Sami Zayn’s Surprising Victory at Night of Champions

Ahead of Saturday’s triple threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions, Sami Zayn expressed uncertainty about how fans in Saudi Arabia would respond to a potential win. Little did he know, he would soon find out—sooner than expected.

In a thrilling contest, defending champion Cody Rhodes managed to execute his signature move, Cross Rhodes, on both Zayn and Gunther, which led to an intense late-game moment. Just as he was gearing up for another move, Zayn cleverly slipped out, seized the opportunity, and pinned Rhodes for a stunning three-count, igniting exhilaration among the Riyadh crowd.

WWE commentator Michael Cole referred to the moment as “the miracle of Riyadh.”

The wrestling community celebrated Zayn’s triumph, often regarded as the “last truly good man” in the ring. Overcome with emotion, he accepted the championship belt from referee Dan Engler. This win marked Zayn’s first WWE World Championship and solidified his status as a Grand Slam Champion.

Reflecting on the journey, Zayn mentioned, “A lot has been said about me, some good and some bad. Many doubted I’d ever win the WWE Championship. Yet, here I am, standing before the people of Riyadh…I can hardly process this. It’s surreal.” His struggle and resilience definitely resonated with the cheering fans.

Feeling a mix of disbelief and triumph as the crowd chanted, “of course,” Zayn shared, “You know what? That’s completely true. I’ve been in this business for over 20 years without recognition, chasing this championship for more than a decade. Honestly, I don’t care about what may happen next. I’m Sami Zayn, WWE Champion forever.”

In a contrasting backdrop, Gunther, visibly upset, confronted SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, leading to a physical confrontation.