Sami Zayn has been around WWE television recently, but something has been noticeably missing from his appearances. Now, there is a legitimate reason for it.
Zayn hasn’t wrestled since SummerSlam 2026, where he competed in a Fatal Four-Way against Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and Gunther to determine the next challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Owens ultimately won the match.
Since then, Zayn has continued appearing on WWE programming, but he hasn’t stepped back into the ring.
That became particularly noticeable during his recent confrontation with CM Punk, when Zayn mentioned that he couldn’t go after Punk because he had a broken bone in his hand. At first, it wasn’t clear whether that was simply part of the storyline.
Now, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson has confirmed that the injury is legitimate.
For those who have asked about Sami Zayn not competing in the ring of late, Zayn mentioned he had a broken hand during a segment with CM Punk last week. That is a legitimate injury, not something that is storyline.
The report does not reveal how severe the fracture is, nor does it provide a timetable for when Zayn could be medically cleared.
Interestingly, Zayn also hasn’t wrestled at a WWE live event since SummerSlam. There is currently no confirmation that the injury occurred during the Fatal Four-Way, but the timing certainly makes that a possibility.
For now, WWE appears to be taking a cautious approach. Zayn can still contribute to storylines and remain visible on television, while avoiding the physical demands of an actual match.
His interactions with Punk have allowed him to stay relevant without requiring him to compete.
And that may explain why his recent WWE appearances have looked a little different.
Sami Zayn isn’t being kept away because WWE suddenly has nothing for him. He’s apparently dealing with a legitimate injury, and until that hand heals, his return to in-ring competition will have to wait.
