The Night of Champions Post Show began moments after main event ended, and one of the first things we were treated to was an interview with the man who won the last bout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Arena today (Sat., June 27, 2026). That would be Sami Zayn, who defeated Gunther and Cody Rhodes to win the WWE title he’s been chasing since signing with the company a decade ago.
Zayn, who is of Syrian descent and a practicing Muslim, has also forged a bond with the people of Saudi Arabia over the course
of WWE’s relationship with the Kingdom. He opened with this, before saying what I presume was the same thing or something similar in Arabic to the crowd:
“A lot of folks said I would never win the WWE championship. But I stand here tonight in front of my people, the WWE Champion.”
When they responded with a “you deserve it” chant, the Last Real Good Guy agreed with his whole chest:
“You know what? You’re damn right I deserve it! Twenty-plus years in the game at the highest level, never got the recognition. Ten-plus years chasing this championship, never got the recognition. I don’t care what happens to me tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. Forever, I will be Sami Zayn, WWE champion.”
Hard to believe. I’ve been following this guy’s career since the late Aughts (look, this isn’t the time to debate kayfabe history… I’m marking out over here!) and I never thought this would ever happen, especially since his long-time frienenemy Kevin Owens never had another run with either of WWE’s top belts after his “break glass in case of emergency” Universal championship run with Chris Jericho.
We’ll worry about booing you again later, Sami. Right now, a lot of us are too busy saying “you’re damn right he deserved it!”
