Sami Zayn did not take his nine-day title reign ending quietly.
In a heated backstage promo immediately after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to CM Punk on Raw, Zayn vented his frustration at being dethroned by a wrestler absent from WWE programming for months.
Zayn dropped the title to Punk in the main event of Raw, just nine days into his first world championship reign. The match was originally advertised as a defense against former champion Cody Rhodes. However, WWE ran an angle where hometown hero Punk replaced Rhodes after the latter was attacked by Gunther.
Speaking backstage moments after the loss, Zayn questioned how Punk was able to secure a shot at all.
“I have a question. How is it that after 24 years of crawling and inching for every little inch to get the WWE Championship, after I finally get it, nine days after I get it, that piece of sh*t can walk back in here after not being here for months, for months, and waltz right in and get it? Get a chance? That motherf***er! He has no business! No business!”
WWE posted the promo to social media, where Zayn’s raw reaction played into the storyline already surrounding his short reign.
Zayn won the title at Night of Champions on June 27 in a triple threat match that also included Rhodes and Gunther. It was the first World Championship reign of his WWE career, and reporting ahead of it suggested WWE did not view him as a “money player” despite the win.
Speculation about a fast, deflating title loss has now played out on screen.
CM Punk headed to SmackDown
Ahead of his WWE Raw return, Punk had been absent from WWE programming after WrestleMania 42, where he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns. He is now headed to SmackDown as the champion.
Punk is expected to defend against Rhodes at SummerSlam this August. WWE has confirmed he will appear on the blue brand when SmackDown airs from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City this Friday.
Via WWE
