The Aftermath of Sami Zayn’s Nine-Day Title Reign
Sami Zayn’s brief championship run concluded when he lost the title to CM Punk, making Punk an eight-time champion, according to coverage of the event. While the decision drew scrutiny from athletes like AJ Styles, who publicly questioned the abbreviated length of the run, former WWE star Maven addressed the title change on his YouTube channel in a video titled “WWE did Sami Zayn dirty.” Maven praised the quality of the championship bout itself while acknowledging that Zayn warranted a more extended run with the belt. “I’m glad they had the common courtesy and respect to beat Sami Zayn in the middle of the ring,” Maven said, according to a transcription by Wrestling Inc. “I’m glad they didn’t job him out with having him tap out. That’s just…that’s not a good look. I have no problem with the match. I actually think it was a good match…both men worked their asses off, they told a good story, they told the story that needed to be told in the city they were in. CM Punk is now an eight time champion. Sami Zayn had the belt for 9 days. I’m glad he had it, but there’s a little part of me that wishes he had it longer,” Maven added, as credited by Wrestling Inc.
Missed Opportunities at Saturday Night’s Main Event
Zayn nearly secured an immediate path back to the championship picture at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Partnering with GUNTHER, Zayn faced the team of CM Punk and Cody Rhodes with high stakes on the line. According to match stipulations, a victory for Zayn and GUNTHER would have inserted both men directly into the Punk versus Rhodes match scheduled for SummerSlam. However, interference altered the outcome when “SmackDown” General Manager Nick Aldis struck GUNTHER with CM Punk’s title belt, enabling Punk and Rhodes to secure the pinfall victory and dash Zayn’s hopes of an immediate rematch.
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