The road to WrestleMania 41 just got a whole lot spicier as CM Punk secured his spot in the Elimination Chamber, where he’ll battle John Cena and four other hopefuls for a championship opportunity in Las Vegas. But the real story? Kevin Owens reminding Sami Zayn that friendship in WWE is about as reliable as a contract signing going smoothly.
The night’s main event saw Punk and Zayn fighting for a shot at wrestling’s most coveted tradition: pointing dramatically at the WrestleMania sign. Both men were coming off disappointing Royal Rumble eliminations, meaning this was their chance at redemption—or in Zayn’s case, just another reason for Owens to pile-drive him into the dirt.
Before the match even started, Seth “Freakin'” Rollins took a moment to give Zayn a motivational speech that had all the Ted Lasso energy of a guy who just wants to see his friend win for once. But the moment quickly went off the rails when Rollins and Punk nearly started scrapping on the ramp like two dudes arguing over the last slice of pizza.
Inside the ring, Punk and Zayn put on a clinic, going back and forth in a match that was anyone’s game—until it wasn’t. Punk dodged a Helluva Kick, caught Zayn in a GTS, and boom, just like that, he’s off to the Chamber. Meanwhile, Zayn was left to do what he does best: sit in the ring, heartbroken, and questioning every life decision that led him here.
But before Zayn could even process the loss, Kevin Owens casually strolled in to remind him that friendship trauma never takes a night off. Owens blindsided Zayn from behind and delivered a brutal Package Piledriver—the same move that put Cody Rhodes on a stretcher in December. The reason? Well, apparently, Owens still isn’t over the fact that Zayn checked on him instead of actively ruining Cody’s night at the Rumble. Because, in Owens’ world, being a good friend means suplexing your bestie into next week.
With Punk now in the Elimination Chamber and Owens reminding Zayn that forgiveness is not in his vocabulary, WrestleMania season is heating up. The real question is: will Zayn strike back, or will he just accept his fate as Kevin Owens’ personal punching bag?