CM Punk was originally slated to win triple threat WWE WrestleMania 41 main event against Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

CM Punk could have won the main event of WrestleMania 41

Insiders on Netflix’s WWE: Unreal reveal that CM Punk was set to triumph in the WrestleMania 41 triple-threat main event against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, only for Paul Heyman to deliver a shocking betrayal that paved the way for Rollins to emerge victorious.

Behind-the-scenes discussions captured in Unreal expose how creative initially favored Punk as the definitive “go-home” winner, with Heyman betraying Roman Reigns to side with Punk, before pivoting at the last minute to shock fans with Rollins’ win.

CM Punk was the logical choice for the win

During a candid roundtable in Unreal, WWE writers unanimously agreed that Punk should carry the WrestleMania main event over both Reigns and Rollins.

“Punk should go over and not only should Punk go over, but Heyman turns on him, doesn’t work. Punk overcomes Paul, beats either Roman or Seth… Punk survives and not only survives, but thrives,” Triple H asserted.

This plan would have crowned CM Punk as the unquestioned centerpiece of WWE’s new era. The original finish hinged on Heyman appearing to align with Punk only to betray him at the climax, mirroring his storied history of switching allegiances.

However, as producers reviewed the live crowd reaction and considered the narrative impact, they opted for an even more stunning moment: Heyman low-blowed Punk and Reigns, then handed Seth Rollins the steel chair for the pin. This altered finish vaulted Rollins back into the top tier while preserving Punk’s aura of near-victory.

Seth Rollins’ triumph, courtesy of Heyman’s last-second defection, reintroduced the Architect as WWE’s leading heel at the spring spectacular. For Punk, the twist maintained his momentum, walking away with moral victory in fans’ eyes and a built-in rematch narrative.

Wrestling insiders now view the altered ending as one of the most effective WrestleMania main-event pivots in recent memory, blending long-term storytelling with genuine unpredictability.

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