Predicting Sami Zayn Storylines, Feuds and When He Loses the Undisputed WWE Championship

After a disappointing nine-day reign, we're eager to see if Sami Zayn can persevere with new challengers nipping at his heels.

"Last Real Good Guy" defied the odds for a second time, defeating CM Punk to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion. Many fans saw his first world title win at Night of Champions as a fluke or a consolation prize.

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Many didn't believe he would regain the company's most coveted prize so soon. Nevertheless, Punk's ambition to be a fighting champion backfired as Zayn capitalized on a chaotic finish during their rematch in Mexico City.

With Money in the Bank three weeks away, the 42-year-old has a massive chip on his shoulder and an even bigger target on his back. Let's try to predict how the Canadian star's latest tenure as world champion will pan out.

SmackDown's world title picture is more interesting than it has been in months. Unfortunately, Zayn has made a lot of enemies on the brand since he turned heel.

Obviously, Punk and Cody Rhodes will eventually seek a rematch. Johnny Gargano is also expecting him to honor their deal and give him the first shot at his newly acquired championship gold.

Expect Zayn to renege on his promise, setting Gargano up as a potential Money in the Bank participant. Gunther and Finn Balor will also be in the mix when WWE announces the qualifying matches for SmackDown.

Although Bron Breakker is the early favorite, Kevin Owens would be an exciting pick to win the men's ladder match. Instead, we're betting Owens and Punk will challenge Zayn in a triple-threat match at the upcoming event.

Initially, many suspected Zayn vs. Punk would be the blockbuster main event for WWE/AAA/NXT Worlds Collide. However, the crossover show reportedly isn't scheduled to stream live on Sept. 26, and the match isn't advertised on Allstate Arena's website .

Money in the Bank is the likely destination, and a triple-threat match makes the most sense considering the build. Despite the odds, Punk and Owens' lingering animosity will likely give the champ a chance to survive until the next premium live event.

A Showdown With Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel

Zayn is a great fit as the current champion because it's too soon to revisit Punk vs. Roman Reigns. It would also be a shrewd move to leverage the reaction to this win at Night of Champions ahead of WWE's return to Saudi Arabia.

According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider , multiple sources stated that Zayn regained the world title because WWE wants him to headline Crown Jewel with Reigns in November.

That would line up because the two didn't interact during his first reign. The men's and women's Crown Jewel Championship matches have also become an annual tradition, and this is an ideal matchup.

Riyadh will give Zayn a warm welcome, creating an atmosphere similar to their 2023 encounter at Elimination Chamber. Conversely, it will extend his reign and provide a marquee match where his title isn't at stake.

It's a safe bet that Reigns will win and move on to this year's men's WarGames match a few weeks later. Meanwhile, his former stablemate will have his head on a swivel for the rest of 2026.

Sami Zayn Will Drop The Title On SmackDown

Television title changes have been a mainstay under the current creative regime. So, expect Zayn to drop the title in the weeks leading up to or after Survivor Series.

The PLE takes place on Nov. 28, three weeks after Crown Jewel and two weeks before Wrestlepalooza. WWE's final "Big Four" event of the year routinely has a five-match card to compensate for the men's and women's WarGames matches.

More importantly, the event hasn't held a traditional WWE championship match since 2019. That could change this year, but it's easier to assume Zayn won't defend his title at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.

It's a bit harder to predict who will defeat him. Owens is long overdue for another world title run, but Punk currently seems like the most logical choice. Considering how he lost to Zayn, it doesn't seem like the company is done with him as champion.