CM Punk was set to do an in-ring interview talking about his blockbuster WrestleMania main event against Roman Reigns when he was interrupted by Finn Balor. The Irishman was out there to make one thing clear. He wasn’t done with Punk, and he wanted another shot at the world championship. As Balor saw it, Punk beat him in his hometown, so at Elimination Chamber, he wanted to beat Punk in his.
CM Punk vs Finn Balor Official for Elimination Chamber
It was hard to see a world where CM Punk wouldn’t be on the Chicago card, but that is exactly what would have happened if Adam Pearce had his way. Pearce was adamant that Punk not defend his title because the GM didn’t want anything to mess up the ‘Mania showcase with Reigns, which is over a decade in the making. Pearce told Balor he had his shot and his time had passed, but Balor refused to take that lying down. He goaded Punk to the ring, and the Best in the World was quick to accept the challenge as he wanted to wear the mantle of being a fighting champ. Pearce tried to talk Punk down, but Punk played the champion card and said he had a say in what happened. He wanted to defend the title against anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Punk told Pearce that if he didn’t make the match official, he was going to get his pound of flesh regardless, promising to chase Balor around the arena and beat him to a pulp. Pearce reluctantly relented, making Punk vs Balor II official.
The decision prompted skepticism from Michael Cole, who asked CM Punk why he was jeopardizing his main event opportunity at WrestleMania. Punk said he wasn’t jeopardizing anything; he was building something and chasing something. 10 years ago, he was champion for over 400 days, and in doing so, he established a standard. Punk is trying to chase that story and get better every single day. Punk said he’s brave enough to know that without risk there is no reward and brave enough to put the title on the line because the fans deserve a fighting champion. Punk noted he’s also humble enough to know it can all come crashing down at any time on any given night, but he promises Balor and Reigns that’s not going to happen. Punk addressed Reigns, saying he doesn’t believe he hates him but rather hates that he can’t do anything to stop what Punk is trying to build. For Punk, WrestleMania only ends one way, with his hand raised and the words, “and still, world heavyweight champion, CM Punk.”
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Punk vs Reigns is a match that fans want to see, but now, there is a potential roadblock in the form of Balor and the Elimination Chamber. It is hard to fathom the possibility that Punk loses his title, but WWE has pulled off massive swerves on the Road to WrestleMania before. CM Punk speaking about how it can end at anytime feels almost prophetic. Could Balor pull off the ultimate upset? And if he does, where does that leave Punk? All roads lead to Punk vs Reigns, and it’s nearly impossible to imagine that trigger doesn’t get pulled. WWE could get creative, however, and make Punk’s road to the match he so desperately wants just a little more winding.
Header image, credit: WWE
