Sami Zayn’s Next Undisputed WWE Championship Challengers

WWE

Sami Zayn is now a two-time Undisputed WWE Champion, winning back the gold on the September 11 edition of SmackDown.

With Zayn pinning CM Punk to once again reach the top of the WWE mountain, there have been a lot of rumors swirling already about his next feuds as champion.

From former rivals to competitors he has never faced on TV, it would make a lot of sense for these stars to target Zayn now he holds the top prize on SmackDown.

Here are five potential challengers for Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Championship.

Cody Rhodes

The end of Cody Rhodes’ most recent Undisputed WWE Championship reign marked the beginning of Sami Zayn’s first, with Zayn pinning Rhodes for the title in a three-way match also featuring GUNTHER at Night of Champions.

Rhodes and Zayn didn’t get to face off one-on-one with the title on the line, with CM Punk instead challenging for – and winning – the gold on the July 6 Raw episode, after Rhodes was attacked backstage ahead of the scheduled rematch.

With Randy Orton costing Cody Rhodes his title match against CM Punk at SummerSlam, we will likely see Rhodes return to the WWE Championship picture after he finishes up his feud with The Viper.

There’s a lot of unfinished business between Rhodes and Zayn, and a clash between the two stars feels inevitable.

GUNTHER

With all of the chaos in the Undisputed WWE Championship picture, it can be easier to forget that the GUNTHER vs Nick Aldis SummerSlam match happened because the Ring General felt like he had been screwed out of multiple title matches.

While he hasn’t challenged for the Undisputed WWE Title on TV since Night of Champions in June, GUNTHER has challenged for the gold on the non-televised house show circuit throughout the summer.

With GUNTHER challenging Punk at the Monterrey house show one night before Friday’s title change, we could be about to see the Ring General return to the title picture on WWE TV.

At WrestleMania 40, Sami Zayn became one of just a handful of WWE stars to defeat GUNTHER, ending his record-setting Intercontinental Championship reign. A rematch would give both men the opportunity to repeat or rewrite history.

Johnny Gargano

Sami Zayn and the Undisputed WWE Title both played key roles in getting Johnny Gargano back on his feet, with the former NXT Champion standing upright for the first time in months to challenge for Punk’s title on September 4.

Despite coming up short, Johnny Gargano has remained a key player in the Undisputed WWE Championship picture, notably interfering in CM Punk and Sami Zayn’s title match ahead of Zayn’s victory.

With Sami Zayn leaving Mexico as Undisputed WWE Champion, we could see Gargano have another shot at the gold, as he looks to take home SmackDown’s top prize.

Drew McIntyre

Sami Zayn has never defeated Drew McIntyre in a WWE singles match, with the current Undisputed WWE Champion having a 0-13 record against the Scottish Warrior.

With their last singles encounter seeing McIntyre retain the WWE Title against Zayn at Royal Rumble in January, we could see the duo face off in a rematch, this time with Zayn as champion.

Drew McIntyre hasn’t wrestled in almost five months, since losing to Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned match at WrestleMania 42.

When McIntyre does return, Sami Zayn will likely be at the top of his list of targets.

Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens challenged for CM Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship on the August 21 SmackDown episode, having earned this title match at SummerSlam.

Sami Zayn’s interference in this match paid dividends, with Zayn first attacking Punk, before striking Kevin Owens with the title belt to cost him the match.

Kevin Owens appeared to try to get his revenge during CM Punk and Sami Zayn’s title match on September 11, but inadvertently hit CM Punk with the belt and was dropped by a low blow from Sami Zayn before he could take Zayn out too.

With Owens’ interference leading to Sami Zayn winning the Undisputed WWE Championship, it doesn’t look like we’ll be waiting long to see Owens and Zayn face off again.

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• wwe
• Sami Zayn
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