Sami Zayn Pushed for WWE Title Win at Royal Rumble

The outcome of Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn at the 2026 Royal Rumble now has much more context—and it puts the spotlight squarely on what happened after the bell.

As confirmed following the event, McIntyre’s victory wasn’t just another successful defense. The win extended his undefeated record against Zayn to 12–0, ended Zayn’s winning streak in Saudi Arabia, and effectively locked McIntyre in as WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion heading into WrestleMania 42. There were no shortcuts, no interference, and no controversy inside the match itself—McIntyre simply beat Zayn clean. Behind the scenes, though, the finish wasn’t universally embraced.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Sami Zayn was actively lobbying to win the WWE Championship from Drew McIntyre. Zayn pushed for the title change throughout the build to the Royal Rumble match and was still advocating for himself to win as late as the day of the show. Ultimately, WWE went in a different direction.

This update reframes the match as the likely peak of Zayn’s run in the World Heavyweight Championship picture for this WrestleMania season. While there had been earlier indications that Zayn could factor into the top title scene heading toward WrestleMania 42, the Royal Rumble result suggests WWE has shifted plans.

Those plans were been in flux for months. WWE’s WrestleMania direction has changed repeatedly, including adjustments to the Royal Rumble winner itself in the weeks leading up to the event. In that environment, Zayn’s push appears to have stalled just short of the ultimate prize.

McIntyre, meanwhile, leaves Riyadh with his momentum fully intact—champion, dominant, and firmly positioned as the man to beat on the road to WrestleMania 42.