For the first time in his career, Sami Zayn is the holder of the WWE Championship following a shocking end to Night of Champions.
Competing in the main event of the Premium Live Event in Saudi Arabia, Zayn defeated former champion Cody Rhodes and Gunther to hold the top title for the first time in his career. The closing moments of the match saw Zayn counter a Cross Rhodes attempt to pin Rhodes and win the championship. Zayn celebrated with the fans after the bell to bring the Riyadh show to a close.
The victory now makes Zayn a grand slam champion in WWE, as he has previously held the NXT Championship, Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, and the WWE Tag Team Championship, both times with Kevin Owens.
During the post-show, Gunther confronted GM Nick Aldis backstage, as he was angry about losing another WWE title match. Gunther told Aldis that he was jealous because he was a failed wrestler. Gunther poked Aldis, who responded by shoving Gunther as they were separated by officials. Aldis told Gunther he’d see him on Friday.
The title change brings Rodes’ third reign to an end at 113 days. Rhodes won the title from Drew McIntyre on SmackDown after first losing the gold to McIntyre at the start of the year. The match was made official for Night of Champions following Zayn serving as a special guest referee for a match between Gunther and Rhodes. Zayn fast-counted Gunther after being assaulted by The Ring General, and attacked Rhodes when the match was restarted. Demanding both challengers, Rhodes asked for the match to be a triple threat in Saudi Arabia.
This was the only title change to take place on the show.
Kevin Owens Reacts To Sami Zayn WWE Title Win
Following the title change, Zayn’s best friend and former rival, Kevin Owens, took to social media to congratulate Zayn on his big win:
I’ve missed a lot of things I wish I hadn’t in the last 15 months because of this injury but today is, by far, the one I wish I had been there for the most.
He has brought out the best in me as both an ally and a foe. That’s because he is THE best.
When you’re consistently that good for that long, you become undeniable.
Sami becoming WWE Champion was inevitable. He has deserved that moment for a very long time and I am so happy to see him finally get it.
Now enjoy these pictures of me annoying him at various stages of our careers. The last one is him putting on my sock in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere in Texas because I thought I had broken my back the night before and could not move. He had to help me put on my boxers too.
Look how happy he is…
Now tell me he doesn’t deserve to be champion!
@SamiZayn
Featured image: WWE
