Sami Zayn Captures Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia

At Night of Champions on June 27, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a triple‑threat match to win the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time in his career. Zayn said the victory lifted a heavy weight from his shoulders and described the feeling as "great" and "like the weight of the world off my shoulders." He also recalled earlier doubts after a loss to Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble, when he feared his championship window had closed.

Following the win, Zayn expressed relief that King of the Ring winner Oba Femi chose to face Brock Lesnar in a Hell‑in‑a‑Cell match at SummerSlam, clearing a potential challenger for his title. WWE storylines now set up Roman Reigns versus Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship and other matches for the August event.

Former WWE star Ryback defended Zayn against criticism of his physique, arguing that modern, drug‑tested wrestling should judge champions by performance, not appearance. The win has sparked debate over whether Zayn will be a transitional champion, with analysts such as Dave Meltzer suggesting his reign may be brief. Overall, Zayn’s title capture marks a major shift in WWE's main‑event picture heading into SummerSlam.