WWE’s Original WrestleMania 40 Plan For CM Punk & Seth Rollins Unveiled

WWE has often had to adjust its plans due to unforeseen circumstances, including injuries, and WrestleMania 40 was no exception. Original plans for a match between Seth Rollins and CM Punk had to be altered when Punk suffered a triceps injury. The match was set to break away from the traditional heel vs. babyface dynamic, which would have made it a unique contest.

At one point, there was a possibility that Seth Rollins and CM Punk would be part of the WrestleMania 40 card in April 2024. However, plans shifted, and instead, Rollins faced Drew McIntyre. CM Punk still played a crucial role in the event, interfering in the match to cost McIntyre his newly-won title, allowing Damian Priest to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and claim the championship.

On the October 7 episode of WWE Raw, CM Punk addressed the crowd, only to be confronted by Seth Rollins, leading to a face-to-face showdown between the two. This interaction further fueled speculation about their potential WrestleMania matchup.

Dave Meltzer, speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, shared details about the original plans for the Punk vs. Rollins match at WrestleMania 40.

“When they were doing it the first time, Rollins was not turning heel for that match with Punk at WrestleMania, and Punk was not going to turn heel either. It was going to be a babyface vs. babyface match.”

Dave Meltzer added that the match wouldn’t have been about the typical face vs. heel storyline, as both men could simply go head-to-head without needing those roles. The dynamic would have centered on the fact that, “it’s easy for people to buy” that Punk is disliked, regardless of the usual character alignments.

Plans for WWE SummerSlam in August 2024 had Seth Rollins serving as the special referee during Drew McIntyre’s match against CM Punk. Earlier this year, Rollins signed a new contract, ensuring he remains with WWE for the foreseeable future, with his previous deal expiring in June 2024.