Sami Zayn's Brief Reign as WWE Champion Ends After Nine Days

Sami Zayn's brief reign as WWE Champion came to an unexpected end after just nine days when he lost the title to CM Punk. AJ Styles expressed his confusion over the quick title change, urging fans to remain patient as the storyline unfolds. As Sami prepares to team up with Gunther against Cody Rhodes and Punk at the upcoming Saturday Night's Main Event, questions arise about his future at SummerSlam. Will he make a surprise appearance to challenge the winner? The wrestling world is eager to find out.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 16, 2026, 23:39 IST

Sami Zayn's Championship Journey

Sami Zayn concluded his narrative at Night of Champions by triumphing over Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a thrilling triple-threat match, thus claiming the WWE Championship. In contrast to Cody, who held the title for a full year following his story arc at Wrestlemania 40, Sami's reign was cut short after just nine days. He lost the championship to a returning CM Punk during an episode of Raw in Chicago. Unfortunately for Sami, he will not have a chance to reclaim his title, as Cody is set to challenge Punk in the main event at SummerSlam.

AJ Styles expressed his bewilderment regarding Sami's quick title loss. On his podcast, The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, he stated, "I don't understand, and it's not for me to understand. I get it. I didn't write the show. I don't know what's happening, but I'm hoping there is an actual reason. From what I saw on the internet, they showed Sami backstage after the match. Let's see where this story goes before we start getting mad about everything that's going on. There is a story that's happening, so before we get our panties in a wad and just be as negative as we get, let's see what happens. This may be a transition where Sami becomes a totally different character, and that might be what we need. It might lead to another match too," he added.

Looking ahead, Sami is scheduled to team up with Gunther to take on Cody and Punk at the Saturday Night's Main Event on July 18. Gunther has been eyeing the WWE Championship but has consistently fallen short.

Future Matchups for Sami Zayn

Who Will Sami Face at SummerSlam?

It remains uncertain who Sami will face at SummerSlam. Currently, he seems at risk of missing out on this major event. There is speculation that he could make a surprise appearance after the main event to confront the winner, potentially setting up a future match. Meanwhile, Gunther is expected to face Nick Aldis at SummerSlam, following an attack on the Smackdown General Manager during last week's episode.