#RawOnNetflix has an incredible look & vibe to it. #WWEonNetflix is gonna be a massive deal for WWE business around the world.
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) January 7, 2025
CM Punk and Seth “Freakin” Rollins battled Monday night on WWE Raw’s debut in one of the most anticipated matches in recent memory. The match, which Punk won, culminated a decade of hostility between the marquee stars. With WrestleMania 41 on the horizon, the question now is: What’s next for these former world champions?
We did 21 million views on tweets across my account and @fightful for Raw on @netflix debut. I've only seen anything comparable for WrestleMania and maybe the 2023 All In
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 8, 2025
From his second night back in WWE, Punk made it clear that competing in the main event of WrestleMania remains his major goal. An untimely torn triceps at last year’s Royal Rumble initially thwarted those plans. However, after settling scores with Drew McIntyre in Hell in a Cell, aiding Roman Reigns in War Games, and defeating Rollins, Punk now has a clear path to achieving his dream.
Does Punk target Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship, or does he eye Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Championship? Another possibility is a match against Reigns, to whom he owes a favor from Survivor Series. Given their history and star power, a Punk vs.
CM Punk beating Seth Rollins exactly how he beat Jon Moxley 🤌🤌
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 7, 2025
Reigns match could easily sell out any venue at WrestleMania.
WWE Raw Listed As Top TV Show In The US On Netflix https://t.co/u1YqBcNlRa
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) January 8, 2025
Regardless of his exact path, Punk is likely to have a strong performance at the Royal Rumble, possibly even winning it, setting him up for a high-profile match in Las Vegas this April. Unlike Punk, Rollins does not have a clear path to WrestleMania.
Punk’s WrestleMania journey ahead
His previous feud with Bronson Reed is on hold due to Reed’s injury during War Games. There’s been talk of an alliance with Drew McIntyre, but Kevin Owens may be a more fitting partner for Rollins.
The real question is whether Rollins will remain a babyface or turn heel. A change in persona might require a complete overhaul, including new entrance music. This transformation could unfold in the months leading up to WrestleMania.
Rollins has had recent run-ins with Jey Uso, suggesting a potential feud. Facing Uso could offer Rollins a path to redemption after last year’s underwhelming performances and would provide him with a high-profile match against one of WWE’s most popular stars. The uncertainty around Rollins’ future post-Punk feud is somewhat disappointing for a superstar of his caliber.
His involvement in main events and title defenses over the past year has been pivotal. A potential heel turn could be his way to reclaim prominence. Regardless of the specifics, Rollins’ journey to WrestleMania 41 is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing stories in WWE over the next few months.
What’s next for Punk and Rollins? Only time—and the Road to WrestleMania—will tell.
