Sami Zayn captured the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event of Night of Champions on Saturday, pinning defending champion Cody Rhodes in a triple threat match that also included GUNTHER. The victory, which came after more than 13 years with WWE and 24 years in professional wrestling, was immediately hailed by fans and fellow wrestlers as one of the most shocking title changes in company history.
How the Title Change Happened
The match saw all three competitors come close to victory. Rhodes executed a Cross-Rhodes on both Zayn and GUNTHER simultaneously and attempted to pin Zayn, but Zayn slipped out and rolled up Rhodes for the three-count. Zayn then jumped into the crowd in Saudi Arabia, visibly emotional as fans chanted "you deserve it."
"A lot of folks said I would never win the WWE Championship. But I stand here tonight in front of my people," Zayn said in a post-show interview. "You're damn right I deserve it. 20 plus years in the game at the highest level, never got the recognition. 10-plus years chasing this Championship, never got the recognition. I don't care what happens to me, forever I will be Sami Zayn, WWE Champion."
Fan and Wrestler Reactions
On social media platform X, fans expressed shock and elation. @WrestleFeatures wrote: "One of the most shocking title changes in WWE history. WOW." Many compared the moment to Eddie Guerrero's 2004 win over Brock Lesnar at No Way Out. @MarcusS484828 noted: "Seeing Sami celebrate in the crowd reminded me of when Eddie did the same thing after he beat Brock for the title."
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H shared a photo of himself pointing at Zayn with the caption: "From underdog to undisputed. Congrats to the NEW @WWE Undisputed Champion @SamiZayn! Never say never." Zayn's longtime friend and rival Kevin Owens, sidelined since early 2025 with a neck injury, posted: "I've missed a lot of things I wish I hadn't in the last 15 months because of this injury but today is, by far, the one I wish I had been there for the most. Sami becoming WWE Champion was inevitable. He has deserved that moment for a very long time and I am so happy to see him finally get it." Becky Lynch added: "I was crying tears of joy then and I'm crying tears of joy now! So well deserved! Congratulations @SamiZayn!!"
Historical Significance
The win has been widely compared to Daniel Bryan's championship victory at WrestleMania 30 and Eddie Guerrero's 2004 triumph. Alistair McGeorge, a WWE expert for Metro, noted: "Going into the event, it felt like the right time for WWE to tell this story and give Sami the big win, but there was still a lingering doubt. Thankfully, WWE made the big decision on a night full of them." Zayn is now a Grand Slam Champion and a future Hall of Famer, cementing his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
