Paul Heyman has revealed that WWE‘s original WrestleMania 42 plans were significantly different from what fans will actually see this weekend — and that he was personally in line to be part of the main event picture before injuries and creative changes altered the course of the entire show. Speaking with his son Jacob on Instagram, Heyman laid out the two iterations of plans that fell apart.
“I don’t think it’s a big secret that everything was driving this year to be Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns, and then that fell apart. And then it was going to be Bron Breakker vs. CM Punk, and that fell apart. So I was in line to be a part of the main event this year, and fate intervened not once but even twice,” Heyman said.
The Original WrestleMania 42 World Title Plans Changed Twice Before Landing on Punk vs. Reigns for Night Two
The evolution of the booking is now clearer with Heyman’s account. When Seth Rollins versus Roman Reigns was the planned World Heavyweight Championship main event, the Undisputed WWE Championship picture was reportedly pointing toward Cody Rhodes versus CM Punk. When Rollins’ shoulder injury derailed that plan, the World Heavyweight picture shifted to Punk versus Bron Breakker — before Breakker’s hernia recovery timeline and creative decisions ultimately led WWE to Punk versus Reigns for Night Two and Gunther stepping in to face Rollins on Night One.