Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
According to sources, the RAW Battle Royal main event to crown an opponent for CM Punk at WrestleMania 28 was a last minute idea that came from Vince McMahon. Although WWE officials had been planning for months that they were going to do a CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho match at WrestleMania, they just weren’t sure how they were going to get there.
One idea discussed over the past several weeks was that Jericho would insult Punk so bad that Punk would eventually wind up demanding a match between the two. WWE officials decided that the storyline was too close to what they were doing with The Undertaker vs. Triple H storyline so they went a different route.
There were also discussions about fans who just paid to see the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to determine the WrestleMania main events and having Jericho throw insults to get a title shot would devalue the Chamber to fans.
Mark Shapiro on TKO Fully Anticipates WWE And UFC Events In Middle East Will Proceed As Planned & Chances Of WWE WrestleMania 43 Moving From Saudi Arabia
WWE: Rusev Provides Update on Hands Injury & WWE TV Return Plans, Tatum Paxley Appearance Set for NXT Halloween Havoc 2026 Pre-Show, Blake Monroe on Lengthy Delay For Her WWE SmackDown In-Ring Debut Made Her Question Herself
Backstage Update on Shawn Michaels Expected To Take Over Bruce Prichard’s Role In WWE & AJ Styles Expected To Gain More Influence In WWE Scouting
