All articles tagged with #sami zayn
CM Punk is expected to have a lengthy Undisputed WWE Championship reign, largely on SmackDown, with NBCUniversal pushing his presence; he returned on the July 6 Raw and ended Sami Zayn’s nine-day title run, and he will make Raw appearances as needed.
Sami Zayn cut a heated backstage promo nine days after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to CM Punk on Raw, questioning how Punk earned a shot after months away. Punk, making a hometown Chicago return and replacing Cody Rhodes in the title bout, sparked Zayn’s fury as he blasted Punk in the promo. WWE has Punk heading to SmackDown and is setting up a SummerSlam feud with Rhodes, with Punk due to appear on SmackDown in Oklahoma City as part of the build.
CM Punk returned to Raw in Chicago to win the WWE Championship from Sami Zayn, ending Zayn’s title reign after nine days. In the immediate aftermath, Zayn lashed out in a non-PG rant before breaking down in tears, leaving the WWE title picture wide open as SummerSlam looms.
CM Punk defeated Sami Zayn on Raw to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, ending Zayn’s nine‑day reign and setting up a potential Punk vs. Cody Rhodes clash at SummerSlam. The crowd in Punk’s Chicago hometown loved the moment, but online reaction was largely negative about the title change. Becky Lynch, a friend of Zayn, weighed in via Instagram, while others like KENTA (Hideo Itami) and NOAH’s portrayal echoed disapproval, underscoring ongoing backlash from some wrestlers and fans despite the live reception.
CM Punk made a surprise return on Raw in Chicago and defeated Sami Zayn to reclaim the WWE Championship, ending Zayn’s nine-day title reign after a backstage setup involving Cody Rhodes and a confrontation with GUNTHER. Punk overcame Zayn with a sequence including the Helluva Kick and GTS to win, setting up a likely Punk vs. Cody Rhodes match at SummerSlam.
Raw in Chicago features Sami Zayn defending the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes nine days after Night of Champions, amid rumors that CM Punk could return to challenge for the belt at SummerSlam; the show also includes three title bouts (including Sol Ruca vs. Raquel Rodriguez for the women’s Intercontinental title and Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins vs. Bron Breakker & Austin Theory for the World Tag Team titles) and ongoing build toward SummerSlam with Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns teased, along with various backstage angles and potential Punk moments indicating WWE may be rushing Zayn’s reign in favor of a Punk–Rhodes setup for the stadium show.
Atlantic City taped SmackDown spoilers reveal Cody Rhodes pinned Jey Uso in the main event, earning a showdown with Sami Zayn for the Undisputed Championship on next Friday’s SmackDown (July 7). The night also featured Jade Cargill/Michin/B-Fab defeating Flair/Stratton/Green, Rey Fenix retaining the AAA Cruiserweight title over Vikingo, Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams set as a non-title match for July 10, and Danhausen announcing a JD McDonagh bout at MSG on July 18, along with Balor’s involvement in the Rhodes storyline and Uso sustaining an ankle injury but finishing the match.
SmackDown’s July 3 edition, taped June 29 in Atlantic City, opens with Sami Zayn addressing his Undisputed WWE Title win while Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso interrupt to set up the main event; Cody later defeats Jey to become the Number One Contender for the Undisputed Title and will face Sami on Raw July 7. The show also features backstage promos and matches (Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill/Michin/B-Fab; Rey Fenix vs El Hijo de Vikingo for the AAA Cruiserweight Championship; Danhausen with Cardona, Wilson and Miz; Lainey Reid vs Brie Bella; Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga vs Finn Balor), plus ongoing storyline developments and coverage by Fightful starting at 8 PM ET.
Spoilers from the SmackDown tapings reveal Cody Rhodes defeated Jey Uso to become the #1 contender and will challenge Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship on next week’s Raw from the Allstate Arena in Chicago; CM Punk’s potential Chicago return is rumored but not confirmed, and SmackDown also set Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes in a non-title match.
Lesnar returns for one more match against Oba Femi in Hell in a Cell; Sami Zayn’s WWE Championship win drew overwhelmingly positive backstage reactions; the roundup also notes 2–4 firings in WWE’s digital department, talk of All In London (with no confirmed match plans), Mike Santana headed to WWE after Slammiversary, and Road Dogg is reportedly moving toward signing with TNA to join the creative team.
Spoilers from SmackDown taped in Atlantic City show Sami Zayn touting his WWE Championship win, with Cody Rhodes congratulating him and a booked number-one contender match to determine who will challenge Zayn on Raw in Chicago (July 6). The taped show also features various post-Night of Champions segments and matches setting up further fallout, including Jade Cargill-related dynamics and other backstage angles.
Sami Zayn pinned Cody Rhodes to win the WWE Championship at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, triggering questions about how long his reign will last while WWE maps a SummerSlam plan featuring Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins; the roundup also notes rumors that Hiromu Takahashi may sign with WWE (Bakusai name), that TNA is adding new talent with Eric Tompkins joining its creative team, and that Willow Nightingale is set to return to AEW in July.
At WWE Night of Champions, Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a triple-threat to win the Undisputed WWE Championship and celebrate with the crowd, while Kevin Owens publicly congratulated him and reflected on their long, injury‑affected journey together.
Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a chaotic Night of Champions triple-threat in Saudi Arabia to win his first WWE Championship, sealing the victory with a roll-up on Rhodes as he attempted a second Cross Rhodes.
Sami Zayn finally claimed his first world title by winning the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions in Riyadh, delivering a poetic, crowd-pleasing moment as he defeated the reigning champ with a roll-up after countering a Cross Rhodes, signaling WWE’s bold, high-stakes payoff.