NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Sami Zayn said Saturday, before heading into a triple threat match for the undisputed WWE title at Night of Champions, that he didn’t know how fans in Saudi Arabia would react if he won.
He received his answer sooner than he thought.
COMPLETE COVERAGE OF PRO WRESTLING ON PK Press Club DIGITAL
Sami Zayn wins the undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 27, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Cody Rhodes, the reigning champion, had Zayn and Gunther lined up for Cross Rhodes near the end of the match. He landed the move on Zayn but essentially threw Gunther out of the ring.
Rhodes dragged Zayn into the middle of the ring for another Cross Rhodes, but Zayn slipped out of it and hit the “American Nightmare” and got the three count for an incredible victory. The crowd in Riyadh went wild when Zayn surprised everyone.
WWE broadcaster Michael Cole described the pin as a “miracle”.
“A miracle in Riyadh,” Cole said.
Sami Zayn celebrates with fans after winning the WWE Undisputed Title during Night of Champions at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 27, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
The professional wrestling community was excited about the sport’s “last real good guy.”
Zayn was in tears as he received the belt from referee Dan Engler. This is Zayn’s first WWE World Championship of any kind. He also becomes the last wrestler to be a Grand Slam champion in WWE.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
“A lot of things have been said about me – good and lately bad. A lot of people said I would never win the WWE Championship,” he said afterward. “But I stand here tonight in front of my people in Riyadh. …It’s hard to believe. Oh my God. I’m not usually at a loss for words but…”
Zayn was still trying to understand the moment as fans shouted, “You deserve it.”
Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn and Gunther compete during Night of Champions at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 27, 2026. (Andrew Timms/WWE)
“You know what? You’re damn right, I deserve it. Over twenty years of playing at the highest level – I never got the recognition. Over ten years chasing that championship – I never got the recognition. I don’t care what happens to me tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. Forever, I will be, Sami Zayn, WWE Champion.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Meanwhile, Gunther was angry with SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis and the two got into a physical altercation.
