Sami Zayn claimed the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions, shocking Cody Rhodes in a triple threat match, according to Cageside Seats. The victory sets up critical storylines ahead of SummerSlam, with Zayn’s first title defense expected to define his reign.
Sami Zayn’s Unlikely Triumph
Zayn’s win over Rhodes and Gunther marked a seismic shift in WWE’s hierarchy, with the 39-year-old underdog securing his first world title. The victory, however, raises immediate questions about his credibility. “Now that he’s the man, for however long that may be, his reign should be more than a lifetime achievement award,” Cageside Seats noted. The logical next step appears to be a rematch against Trick Williams, who has beaten Zayn twice this year, including a recent United States Championship defense on Bleacher Report.
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Williams’ dominance over Zayn has positioned him as the clear challenger, with Bleacher Report highlighting his “consistent title defense” as key to maintaining the United States Championship’s prestige. Yet Zayn’s victory suggests WWE is prioritizing narrative over precedent, leaving fans to wonder if the new champion can withstand the pressure of a high-stakes title defense.
Jey Uso’s Defeat and the Bloodline’s Dilemma
The night’s most controversial outcome came in the King of the Ring final, where Jey Uso lost to Oba Femi, defying Roman Reigns’ apparent plan to crown him as the “Main Event” heir. “You’re in trouble, Uce,” Uso reportedly told Reigns after the match, a move Cageside Seats called “a blow to the OTC’s confidence.”
For more on this story, see WWE Night of Champions 2026: Final Betting Odds & Predictions.
Femi’s victory has thrust him into the spotlight, with Yahoo Sports noting that Femi now has the right to challenge either the Undisputed or World Heavyweight Champion at SummerSlam. The article also emphasized Femi’s “indestructible vibe,” crediting the match’s storytelling for redeeming WWE’s booking of the NXT star. “To even say it out loud now feels humiliating, but some of us genuinely thought Jey Uso was going to beat Oba Femi,” Yahoo Sports admitted, acknowledging the surprise of Femi’s victory.
Reigns’ reaction remains uncertain, but Cageside Seats suggested he may accelerate efforts to rebuild The Bloodline. “No wonder Reigns has been racing to reassemble The Bloodline. He’ll need all the help he can get to hold back the former NXT champion,” the outlet wrote, framing Femi as a legitimate threat to the Tribal Chief’s reign.
Trick Williams’ Continued Dominance
Williams’ United States Championship victory at Backlash and his recent win over Carmelo Hayes solidified his status as a top-tier competitor. Bleacher Report praised his “consistent title defense,” noting that his success has elevated the title’s prestige. However, the outlet also warned that Williams must maintain momentum to avoid falling into the shadow of past champions like Sami Zayn and Ilja Dragunov.
The match between Williams and Hayes, described as “well-worked” by
