Often, pro wrestling builds its stories around achieving one's dreams. In a business that awes and inspires millions of people, with protagonists who often go from humble beginnings of wrestling in bingo halls to million-dollar contracts, that's a guaranteed storytelling device to follow. Most recently, "the boyhood dream come true" trope belongs to CM Punk, who, after 28 years in the business, has finally achieved his goal of main eventing WWE's biggest show, WrestleMania. However, Punk's story has more layers than that.

One of the reasons why he left WWE in 2014 was that he was denied that main event spot he (and his many fans) believed he deserved. Fast-forward to 2023, and Punk's return to the company he once hated has been a resounding success. Both parties are in a better place, and fans have enjoyed this run. However, one big shadow kept hanging over Punk's return, his never-forgotten dream of main eventing 'Mania. After injury denied him that chance in 2024, the dream has come true in 2025, as it was announced that the triple threat between CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns will be the main event of Night 1 of WrestleMania 41. But was this truly the best way for Phil Brooks to achieve his dream?

CM Punk Will Headline WrestleMania 41 (Sort Of)

Night 1's Main Event Will Be a Star-Studded Triple Threat

In 2025, WWE has a very enviable problem: too many of its talents have reached main event status. Gone are the days when the "upper card" was defined just by World Title matches. Nowadays, the successful brand of storytelling implemented by the Triple H regime means that any match can be a main event if there is enough starpower involved and the build has been good. The triple threat between Punk, Rollins, and Reigns surely checks these boxes. These are three of the biggest stars in the company, with Reigns and Punk especially enjoying global fame that goes beyond the world of the WWE. The story is also there: Punk's involvement with the Bloodline at Survivor Series raised many eyebrows at the time, but it's all coming full circle. Rollins' animosity against Punk, and the latter's history with the Shield, all add to the match a much-needed emotional layer.

However, Punk isn't necessarily the linchpin of this story. One could argue that whatever history he may have with Reigns or Rollins, it pales compared to the relationship these two have with each other. Reigns vs. Rollins is THE story that fans have been waiting to see unfold, bringing to an end a tale that began in June of 2014 with the implosion of the Shield. The path that these two have taken since, while different, contributed to keeping WWE afloat during the worst years of the Vince regime and ushered the company to its current glory and success. So, all things considered, is CM Punk the third wheel in this match?

Is CM Punk the Third Wheel of the Match?

Too Many Stories Are Colliding in This Match

This triple threat match is clearly really convenient for the WWE right now. It serves them well to spotlight three of the company's biggest talents who are not currently fighting for a championship. It also finally archives CM Punk's biggest complaint, giving him the reward and gratification he deserves, especially after the great work he's been doing since his return. However, is this really what Punk wanted? It's easy to argue that Night 1's main event is not the actual main event of the show. Without going too deep into the debate, during the last two editions of 'Mania, while the main events of Night 1 were amazing, they were clearly overshadowed by those of Night 2.

Moreover, considering how important this is for Punk, having him achieve his dream in a triple threat match where he feels like the outsider (storywise) is surely diminishing. More than the coronation and vindication this should have been, it feels like a gift package given from the company to a valuable employee to satiate him while denying its actual request. Punk's tears during SmackDown from London obviously tell another story, but if given the choice, would he not have preferred main eventing Night 2 in a singles match?

What WWE Could Have Done With Punk at WrestleMania

The Second City Saint vs. The Tribal Chief

Going back to the "problem" of having too many main eventers, it's understandable that WWE has a hard time giving everyone what they want (cue Batista's infamous "give me what I want!" promo). At 46, and with a tendency to injury, Punk has no guarantee he will take part in another 'Mania, or if he will be in the same spot when the time comes. Also, there were realistically no other options. John Cena's farewell tour sort of locked out Night 2's main event slot, which is a little ironic (in a sad way) because it means Punk has, once again, had to relinquish his spot to Cena. The "win the Rumble" path was reserved to push a new main eventer, and by the way, the World Heavyweight Title match won't main event either of the nights.

The only spot left was in the orbit of the Tribal Chief, now in his 10th WrestleMania main event, and WWE played that card as best as possible, leveraging the connection with Paul Heyman, adding a layer of intrigue regarding the "favor" promised by Heyman to Punk, and the possibility that the Wiseman could betray his Tribal Chief. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk surely has "WrestleMania main event" written all over it, a true marquee match between two of the most popular stars in the company's history. Which leads to the unpleasant question: is Rollins actually the third wheel, then?

While Rollins' real-life hatred for Punk adds a tinge of realism to the match (which is always great in pro wrestling), we've already seen this play out on TV in the past months. Rollins's story with Roman feels superior in any way, and it seems that WWE will lose two great possible matches (Rollins vs. Reigns and Punk vs. Reigns) to cram all these stars in a single spot. This match will surely be great, but hopefully we will see the other two in the near future, too, and perhaps CM Punk will get a Night 2, singles match main event at WrestleMania 42.