Sami Zayn finally got his world title moment at WWE Night of Champions, but it sounds like WWE may have originally had a much bigger stage in mind.
After Sami beat Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER in a Triple Threat Match at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Cory Hays of False Finish reported that WWE had originally planned for Zayn to win the title at WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia next year.
“They wanted to do it next year at WrestleMania”
That makes Sami’s Night of Champions win even more interesting, because WWE apparently pulled the trigger much earlier than initially planned. The match itself was pure chaos, with Cody Rhodes defending the title, GUNTHER trying to finally get the championship he believed he had been robbed of, and Sami fighting like a man who knew this might be his last real shot.
The finish came after Cody hit a double Crossroads on GUNTHER, only for Sami to quickly roll Cody up and steal the three count. Just like that, Cody’s reign was over, GUNTHER was left furious, and Sami finally became Undisputed WWE Champion after more than two decades in wrestling.
Sami was emotional on the Night of Champions post-show, where he reminded everyone that plenty of people said he would never reach this level. Once the moment fully hit him, Sami made it clear he was done acting like he did not deserve it.
“Some bad and good — and lately, some bad. A lot of folks said I would never win the WWE Championship! But I stand here tonight in front of my people — the WWE Champion! It is hard to believe. Oh my God. Byron… you know I’m not usually at a loss for words, but I…
You know what? You’re DAMN RIGHT I deserve it! Twenty-plus years in the game at the highest level — never got the recognition. Ten-plus years chasing this title — never got the recognition. I don’t care what happens to me tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. Forever, I will be Sami Zayn — W-W-E Champion!”
If WWE really planned to save Sami’s crowning moment for WrestleMania 43, then Night of Champions may have been a major creative shift. Either way, Sami is not waiting until next year anymore. He is the Undisputed WWE Champion right now, and WWE has a very different main event scene heading into the summer.
What do you think about WWE reportedly moving up Sami Zayn’s title win? Was Night of Champions the right place to do it, or should WWE have saved it for WrestleMania 43? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
