CM Punk losing the WWE Championship to Sami Zayn wasn’t WWE simply looking for a surprise in Mexico City. The timing of the title change apparently fits into something the company already has mapped out involving the growing number of people surrounding the championship picture.
During a WrestleVotes Q&A, the reason WWE went with Zayn on the September 11 episode of SmackDown was discussed. JoeyVotes explained that WWE has an idea and a timeline for the storyline, and putting the championship on Zayn when it did allowed the company to get where it wants to go.
“Sami, it fits whatever story they are telling here with all these six or seven guys that are now involved. They got to Sami on Friday because they have an idea and a timeline they want to fit in, and it just so happens to work.”
There is another piece to it as well. WWE has been putting a bigger emphasis on giving RAW and SmackDown matches where the result doesn’t feel obvious before the bell rings, rather than saving every major development for premium live events. TC pointed to Punk losing his championship on SmackDown as an example of that approach.
“There’s a big emphasis on big-time matches on TV happening on Raw and SmackDown. We saw it happen on Friday night. They’re going to continue to want you to tune in, not giving you these ho-hum matches where you know the outcome of the matches.”
That certainly describes what WWE gave viewers on September 11. Punk appeared to have Zayn beaten when he made him tap to the Anaconda Vice, but Candice LeRae distracted the referee before the submission could be seen.
Johnny Gargano and Kevin Owens eventually got involved as well. Owens accidentally struck Punk with the WWE Championship, and Zayn ultimately connected with the Helluva Kick to become WWE Champion for the second time.
There were already questions about why WWE made the switch, especially since Dave Meltzer reported that some people backstage were against it. Meltzer was also told that WWE has a storyline in place that should make the decision clearer once everything plays out.
“With the Sami Zayn thing, the basic gist was they have a storyline that will make sense when you look back on it, is what I was told. When it’s all said and done this will all make sense. There was certainly people who were against it but they did it. And that was that.”
The pieces are already piling up around Zayn. Punk has a reason to come after the championship he lost through interference, Gargano previously wanted the first opportunity if Zayn became champion, and Owens played a direct role in Punk losing the belt.
WWE apparently wanted Zayn holding the championship at this particular point in that story, and Punk happened to be the man who had to lose it to get there. Now the question is what WWE has planned that required the title to change hands when it did.
What do you think WWE is building toward with Sami Zayn’s championship reign? Let us know in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
