Sami Zayn‘s dream WWE title reign came to an unexpected end on RAW, just nine days after it began. Now, a new report may explain why WWE made that decision.
On the July 6 episode of RAW, CM Punk returned in his hometown of Chicago. He went on to defeat Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship. The victory paved the way for Punk’s eighth WWE world title and ended Zayn’s reign after only nine days.
The quick title change left many fans wondering why WWE gave Zayn the championship at Night of Champions only to take it away so soon.
Report explains why Sami Zayn’s title reign was so short
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said WWE’s view of Zayn as a top star likely influenced the decision.
According to Meltzer, WWE prefers to keep its biggest championship with the stars it believes draw the most money. Nevertheless, this does not mean that only top stars can stake their claim. Even popular wrestlers like Zayn occasionally get a short run with the title.
“I saw a lot of people upset about it and it was like, look, this is what it was going to be. You know that going in. They don’t really at this point in time, they do this for the undercard titles, they really don’t for the two major men’s titles…they aren’t really passing around belts now. They really are in the hands of the people who the perception is are the money players, and Sami is not in their mind one of those people. He could have been. There was a time where he was, but even then in their minds he still wasn’t because it’s like one of those things of they’re still all brainwashed by the cosmetics in a lot of ways, and that certain people are good hands but they can’t be the guy. And Sami is one of those guys in their minds that can’t be the guy,” Meltzer said (via Cultaholic Wrestling).
Looking ahead, CM Punk is expected to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2026, setting up one of the biggest matches of the year.
Read More: Sami Zayn’s WWE Title Win Was ‘Need to Know’ Basis, Raising Backstage Concern — Report
