survivor Series 2024, Punk requested Heyman’s services at the upcoming WrestleMania Triple Threat match. Despite Roman Reigns’ visible dismay and direct request for Heyman to decline, the veteran manager accepted Punk’s proposition, leaving Reigns stunned before CM Punk launched a blindside attack.
The angle began earlier in the night when CM Punk opened SmackDown by addressing his hometown Chicago crowd. Paul Heyman interrupted to inquire about the mysterious favor Punk had been hinting at, acknowledging it would impact his relationship with Roman Reigns. When the main event arrived, Reigns entered without acknowledging Heyman, heading straight to the ring to call out Punk. Seth Rollins also inserted himself into the confrontation, building heat between all three WrestleMania competitors.
This shocking allegiance shift carries significant implications for Roman Reigns’ character. During last year’s Hall of Fame ceremony when Reigns inducted Heyman, he stated that on the day Heyman no longer stood in his corner, the “Tribal Chief” persona would cease to exist. With WrestleMania 41 approaching, this betrayal appears to signal the conclusion of a defining chapter in WWE history.
