A backstage update has been provided on Sami Zayn dropping the WWE Championship after just 9 days with the title.
As reported by Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Zayn is not considered to be “a money player” by those within WWE, and only those who fit that criteria are being given the top titles:
“I saw a lot of people upset about it and it was like, look, this is what it was going to be. You know that going in. They don’t really at this point in time, they do this for the undercard titles, they really don’t for the two major men’s titles…they aren’t really passing around belts now. They really are in the hands of the people who the perception is are the money players, and Sami is not in their mind one of those people. He could have been. There was a time where he was, but even then in their minds he still wasn’t because it’s like one of those things of they’re still all brainwashed by the cosmetics in a lot of ways, and that certain people are good hands but they can’t be the guy. And Sami is one of those guys in their minds that can’t be the guy.”
How Sami Zayn Won And Lost The WWE Championship
Following his win at Night of Champions, Zayn looked to celebrate on the next episode of SmackDown. However, the celebrations were interrupted by Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso, leading to a number-one contender’s match between the two. Rhodes picked up the win and looked set to challenge Zayn on the July 6 Raw. However, Rhodes was attacked at the start of the broadcast by Gunther, and was not cleared to compete in the main event.
After Zayn was informed that he would still be defending the championship in Chicago regardless, Nick Aldis informed Adam Pearce that he found a replacement. The replacement was revealed to be Chicago’s own CM Punk, who received a thunderous ovation from his hometown fans. After hitting the GTS, Punk won his 8th World Championship in WWE.
Prior to the title change, the lack of updates appeared to foreshadow a short reign for Zayn. Along with the now-former World Champion not being granted a match at SummerSlam, no graphics were updated to have Zayn holding the title.
H/t to Cultaholic for the use of the transcription.
Featured image: WWE
