Sami Zayn now knows what he has to do to attain another shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship. On the July 24 episode of SmackDown, the former champion confronted Adam Pearce. Zayn proclaimed WWE has treated him unfairly since losing the title. While he didn’t receive the instant rematch he wanted, he did earn a Number One Contender’s Match at SummerSlam.
Instead of his inclusion in the already announced CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes title match, a Fatal Four-Way Match on SmackDown determines his future opponent. The winner moves on to face Zayn for a future title shot.
Adam Pearce reveals Sami Zayn’s SummerSlam opportunity
The confrontation happened backstage while Cathy Kelley waited outside the trainer’s room for an update on Nick Aldis after Gunther attacked him.
Before the interview could begin, Zayn walked in and vented his frustrations. He talked about winning the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions, saying many people didn’t think he could do it. But he believes WWE never really wanted him to be champion.
He said the company put him in a tough spot by making him defend the title only a few days after winning it. Sami Zayn also complained that “golden boy” Cody Rhodes quickly became the No. 1 contender just because he said “just say when” to CM Punk earlier.
Zayn then mentioned Punk. He asserted WWE moved on to another top star when Rhodes was taken out of the title picture to keep its big SummerSlam main event intact. He also pointed out that Gunther got what he wanted by confronting Aldis. Meanwhile, he was left with nothing even though he had been WWE Champion only a few days ago.
Things got more heated when Pearce arrived to check on Aldis. Zayn stopped him and demanded his addition to the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam, turning it into a Triple Threat.
Pearce said no, explaining that the title match was already set. However, he told Zayn there was another way back to the championship.
Pearce announced that Trick Williams, Royce Keys, Finn Bálor, and Damian Priest would compete in a Fatal Four-Way Match later that night. The winner will face Zayn at SummerSlam in a Number One Contender’s Match. Whoever wins that match will become the next challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The announcement gave SummerSlam another big match and put Zayn back in the title hunt.
However, even after getting the opportunity, Sami Zayn expressed his dissatisfaction. He said he shouldn’t have to earn another title shot so soon after being champion.
Before leaving, he gave Pearce one final warning. He told him he didn’t want “any more shenanigans, any more surprises, or any funny business” at SummerSlam. Pearce agreed.
The No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying Match for Undisputed WWE Championship finally happened between Damian Priest, Finn Bálor, Royce Keys and Trick Williams.
The match was faced paced and very physical from the start. Interference from The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa and LA Knight changed the course of the match. At the end, Bálor and Priest were left in the ring.
Bálor delivered his Coup de Grace and won by pinfall. He will now face Sami Zayn in the No. 1 Contender’s match for the WWE championship at SummerSlam.
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