New champion’s celebration turns tense on SmackDown
Summary
– Sami Zayn warned Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso to stay away from his WWE Championship
– Cody congratulated Zayn before Jey made it clear he wanted the title for Bloodline business
– Adam Pearce announced Cody vs. Jey to determine Zayn’s next challenger on Raw
Sami Zayn’s first SmackDown appearance as Undisputed WWE Champion quickly turned from celebration to confrontation.
Zayn entered to a loud reaction after winning the championship in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He thanked the fans for their support, but he also reminded everyone that many of those same voices had booed him for months before his title win.
The new champion said he won the title his way and proved every doubter wrong. Zayn made it clear that becoming WWE Champion would change how history would remember him.
Cody Rhodes then came to the ring and congratulated Zayn, pointing back to the night Cody won the championship, and Zayn was there to celebrate with him. Zayn did not fully accept the gesture and accused Cody of wanting the title back.
Jey Uso followed, bringing more tension to the segment. Jey said he was proud of Zayn, but also told him he needed to bring the WWE Championship back to the family.
Zayn rejected both men’s advances and said the championship would stay with him. He reminded Cody that his opportunity had passed and told Jey that the title was already still in the family because Zayn held it.
Adam Pearce then changed the direction of the night. With Nick Aldis absent, Pearce announced that Zayn would defend the Undisputed WWE Championship on Raw.
Pearce also made Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso official for the SmackDown main event, with the winner earning the next shot at Zayn’s title. The announcement put immediate pressure on Zayn’s reign and gave SmackDown a major stakes match to close the show.
