Outside interference helped Zayn reclaim the title in a chaotic main event
Summary
– Sami Zayn defeated CM Punk to become Undisputed WWE Champion
– Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Kevin Owens became involved in the match
– Zayn finished Punk with a Helluva Kick after Owens struck him with the title
Sami Zayn defeated CM Punk to win the Undisputed WWE Championship during the September 11, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown in Mexico City.
The championship rematch quickly became a physical battle as Punk and Zayn targeted each other’s injuries. Punk hurt his left knee early in the match, while Zayn continued dealing with a damaged left wrist.
Zayn recognized Punk’s injury and began attacking the champion’s knee. He removed Punk’s knee pad and later trapped him in a Figure Four Leg Lock, forcing Punk to reach the ropes.
Punk responded by targeting Zayn’s injured wrist and attempting to remove its protective padding. Zayn eventually removed the padding himself after it became loose and began interfering with his ability to use the hand.
Both injuries affected important moments in the match. Punk’s knee prevented him from completing a bulldog and slowed his climb to the top rope, while Zayn’s wrist initially stopped him from lifting Punk for the Blue Thunder Bomb.
Zayn eventually connected with the Blue Thunder Bomb, but Punk kicked out. Punk later hit the Go to Sleep, although the damage to his knee delayed the cover and allowed Zayn to survive.
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae then arrived at ringside. Gargano wanted Zayn to win because he had been promised a future championship opportunity if Sami regained the title.
LeRae distracted the referee while Punk trapped Zayn in the Anaconda Vise. Zayn tapped out, but the official did not see the submission, and the match continued.
Gargano attempted to strike Punk with the championship belt, but Punk avoided the attack and hit him with the Go to Sleep. The referee then focused on removing Gargano from ringside.
Kevin Owens entered the chaos and struck Punk with the championship while the referee was distracted. Zayn responded by hitting Owens with a low blow before removing the title from the ring.
With Punk unable to defend himself, Zayn connected with the Helluva Kick and secured the three-count. The victory made him the Undisputed WWE Champion for the second time.
Zayn finally regained the championship, but the involvement of Gargano, LeRae, and Owens left questions surrounding the finish. Punk appeared to have the match won before the referee missed Zayn submitting to the Anaconda Vise.
