Sami Zayn's WWE Championship Reign Faces Early Challenge and Criticism

Sami Zayn captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions on June 27, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, defeating Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER in a triple‑threat match. The surprise victory drew congratulations from former stars such as John Cena, who praised Zayn’s effort and the rarity of reaching the top of the industry.

Soon after the win, WWE set up a number‑one contender match on SmackDown, which Cody Rhodes won over Jey Uso, earning a title defense against Zayn on the July 6 episode of Raw. Fans and commentators have expressed skepticism that Zayn’s reign will be brief, with criticism on social media that the booking appears to give Rhodes an immediate rematch. Wrestling analyst Dave Meltzer warned that a loss within nine days would signal a transitional champion, while AJ Styles and Kevin Nash discussed the possibility of Zayn being a short‑term figure versus an underdog story. ESPN’s reported involvement in WWE’s creative direction adds another layer to the evolving storyline ahead of Summer Slam.