Former champion unloads on CM Punk after Raw defeat
Summary
– Sami Zayn erupted after losing the WWE Championship to CM Punk on Raw
– Zayn was furious that Punk received a title shot after months away from WWE
– The emotional footage showed Zayn breaking down after his nine-day title reign ended
Sami Zayn’s WWE Championship loss to CM Punk did not end when Raw went off the air.
WWE later released footage of Zayn after the match, and the former champion was furious. His anger centered on Punk returning after months away and immediately receiving a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Zayn said he spent 24 years fighting for every inch of progress before finally winning the title. To him, losing it just nine days later to someone who had been absent made the situation feel even worse.
The rant was intense, emotional, and filled with frustration. Zayn made it clear that he did not believe Punk had earned the opportunity.
The moment then shifted from anger to heartbreak. After unloading on Punk, Zayn collapsed to the floor and began crying.
That reaction showed the loss was about more than one match. Zayn had finally reached the top of WWE after years of chasing the moment, only for his reign to end before it ever had time to breathe.
Punk’s win in Chicago gave his hometown crowd a massive celebration, but the aftermath has created a different conversation online. Many fans believe Zayn deserved a longer run as champion.
Zayn still had his WWE Championship moment, but this footage makes it clear he does not see nine days as enough. Punk has the title now, but Zayn’s breakdown may keep this rivalry burning.
.@SamiZayn speaks. 😳 pic.twitter.com/W6dE3Z39XS
— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2026
