Sami Zayn Survives Punk Interference to Retain Title as Williams and Jayne Qualify for MITB

Key points

• Sami Zayn retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens after CM Punk interfered, hitting Owens with a belt shot to allow Zayn to score the pin.
• Trick Williams qualified for the Men's Money in the Bank match by defeating Randy Orton and Rey Fenix in a three-way contest.
• Jacy Jayne qualified for the Women's Money in the Bank match by defeating Jade Cargill and Alexa Bliss.
• Nick Aldis awarded Kevin Owens a title opportunity after a stunner to Johnny Gargano, setting up the main event.
• Bleacher Report graded the overall show B-, praising the title picture but noting a lack of energy in other segments.

Background

Sami Zayn won the Undisputed WWE Championship from CM Punk on September 11, 2026, in Mexico City, ending Punk's 67-day reign. This marked the fifth title change in 2026. Prior to the September 18 episode, Zayn's second title run was expected to face turbulence due to a crowded field of challengers and ongoing feuds, including Cody Rhodes' rivalry with Randy Orton.

How outlets are covering it

Bleacher Report emphasized the narrative strength of the title picture, comparing it to Triple H's booking, but criticized the lack of energy in non-title segments. Fightful focused on the logistical outcome, highlighting the qualification of Williams and Jayne and the announcement of the next week's qualifiers, including Finn Balor vs. CM Punk vs. Gunther and Giulia vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Lash Legend. WWE.com provided highlights of the event, focusing on the interference by Punk and the subsequent title retention, without offering critical analysis.

Why it matters

The retention of the title by Sami Zayn sets up a continued rivalry with Kevin Owens and CM Punk, potentially leading to a triple threat or further interference. The qualification of Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne for Money in the Bank adds to the anticipation of the upcoming event, while the next week's qualifiers, including high-profile names like CM Punk and Charlotte Flair, promise to further elevate the stakes for the main event.

What to watch

The next SmackDown on September 25, 2026, will feature Men's and Women's Money in the Bank qualifiers, with Finn Balor, CM Punk, and Gunther competing in the men's match, and Giulia, Charlotte Flair, and Lash Legend in the women's match. The ongoing rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton is expected to continue, with Rhodes threatening further chaos. Additionally, the tag team division will see action as Bakusai and The MFTs face off, with The War Raiders also vying for the titles.