Sami Zayn is a two-time Undisputed WWE Champion. He pinned CM Punk in the main event of SmackDown on Friday night at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, ending Punk’s reign in a finish that needed four people and one very badly aimed championship belt.
Kevin Owens was the one who swung it. With Zayn reaching for the title, Owens hit the ring and lined up a belt shot on his former partner, only to drill Punk with it instead. Zayn low-blowed Owens, hit the Helluva Kick on Punk and covered him for the three count.
Punk had already survived one bad break. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae worked the closing stretch on Zayn’s behalf, with LeRae pulling referee Dan Engler’s attention away at the exact moment Zayn tapped out to the Anaconda Vice. Gargano then went for the belt, Punk countered into a GTS, and dropped Gargano with one as well.
Zayn Gets Back The Reign He Barely Had
Zayn’s first run with the title lasted nine days. He won it at Night of Champions on June 27 in Riyadh, rolling up Cody Rhodes in a triple threat that also included Gunther, which completed his Grand Slam and ended a decade of near misses.
Punk took it from him on the July 6 Raw in Chicago, stepping in as a replacement challenger after Gunther put Rhodes out of the match. Zayn has spent every week since sabotaging Punk’s defenses. He hit Kevin Owens with the belt to hand Punk a win in Toronto, wrecked the No. 1 contender’s match between Owens, Gunther and Finn Balor, and hit Punk with the title during last week’s defense against Gargano in Cleveland. Punk challenged him to the rematch himself to put a stop to it.
Gargano And Orton Are Already Waiting
Gargano collected on the favor before the match even started, telling Zayn backstage that a win meant Gargano was first in line. Zayn did not look like a man who wanted to agree to that.
Randy Orton got there first anyway. Cutting a promo earlier in the night to a Mexico City crowd that cheered him through his own heel turn, Orton put the main event on notice. “I’m coming for you,” he said, to whoever walked out with the belt.
