Plans For Sami Zayn After Losing Undisputed WWE Championship

WWE

At WWE Night of Champions 2026, Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Just nine days later, Zayn lost the gold to CM Punk in Punk’s hometown of Chicago on the July 6 edition of WWE Raw.

Now that his long awaited first reign has ended abruptly, it should be interesting to see what will be next for Zayn moving forward.

Here are seven potential plans for Sami Zayn after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship.

7. Officially Turning Heel

For months, Sami Zayn has been undergoing what has seemed like a slow burn heel turn.

However, Zayn has remained adamant that he is still “The Last Real Good Guy” in WWE and will remain steadfast in his beliefs for his “Ride or Die” fans.

This all culminated with Zayn realizing his dream and winning the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions 2026.

With his run ending this soon, Sami might officially turn heel in a major way where he could continue to be a focal point on WWE SmackDown.

6. Spiraling Out Of Control

At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

This led to Zayn becoming erratic and frustrated most notably in his interactions with his friend Cody Rhodes.

Things only seemed to get worse with this unraveling of Zayn when he won the United States Championship, received boos from the fans for it, lost the title to Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42 and then got ridiculed with the Gingerbread Man mascot.

After winning a world title for the first time in a decade on the WWE main roster and losing it nine days later, Zayn could begin to truly spiral before the fans’ eyes and become an unhinged version of himself moving forward.

5. Rematch Against CM Punk At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

CM Punk made his big return in Chicago on the July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw.

Defeating Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, Punk now seems to be on his way to Friday Night SmackDown moving forward.

After taking the former champion by surprise, Punk might want to give Zayn another chance to win back the gold he cherished so much.

With the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event taking place on July 18 from Madison Square Garden, Punk defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Zayn would feel like a high profile headliner for this major show.

4. Trying To Weasel His Way Into Undisputed WWE Championship Match At SummerSlam 2026

Coming out of the July 6 edition of WWE Raw, it seems like plans are pointing to Sami Zayn being on the outside looking in on the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam 2026.

Zayn’s title reign ended in only nine days, but he has the excuse of preparing to face Cody Rhodes and getting CM Punk instead.

After he was attacked by GUNTHER before his earned title opportunity, Rhodes is due his shot at the gold and would make for an ideal opponent for Punk at SummerSlam 2026.

Seeing Zayn trying to weasel his way into his rematch for the gold at SummerSlam 2026 could make for a compelling story to watch unfold on Friday Night SmackDown over the next few weeks.

3. Starting A New Faction With Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae

Over the past few months, Sami Zayn has been vocal with his frustrations over the disrespect he receives from the fans and management.

The person who has become his closest friend, confidant and ear to listen to his feelings is Johnny Gargano.

Ever since losing Axiom’s mask and his DIY tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa, Gargano has found himself in a vegetative state face down backstage on WWE TV for months now.

With his wife needing something to snap him out of it, Candice LeRae could become a key catalyst to get Gargano out of his funk and bring him together with Zayn as a faction with this trio as the foundation.

2. Challenging Seth Rollins For His World Heavyweight Championship Shot Against Roman Reigns At WWE SummerSlam 2026

On the June 29 episode of WWE Raw, Seth Rollins confronted Roman Reigns in a heated exchange where he challenged his Shield brethren to one final battle for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2026.

While Rollins defeated Bron Breakker in a Steel Cage match at WWE Night of Champions, ‘The Visionary’ lost in the first round of the King of the Ring tournament.

Meanwhile, Zayn feels cheated out of the Undisputed WWE Championship and did not feel comfortable defending SmackDown’s top prize on Monday Night Raw.

Zayn challenging Rollins for his World Heavyweight Title shot against Reigns at SummerSlam 2026 could be his next move to take advantage of the mess that happened under Raw General Manager Adam Pearce’s watch.

1. Reuniting With The Bloodline

On the July 3 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Sami Zayn was confronted by Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso as potential contenders for his Undisputed WWE Championship.

When Uso came out and stated that he wanted his title to bring to the family, Zayn stated that the gold was already with the family, referencing his time in The Bloodline with Jey, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns.

Zayn reuniting with this version of The Bloodline would be bad news for every other WWE star on the roster right now.

With Reigns holding the World Heavyweight Championship and sitting atop of Raw, Zayn might be the best way for the Undisputed WWE Championship to be under their banner by having him rejoin the group and use their help to regain his title.

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