Sami Zayn is wasting no time stepping into the spotlight as WWE’s new Undisputed Champion. After stunning CM Punk on the September 11 episode of WWE SmackDown to reclaim the title, Zayn is now officially set to appear on the September 18 show with a long list of top names already circling his championship.
Zayn’s title win came during a chaotic scene involving Kevin Owens, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. WWE described the madness as the opening Sami needed to pull off the victory and walk out as champion. WWE explained what happened during the title change.
“In a flurry of chaos created by Kevin Owens, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae last week, Sami Zayn took advantage and defeated CM Punk to recapture the Undisputed WWE Championship.”
Sami may have finally gotten what he considers justice, but WWE is already making it clear that the celebration could get ugly fast. CM Punk isn’t the only man who could come looking for the title, with Kevin Owens, Gunther, Finn Bálor, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Johnny Gargano all named as potential threats. WWE laid out the growing list of challengers waiting for Zayn.
“‘Justice’ has now been achieved in Zayn’s eyes, but Punk, Owens, Gunther, Finn Bálor, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Johnny Wrestling are seemingly all gunning for the gold.”
WWE also confirmed that the self-proclaimed “Last Real Good Guy” will be in the building Friday night.
“The self-proclaimed ‘Last Real Good Guy’ will be on SmackDown, Friday at 8 ET/7 CT on USA.”
Zayn’s appearance joins a SmackDown lineup that already includes Cody Rhodes sitting down with Michael Cole, while both the men’s and women’s Money in the Bank qualifying matches are scheduled to continue.
The current WWE SmackDown lineup for September 18 includes:
- Sami Zayn to appear
- Cody Rhodes’ sit-down interview with Michael Cole
- Men’s Money in the Bank qualifying matches
- Women’s Money in the Bank qualifying matches
Sami Zayn barely has time to enjoy being champion before WWE starts stacking possible challengers around him. With Punk wanting his title back and several former world champions already in the mix, Friday night could turn into Sami’s first real taste of just how messy life at the top can get.
Who do you think should be the first person to challenge Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship? Let us know in the comments.
